Pakistan - Sri Lanka Friendship Association Commemorates
Dr. Allama Iqbal, the greatest poet of Pakistan
The Pakistani Philosopher, Sage, and the Great poet, Dr. Allama Iqbal is a living legend in the minds of the people even-though he is no more, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader and Minister of Justice, Rauff Hakeem observed. Minister Hakeem noted that Dr Allama Iqbal is a visionary in his day who foreseen the creation of Pakistan for the Muslim community which suffered enough under the colonial subjugation. Hakeem described Allama Iqbal as the philosopher of the 19th century.
The messages of the fame and yeoman service rendered by Dr. Allama Iqbal has reached even the tiny hamlets in Sri Lanka. Minister Hakeem said naming a village on Kantale Muttur road as Iqbal Nagar and another village as Asath Nagar is testimony to his legacy. Several books of Allama Iqbal have been translated in to various languages, Minister Hakeem added. Addressing the Allama Iqbal day celebrations and the prize giving ceremony of Pakistan Essay Competition organized by the Pakistan - Sri Lanka Friendship Association, he said in today’s context Muslims need to get the trust of the majority community. Hence the thoughts of Allama guide us in this regards he further added.
Mr. Hakim who took part in the deliberations as the Chief Guest has further noted that, Dr. Allama Iqbal’s fame remains among the Muslims who live in countries such as India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. In his poems he expressed the needs of the Muslims. In today’s context Muslims need to get the trust of the majority community. Hence the thoughts of Allama provide guidance in this regards he further added.
The winners of the Pakistan Essay competition received SL Rs. 10,000, Rs. 6000, and Rs 4000 as 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions respectively. These prizes were given to the successful winners in each of the categories of English, Sinhala and Tamil languages.
Addressing the event the Attorney General Mohan Peiris said that at the very outset Iqbal showed a remarkable leaning towards philosophy that had caught the attention of his teacher, Sir Arnold who took him to Cambridge University for higher education. Later went to Munich University in Germany from where he earned a PhD for his work on metaphysics. Iqbal was an awakener of humanity. His message is universal and to the entire humanity. His rank among the immortals of history is unquestionable. He holds the same place in the line of the world's greatest poets as has been held by Homer, Jalaludeen Rumi, Dante, Shakespeare, Milton and Goethe. The poet of Iqbal is a contribution to human thought and an embodiment of definite mission that is noble innovating.
While speaking on the occasion the Counsellor of Pakistani High Commission, Kaiser Chaudhary said that Allama Iqbal the academician, politician, lawyer, social reformer and a thinker, stressed the integrity not only in the country but also with every nation in the world. Iqbal’s message of ‘Khudi’ (self actualization), ‘Mard – e - Momen; (The true Muslim) and Shaheen (The Eagle) Is so deep that each and every sense require lot of deliberation to understand the real meanings. But Iqbal’s message is not for the Muslims only. His vision about democracy, his message to the youth, his advice for national integration and his messages on many other aspects of life are for all the people and all the nations. He was not only a philosopher but also a politician and a social activist. He played conspicuous service not only to literacy but also to politics, he added.
