SIALKOT: Retired Justice Nasira Iqbal has stressed the need to promote Allama Iqbal’s vision and philosophy among the youth to counter terrorism, instead of leaving the interpretation of Islamic teachings to any individual or group.

She was addressing the seminar on Iqbaliyat, “Apna Muqam Paida Kar” at the University of Gujrat (UoG) Sialkot Campus on Friday.

Allama Iqbal’s relative Salman Soofi and his wife Aysha Salman were also present.

Ms Nasira highlighted various aspects of Iqbal’s poetry and philosophy of Khudi (self).

“We must confront militancy in society by following the teachings of Iqbal which could be the best tribute to him,” she said and lauded the UoG campus for launching the Imam Bibi Endowment Fund, named after the mother of Allama Iqbal for deserving students. She also recited some famous poems of the Poet of the East.

Aysha Salman, who is based in Russia, said Iqbal was the national poet of Pakistan but he had also enjoyed recognition in several other countries, including Russia.

UoG Sialkot campus chairman Faisal Manzur Malik and chief executive Rehan Younas and also spoke.

Later, Nasira Iqbal visited the 157-year-old Iqbal Manzil, the birthplace of Allama Iqbal, and showed keen interest in the rare pictures of Iqbal and his family and his personal letters displayed there. She was accompanied by the students of the Mass Communication Department of UoG campus.

Caretaker of Iqbal Manzil Syed Riaz Hussain Naqvi briefed Ms Nasira on the place.

Published in Dawn November 12th, 2016