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LAHORE, Nov 26 (APP): The Iqbal Academy Pakistan organised a special seminar titled “Lights of Iqbal Studies in Tunisia” along with the launch of Professor Dr. Mohamed Al-Arabi Bouazizi’s book, “Muhammad Iqbal: Fikra al-Dini wal-Falsafi” at the Academy library Aiwan-e-Iqbal on Wednesday.
The event was presided over by Chairman Tameer-i-Nau Trust Balochistan, Brigadier (retd) Abdul Jalil. The guest of honor was Professor Dr. Mohamed Al-Arabi Bouazizi, a translator of Iqbal’s Persian poetry from Zaytuna University, Tunisia. Dr. Abdul Rauf Rafique, Director Iqbal Academy Pakistan, delivered the vote of thanks. Other speakers included Professor Dr. Shah Ma’inuddin Hashmi, Chairman of Seerat Studies at Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, and Dr. Tahir Hameed Tanoli, Head of the Literature Department. The proceedings were translated by Professor Dr. Shah Junaid Ahmed Hashmi from International Islamic University, Islamabad.
In his keynote address, Professor Dr. Mohamed Al-Arabi Bouazizi introduced his book and highlighted that Iqbal’s works remain an integral part of the Tunisian curriculum. Students in Tunisia continue to study Asrar-e-Khudi and Javid Nama as academic texts. He described Iqbal as a symbol of self-realization and Islamic revival for the youth of Tunisia.
Professor Dr. Shah Ma’inuddin Hashmi stated that the reception of Iqbal’s thought in Tunisia demonstrates its universal appeal, and his philosophy represents a true reflection of the Prophetic Sunnah.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Abdul Rauf Rafique noted that the light of Iqbal studies in Tunisia has been shining since the 1930s, with Zaytuna University playing a key role in introducing Iqbal to the Arab world. The university organises annual conferences to promote Iqbal’s thought, and the papers presented are published and sent to the Iqbal Academy. The Academy has translated these papers into Urdu under the book “Muhammad Iqbal: Al-Istishraq wal-Mustashriqoon”, which will be published soon. An excerpt from the book has already appeared in both Urdu and English in the Academy’s research journal, Iqbal Review.
At the conclusion of the seminar, Dr. Abdul Rauf Rafique presented honorary shields to all distinguished guests. Following the event, Professor Dr. Mohamed Al-Arabi Bouazizi and Dr. Abdul Rauf Rafique visited Iqbal’s Mausoleum, laid a wreath, recited Fatiha, and paid tribute to the Poet of the East.