ISLAMABAD: “A ministry of religious affairs was not part of the Quaid-e-Azam’s cabinet. It was created by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who put Maulana Kausar Niazi in charge of this ministry to deal with religious clerics,” renowned literary figure Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik said on Tuesday.

He was speaking at an event organised by the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) to commemorate the 77th death anniversary of poet philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

He said that religious clerics opposed the creation of Pakistan in the name of Islam and now they say Pakistan was made for Islam.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto created the ministry for the first time headed by Maulana Kausar Niazi

“They do not want Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam’s Pakistan,” he said.

Professor Malik said the clerics have received incentives from the gulf and are now calling for the protection of the Harmain Sharifain (holy sites in Saudi Arabia).

“Under the guise of protecting Harmain Sharifain, the real aim of safeguarding the monarchy in Saudi Arabia is being pursued. These clerics do not care for the country’s best interest,” he said.

Professor Malik reminded the audience that in 1947, when the Quaid-e-Azam formed a committee to carry out land reforms in the country, 100 clerics gave verdicts against land reforms, terming them ‘Haram’.

Professor Malik said Iqbal philosophised about the idea of Pakistan, so he is also the founder of the country along with Jinnah.

“Iqbal’s philosophy is the subject of doctorates in Pakistan and this is contributing towards a greater understanding of his ideas,” he said.

He informed the audience that a former Iranian president called Iqbal ‘the poet of Iran’ because his ideas were being implemented in Iran, as well.

Dr Shahid Iqbal Kamran, who read a paper on Allama Iqbal, said Pakistan was at war with those trying to hijack her culture and ideology.

“Arabs never gave up on some customs, even after accepting Islam. However, efforts are being made to distance Pakistanis from the 5,000-year-old culture of their region,” he said.

Dr Kamran said Iqbal was declared an ‘infidel’ because he talked about people’s rights and sovereignty.

“The clerics of his time, boycotted Iqbal,” he said.

He said when Pakistan came into being, it was declared to be the ‘fortress of Islam’.

“We must understand that only wars are fought in fortresses and peaceful societies do not fortify themselves,” he said.

He called for an embracing of the region’s pre-Islamic culture and reminded the audience that many Muslim nations, such as Iran, continue to celebrate their pre-Islamic roots.

He said that according to a survey in 1990, the true ideology and philosophy of Iqbal is not discussed in any textbook.

PAL Chairman Qasim Bogio said Iqbal’s poetry is appreciated in both Pakistan and Iran, which is testament to his greatness.

In Rawalpindi, the death anniversary of Pakistan’s national poet Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal was observed at the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) with a tableau and singing completion.

The participants were required to present Iqbal’s work in the form of songs or tableau performances. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz local leader Dr Jamal Nasir, Jinnah Iqbal Fikri Forum Chairman Abdul Baqi and office-bearers of Private School Management Association attended the event and poets Aftab Zia and S.M. Tanvir Nusrat adjudicated the competition.

Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony, Dr Jamal Nasir said the new generation must be introduced to Iqbal’s philosophy which could serve as a source of inspiration for them.

Jinnah Iqbal Fikri Forum Chairman Rana Abdul Baqi said that Iqbal must be discussed in schools and colleges.

RAC Resident Director Waqar Ahmed said the competition had been organised to introduce young people to Iqbal’s work.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2015

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