The roundtable discussion titled “Iqbal: A Bridge between the East and the West” explored the intellectual, spiritual, and philosophical contributions of Allama Muhammad Iqbal and his relevance in connecting Eastern and Western civilizations. The event highlighted how poetry and philosophy serve as powerful forces for shaping moral consciousness, guiding societies, and restoring human dignity.
The discussion emphasized that true civilization is not defined by material progress or technological advancement, but by moral values, spiritual depth, and ethical responsibility. Iqbal was presented as a universal thinker who harmonized Eastern spirituality—rooted in Qur’anic wisdom, Sufi thought, and inner purification—with Western intellectual traditions such as scientific reasoning and philosophical inquiry.
A central concept in Iqbal’s philosophy is khudi (selfhood), which represents the development of a morally independent and spiritually aware individual. True freedom, according to Iqbal, begins with inner liberation from fear, imitation, and dependence, enabling individuals to act with dignity and responsibility.
The document also compares Iqbal with Sándor Pet?fi, a revolutionary poet whose work inspired political awakening and resistance. While Iqbal focused on spiritual and intellectual revival, Pet?fi emphasized action, freedom, and ethical struggle. Despite differences in style, both thinkers aimed to awaken human dignity, moral courage, and collective consciousness.
The discussion further highlighted that history should not be seen as a clash of civilizations but as a struggle between justice and oppression, dignity and exploitation. Poetry, in this context, becomes a tool for ethical awakening and national revival.
In conclusion, the legacies of Iqbal and Pet?fi demonstrate that freedom, dignity, spirituality, and moral responsibility are universal values. Their ideas continue to inspire cross-cultural dialogue, intellectual growth, and the pursuit of a more just and awakened human society.
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