September 29, 2002

“Gifted with the rare combination of the vision of a seer, the sympathetic understanding of a poet, and the intellectual acumen of a sage.” This is how the prominent educationist, Prof Mian Mohammad Sharif, described Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal in the first editorial of Iqbal, a quarterly journal.

This periodical commenced publication in July 1952 with Prof M. M. Sharif as its first editor with a view to promote the study of the life, poetry, and philosophy of the great thinker of the East. Research articles on subjects that were of interest to Iqbal such as Islamic studies, philosophy, sociology, literature and art were also to be included.

The journal’s issue that is under review is a special one marking the fiftieth year of its publication. Initially, two of the four issues in a year were brought out in English and two in Urdu. This pattern was later changed and now every issue is bilingual with sections in English and Urdu.

The commemorative issue carries a selection of already published articles as well as some new ones. Among the latter, K. A. Azam’s “Pakistan aur qiyam-i-jamhooriyat” happens to be of topical interest. According to the author, Western democracy not only protects capitalism but also works in the interest of the capitalists. He also maintains that militarism has always played a significant role in Muslim societies. Though the writer has not drawn any conclusions, he has chosen to drop some hints regarding the matter. “What ails the spirit of the East?” is an important article by Chaudhri Mohammad Ali, which has been reproduced from the first issue of the journal. Chaudhri Mohammad Ali, who later became the prime minister, was at that time the secretary general to the government of Pakistan. He advocates progress in the fields of science and technology, if the Muslims want to compete successfully with the West. He also says that over the centuries Islam has been misinterpreted to the extent that today most of the Muslims have lost confidence in the capacity of the faith to resolve the problems faced by Muslim societies.

This holds true even half a century later. The Muslims have neglected the study of science and technology. Thanks to our selfish rulers, religion has only bred extremism and intolerance rather than serving as an instrument of progress.

Iqbal (quarterly journal, special issue)
Edited by Prof Dr Ghulam Husain Zulfiqar
Bazm-i-Iqbal, 2 Club Road, Lahore.
350pp. Rs200

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