Iqbal’s thought remains vital for intellectual independence, national identity: speakers

ISLAMABAD, Nov 04 (APP):Speakers at an international conference on Allama Muhammad Iqbal on Wednesday emphasised the need to promote his intellectual and cultural legacy among younger generations.

The inaugural session of the two-day International National Iqbal Conference 2026 was organised by the National Language Promotion Department (NLPD) in collaboration with Women University Mardan at Aiwan-e-Urdu, Islamabad, bringing together eminent scholars, academics, diplomats and literary figures to discuss Iqbal’s philosophy, the concept of Khudi (selfhood), national identity and the relevance of his message in contemporary times.

Addressing the conference, Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Division Aurangzeb Khan Khichi said Iqbal’s intellectual legacy was an integral part of Pakistan’s national and cultural identity. He stressed the need for effective initiatives to take Iqbal’s message to younger generations through academic and literary activities.

He said sustainable development and economic prosperity could only be achieved by providing equal opportunities to women and youth, adding that a country’s development could not be viewed separately from its culture.

He also emphasised that the recommendations emerging from the conference should be translated into practical measures with the support of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), rather than remaining confined to academic discussions.

Vice Chancellor Women University Mardan Dr Razia Sultana, in her welcome address, said Iqbal had great expectations from young people and consistently taught them the lesson of selfhood and self-reliance.

She said Iqbal’s vision of a separate homeland for Muslims had taken shape in the form of Pakistan, while his poetry continued to remind Muslims of their greatness and inspire them towards self-confidence, purpose and intellectual growth.

She observed that Iqbal was not merely a poet but also a thinker, philosopher, economist and jurist, whose poetry and lectures introduced people to the true spirit of Islam and encouraged them to advance in knowledge and research while remaining connected to their cultural identity.

Director General NLPD Professor Dr Muhammad Saleem Mazhar said the conference aimed to highlight Iqbal’s thought and philosophy in an international academic context and create new opportunities for research and intellectual dialogue.

He said Iqbal’s message was not confined to a particular era but continued to promote intellectual independence and human awakening in national life. His ideas remained an important source of intellectual guidance for the younger generation, he added.

Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan Dr Reza Amiri Moghaddam highlighted the shared literary and cultural heritage of Pakistan and Iran, saying Iqbal’s Persian poetry had played an important role in strengthening intellectual, literary and cultural ties between the two countries.

He described Iqbal as a distinguished philosopher, political thinker and visionary whose ideas transcended geographical boundaries.

Although Iqbal never visited Iran, he had a profound understanding of its culture and intellectual traditions, which remained a source of pride for Iranians, he added.

Keynote speaker Barrister Waleed Iqbal, former senator, educationist, lawyer and grandson of Allama Iqbal, said the philosophy of Khudi encouraged individuals to recognise their abilities and pursue practical struggles, while Iqbal’s broader thought provided a foundation for national sovereignty and collective progress.

He stressed the need to promote Iqbal studies and intellectual research in universities to develop creativity, critical thinking and academic confidence among students.

Waleed Iqbal recommended reintroducing Allama Iqbal’s famous poem Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua in schools to familiarise children with his message from an early age.

Director Iqbal Academy Pakistan, Lahore, Dr Abdul Rauf Rafiqui emphasised the importance of preserving authentic texts, writings and intellectual contributions of Iqbal and making them accessible to younger generations.

President of the Department of Iqbaliyat, Islamia University Bahawalpur, Professor Dr Muhammad Rafiq-ul-Islam highlighted the historical contribution of literary journals that had published special editions on Iqbal.

The proceedings were conducted by Kiran Qamar of Women University Mardan and Tariq Bin Azad of NLPD.

The second session featured a discussion among vice chancellors of eight universities, while Muhammad Nabeel Abbas, who travelled from Lahore, presented Iqbal’s poetry in a melodious rendition.