PU produces largest encyclopedia on Iqbaliyat

Lahore: Punjab University Iqbal Chair has completed a mega research project on Iqbaliyat after a research work of 12 years and has produced the largest encyclopedia on Iqbaliyat covering all the major concepts introduced by the Poet of the East and the Thinker of Pakistan Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

In this regard, a launching ceremony of third and final part of “Daira Muarif-e-Iqbal” was organized at Sherani Hall of Oriental College, Old Campus. PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran presided over the ceremony while Dean Faculty of Oriental Learning and Principal Oriental College Prof Dr Issmattullah Zahid, Prof Dr Syed Muhammad Akram Shah, Dr Khawaja Muhammad Zakrya, Dr Zahur Ahmed Azhar, Dr Muhammad Saleem Akhter, Dr Raffi-u-Din Hashmi, Dr Mazhar Moeen, Dr Moeen Nizami, Dr Muhammad Kamran, Dr Nusrat Yasmin Nisar, Syed Maghoob Hussain, faculty members and a large number of students were present on the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr Mujahid Kamran congratulated Prof Dr Syed Akram Shah and editorial team on completing the gigantic research project on the philosophy and concepts of Allama Iqbal. Dr Kamran said that the poetry of Iqbal clearly narrated the linkage between the universe and its Creator. He said that Iqbal’s poetry inspired various regions and countries and penetrated into the bodies and souls. He advised the students to adopt reading habits because Iqbal had said that the Muslims would be assigned the duty to lead the world. He called upon the rulers to provide subsidy on books so that reading habits could be promoted.

Dr Khawaja Muhammad Zakriya said that Allama Iqbal had written in three languages including English, Urdu and Persian and also wished to write in Arabic language in the last part of his age. He advised the students to understand terminology used in Allama Iqbal’s poetry in its true spirit. He said that Iqbal wanted change and end to status-co. He said that Iqbal had also used the word of evolution besides revolution.

Dr Syed Akram Shah said that the three parts of “Daira Muarif-e-Iqbal” covered 372 basic and important concepts related to the philosophy of Allama Iqbal and it was the largest encyclopedia on Iqbaliyat. He thanked PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran for providing all-out support for completing this research project. Dr Ismatullah Zahid and Rafi uddin also lauded the efforts of Dr Syed Akram Shah and congratulated him on this achievement.