A British love affair with Arabia

Allama Iqbal, one of the tallest poets and philosophers Asia has produced, had been endlessly fascinated by the rise and fall of the Muslims.

He had been preoccupied with the issue in both his Urdu and Persian poetry collections, both incredibly rich in their range and language. When it comes to the breadth of vision, foresight and grandeur of ideas and thought, no one comes close to the man claimed by both India and Pakistan. The much exploited Saare jahan se achcha Hindustan hamara is just one gem from his repertoire. I have been constantly reminded of the poet philosopher and what he once said about the Arabs while singing my way through Sir Wilfred Thesiger’s “Arabian Sands”. Iqbal passionately believed in the Islamic renaissance and argued that the rejuvenation of the civilization that ruled the world for nearly a thousand years would start in its birthplace at the hands of desert Arabs.

Iqbal made the prediction at a time of great turmoil and utter chaos in the Muslim world after the collapse of the Ottoman caliphate. I’ve often wondered what exactly Iqbal had in mind when he pitched for the Arabs at a time when they seemingly offered no hope for optimism. Thesiger’s Arabian Sands offers the answer. Iqbal believed that the world would rediscover the glory of Islam when the Arabs rediscover their roots and their original simplicity, honesty and the courage that once endeared them to the world. Arab traders who took on high seas with their primitive boats and traversed the world on horseback promoted their new faith and worldview not at the sword point, as some choose to believe, but with their actions and the way they conducted themselves. 

Full report here Arab News

Iqbal's 72nd death anniversary observed

The 72nd death anniversary of Poet of the East Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal was observed on Wednesday, April 21, with due reverence and solemnity.

To mark the day, special programmes, seminars, debate competitions and Quran Khawani was held for Allama Iqbal at various places throughout the country wherein his services were highlighted.

In City besides others, a special programme was held at Aiwan-e-Karkunan Tehreek-e-Pakistan under the aegis of Nazria Pakistan Trust (NPT) and Tehreek-e-Pakistan Workers Trust. The great philosopher, visionary and one of the most prominent leaders of the All India Muslim League, Allama Iqbal encouraged creation of a “state in north-western India for Muslims” in his 1930 presidential address at Allahbad. After studying in England and Germany, he started law practice, but concentrated primarily on writing scholarly works on politics, economics, history, philosophy and religion.

He died on April 21, 1938 at the age of 60. Bang-e-Dara, Baal Jabreel, Zarb-e-Kaleem and Payam-e-Mashriq were his great books. Allama Iqbal was best known for his poetic works, including Asrar-e-Khudi which brought knighthood.

Full report here Nation

Related news:
Iqbal death anniversary observed‎  Pakistan Observer
72nd death anniversary of Allama Iqbal observed with reverence  Pakistan Times
'Iqbal's message ray of hope for humanity'  Daily Times