Srinagar, Apr 20: To pay tributes to renowned poet and intellectual, Dr Allama Iqbal on his 72nd death anniversary, a seminar was organized by Allama Iqbal Library in collaboration with Social and Development Studies in Ibn Kahaladoun auditorium at Kashmir University on Tuesday. 
 Scholars highlighted Dr Iqbal’s contribution and the relevance of his thought in present times. 
 The main theme of the seminar was “Iqbal’s Social Thought and Contemporary Problems.”
 Highlighting the seminar theme, senior columnist of Greater Kashmir, Z G Muhammad said, “I am general reader of one of the greatest thinkers of the East. Sometimes back I wrote that Kashmir during past 60-years had failed to throw up an icon- a lodestar- a guiding star that could become a rallying point-and on the basis of my understanding of Iqbal’s relevance of social and political thought I said that he will continue to be our guiding star for many more years till we produce a visionary leaders.” He said “I see Iqbal’s thoughts relevant to our contemporary situation. Most of our social problems are nothing, but very subtle manifestation of our political uncertainty in our state.”
 Greater Kashmir columnist, Ajaz-ul-Haque talked about certain aspects of Iqbal’s thought saying “Iqbal was not merely a poet, but we forget that he was primarily a poet and his certain ideas are time-bound, situation bound which necessarily can’t be relevant to the present age. But Iqbal’s appeal as the one who incites to think is of perennial relevance. But like all great minds he must be subjected to an intellectual scrutiny.”
 Hameeda Nayeem in her remarks said Iqbal was the best Muslim response to modernity in 20th century. She said “Iqbal’s was a creative engagement with the conceptual paradigm of modernism at a refined philosophical level through his prose levels.” She described Iqbal as a political and social reformer who rose up to his social responsibilities.
 In his address, G R Malik focused on the four main points looking at it from social, political and theological perspective and exploring his relevance to the contemporary problems.
 The welcome remarks were presented by Librarian Iqbal Library Kashmir University, Riyaz Rufai.
 Others who spoke include Dr Mufeed-ul-Zafar of Islamic studies, Dr Maroof Shah, GK columnist Dr Javeed Iqbal, Prof Hamid  Naseem Rafiabadi of Islamic studies, and Prof Bashir Ahmad Dar.
 Prominent who attended included Ghulam Nabi Gowhar, Prof. Noor Ahmed Baba, Dr. A Wahid, Dr. Mubarak Ahmed and University faculty members.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST