December 30, 2002	Monday	Shawwal 25, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: Speakers paid glowing tribute to poet of the East Allama Mohammad Iqbal and urged the governments of the entire Muslim world to follow his principles to face the US-led onslaught against Muslim world.

Participants of a seminar on “Allama Iqbal”, co-organized by Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and Cultural Consulate, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, highlighted various facets of Iqbal’s personality.

They said the time has come when leaders of the Muslim countries needed to embark upon a joint strategy against the western world as urged by Allama Iqbal in his books.

They also said Allama Iqbal during his life supported the then movements for independence, be it in the sub-continent or in Africa.

The National Language Authority chairman, Prof Fateh Mohammad Malik, speaking on the occasion said, until the Muslim world remained under the shadow of the US, it would suffer humiliation at the hands of western powers.

Referring to the ongoing unilateral America’s stance on Iraq, Prof Malik said: “We have to revert to the teachings of our philosophers such as Allama Iqbal both by the national leaders as well as individuals.”

He said Iqbal believed in breaking the chain of slavery to live honourable lives.

Prof Malik also came hard on Sheikhdoms of the Middle East which, he claimed, being “remote-controlled” by the US for its vested interests.

Prof Raza Mustafvi, culture counsellor at the Iranian embassy said Iqbal always believed in continuous struggle and despite his peace loving personality, respected those communities who strived to get independence.

“According to Allama Iqbal human beings are born independent and have the right to live in whatever manner they like”, Prof Raza said.

He said Allama Iqbal not only impressed Muslim societies through his writings but also people with rational thinking all over the world.

He said, Allama Iqbal was equally known in Iran as in Pakistan.

Ahmad Masjid Jami, minister for culture in Iran, in his message read out at the seminar said: “Though Allama Iqbal lived in Europe for quite some time, he never let its values affect his Islamic disposition and kept on propagating the Islamic values.”

Afghan information minister Dr Syed Makhdoom Raheen who was also present on the occasion said: “Any seminar on Iqbal can not be complete unless there is representation from Afghanistan.”