Based on Islamic teachings, people discarded the biases against other traditions or religions and spreading such ideas was a big contribution of Iqbal. He found the universal standard that can bring humanity out of deterioration. Iqbal says the one who is denying creativity is actually a non-believer. Without knowledge, even truth cannot be proved as truth. Muslims should be advance in science and technology as the same has been repeatedly emphasized in Holy Quran that the universe is subdued for human being. Islam teaches one to use dialogue to start any aspect of life and tolerate ideas of others. We have to start our conversations by ‘Assalam o Alaikum’ which means ‘peace be upon you’.

Differences in narrative and history have given rise to pessimism and then to extremism. We have to eliminate the fabricated ideas that are present in our society. We Muslims have to analyse ourselves that how much contribution we have in modern world in terms of knowledge. We can progress in the world only by making progress in science and technology. Today unfortunately we are consumers of modern inventions and not the inventors of new technologies or inventions. We should seek knowledge instead of limiting ourselves only to information.

Today although it is an era of information technology but there are many questions and confusions in the mind of people especially youth regarding religion and ideology. Even on Iqbal’s appreciation we are divided because we don’t have time and events to discuss and properly analyze it. Public discourse and public discussion is needed. Iqbal addressed the youth in his message as youth is the future of a nation. For our social reforms Iqbal asked to free our intellect from all kinds of fear, barriers and slavery and by doing so, youngsters can become leaders of the nation. Iqbal wanted revolution in one’s character because Holy Prophet (PBUH) presented his life first and showed the character before preaching Islam.

Pakistan movement was sub-Continent’s first Ijtihadi political movement in order to form a separate sovereign state for Muslims of India. For this movement, Iqbal supported Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah who was a moderate and educated personality. Thus Quaid’s personality gives the idea of what was the concept of Pakistan in mind of Iqbal. Iqbal talked about ideological states especially when one nation has its own culture, society and history. In this perspective, Iqbal described two nation theory. Iqbal was against feudalism but unfortunately we are still engulfed in it. Spiritual democracy described by Iqbal aside, we are even far away from western democracy. In a Muslim society, even western democracy can bring a lot of change. We have to act upon teachings of Iqbal otherwise we cannot face the modern world with success. According to Iqbalian vision, parliament should have responsibility of Ijtihad because by doing so, experts of different fields and general public would be engaged whereas the supreme sovereignty belongs to Allah Almighty. Iqbal discussed the link between Allah, man and universe and described the role of human in the dynamic world which is changing with every moment.

Iqbal had special affiliation with Afghanistan and he paid visits there. He presented the idea of Afghanistan as ‘heart of Asia’ and that the peace and prosperity of Asia is dependent on that of Afghanistan. Today this idea has been proven right and its practical form is in the process to promote understanding and cooperation in the region and upcoming meeting of heart of Asia ministerial conference in this regard would be held in Islamabad in this year hosted by Pakistan government. Afghan nation also has great admiration and affiliation with Iqbal. His message remains an important link between people of the whole region. As per Iqbal’s concept, the economic prosperity and land bridge between Eurasia, Central Asia, South Asia, China and in West Asia Iran and Middle East are under focus. Iqbal also predicted about rise of China and the current era is witnessing that his predictions are coming to be true. Iqbal was not against Arabs as they have great contributions in past. Iqbal talked about getting rid of imperialism. We need reforms in our educational institutions to teach the true spirit of Iqbal and motivate youth to play their role in society. Continuous discourse and discussions on the teachings of Iqbal is needed.

Interactive Session

During the interactive session speakers, panelists discussed and replied different questions asked by the participants. The speakers discussed that:-

When Pakistan came into being we were having opportunities to progress but unfortunately Quaid died in 1948 and we moved away from our track. Today in our society, people want to educate their children up to the extent whatever they can afford but the opportunities are limited and language barrier is one of big obstacles in their way.

We need to utilize our brain and play our role for betterment of society. Iqbal said to create one’s own world by using the creativity. Wrong quotations in the name of Iqbal on social media and negative propaganda against him can be dealt by propagating his real message. We should teach our youth about our literature and heritage including Iqbal’s poetry, lectures and letters. True inspirational poetry of Iqbal should be taught in our institutions instead of few traditional poems.

In Pakistan people don’t vote to extremists and it is a big impact of Iqbal’s philosophy. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a creativity of Pakistani society and it is Iqbal’s ideology that youth of classical families in Pakistan is singing Sufi poetry even in the presence of modern music. These things indicate the potential of our youth as well as effect of Iqbal’s message. Allam Iqbal is exceptional today as he was exceptional in his lifetime. We need to apply Iqbal’s message on ourselves to deal with the problems of Muslims.