A SURVEY OF THE ENGLISH NEWSPAPERS OF PAKISTAN DURING 1955
Dr. Nadeem Shafiq Malik

In addition to Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (1876-1948), Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938) is rightly regarded as the founding father of Pakistan. Throughout his life span and even after his demise, his indebted community has shown unparalleled respect and admiration for him. The tendency reached its apex after the establishment of Pakistan, when Iqbal Day celebrations used to be observed with great dedication. The English dailies of Pakistan have also contributed a lot in that endeavour. This is the fifth in the series of surveys that the present author has made.[*] We have made an attempt to trace all such functions as reported in the English newspapers of Pakistan during 1955. It is hoped that this endeavour would reveal, at least to a considerable extent, the perceptions of the great seer and statesman found in the Pakistani journalism and the perspectives that underlie these perceptions.

●In 1955, The Pakistan Times published the first news concerned with Allama Iqbal, which appeared on January 21, 1955. It was the text of an appeal issued by the President and the Council of the Iqbal Academy, requesting to all lovers of Allama Iqbal to donate liberally for the building of the Iqbal Academy, which would be constructed in Karachi to commemorate the name of Allama Iqbal and to create a centre for propagating his message. It was stated that the government had already contributed a sum of Rs one lac for that purpose and a further sum of Rs five lacs was to be collected within three months. The statement pointed out that the message of Iqbal was a powerful appeal to all men to rise above the bounds of caste, creed, or colour and if properly understood and disseminated, it was an effective remedy for the ills that affect humanity at present.1

●On the same day, The Pakistan Times reported that Hussain Khatibi, a member of the Iranian good will mission then visiting Pakistan, while addressing the students of the Urdu College, Karachi paid glowing tributes to Allama Iqbal and his poetry in course of his speech. Khatibi, the first Iranian scholar to analyse Iqbal’s poetic style and substance, observed that Iqbal and Hafiz were two most difficult poets to understand.2

●On March 12, 1955, The Pakistan Times while giving coverage to King Hussain of Jordan’s visit to Lahore informed that King paid glowing tributes to Iqbal’s genius while addressing a garden party at Shalimar. Next day, the King’s tributes took a more traditional form. He visited the burial place of Allama Iqbal, offered fatiha, and spread a ‘chadar’ over the mazar. The King was earlier introduced to the members of Central Iqbal Committee who presented him a specially bound set of the work of the Allama Iqbal.3

●The Pakistan Times in its issue of March 13, 1955 communicated that the Iqbal Academy, Karachi was making efforts to collect and preserve in the Academy all available writings of Iqbal in his own handwriting. They included his letters and manuscripts of his books as well as all old editions of Iqbal’s works and everything written by Iqbal and on Iqbal up to date in old journals, newspapers or out of print books.4

Commenting on the move sponsored by the Iqbal Academy to collect and preserve the poet’s letters, manuscripts and writings, The Morning News, Karachi in its editorial entitled “Iqbal Academy” observed that it deserved spontaneous public response. The paper observed that it would be a befitting tribute to the memory of the dreamer of Pakistan, if individuals, who possess such material, place it at the disposal of the Academy ungrudgingly. Regretting that similar appeals in the past by some provincial governments had failed to evoke the desired response, the paper hoped that no such sordid display of selfishness would repeat itself when Iqbal was concerned and public conscience would triumph over private interest.5

●With the start of month of April, the English newspapers started giving extensive news about Iqbal Day preparations going on in different parts of the country, which are described in the following pages. The Civil & Military Gazette in its issues of April 4, 1955 informed that a joint preparatory Committee for the celebration of the death anniversary of Allama Iqbal on April 21 was formed at Dacca in a meeting of the representatives of local cultural and student organisations. The paper further informed that the programme included a symposium on the life, philosophy, and literature of Allama Iqbal, recitation of his poems and a variety performance.6

●On April 11, 1955, The Pakistan Times informed that the Pakistan Bengali-Urdu Fellowship Association of Dacca had invited essays from the students of universities, colleges, and schools of Pakistan on the death anniversary of Allama Iqbal. ‘Philosophy of Iqbal’ had been given as the subject matter of the essay, which should be written in Bengali or Urdu. It was further announced that two prizes would be awarded to the successful competitors.7

●The Pakistan Times and The Civil & Military Gazette in their issues of April 11, 1955, published a statement issued by Khawaja Abdur Rahim and Agha Shorish Kashmiri, Secretaries of the Central Iqbal Committee. It stated that Abdul Hussain Masud, Iranian Ambassador in Pakistan and Raja Sahib Mahmoodabad would preside over, two sessions of a programme of lectures and speeches being organised in Lahore on April 21 in connection with the Iqbal Day. On the occasion, papers and speeches would be read or delivered among others by A. K. Brohi, Muhammad Baqir, Syed Nazir Niazi, Salahuddin and Shahid Razzaqi. It was further revealed that the Aligarh Old Boys Association, Lahore, and Lahore Municipal Corporation were also collaborating with the Central Iqbal Committee in the Iqbal Day celebrations.8

●On April 15, 1955, The Civil & Military Gazette gave further details of the combined effort made by the literary and cultural associations of Dacca to celebrate Iqbal Day in a befitting manner. The paper informed that at a meeting of their representatives held under the presidentship of S. M. Ikram, Commissioner Dacca Division, it was decided that apart from other functions, arranged by the individual organisations, a representative meeting would be held at Curzon Hall on April 21 to be presided over by Shahabuddin, the Governor of East Pakistan. A sub-committee of six, with S. M. Ikram, as convenor, was formed to make detailed arrangements for the meeting. Other members of the committee included M. Hassan, Mujibur Rahman Khan, Kavi Ghulam Mustafa; Abdul Rab Chaudhry and Sufia Kamal. The paper further informed that Anjuman-i-Taraqqi-i-Urdu was also arranging an Iqbal Day mushaira.9

●On April 16, 1955, The Pakistan Times informed that local literary ‘anjumans’ including the Multan Academy were making arrangements to observe ‘Iqbal Day’ at Multan on April 21. It was further stated that prominent poets and educationists were expected to recite poems and read papers on the great poet.10

●On April 17, 1955, The Civil & Military Gazette and The Morning News, Karachi revealed that the Central Organising Committee of the Pakistan Suba Sena had called upon its units and the juvenile community all over Pakistan to observe Iqbal Day to mark the death anniversary of Allama Iqbal in a befitting way. The paper further communicated that the Organising Committee of the Narayangang Sahitia Majlis, at a meeting also decided to observe Iqbal Day at Narayangang.11

●The Pakistan Times and The Civil & Military Gazette in their issues of April 18, 1955 informed that Iqbal Day would be observed by Jamia Talime Milli, Malir on April 22 under the presidentship of Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar.12

●On April 19, 1955, The Pakistan Times disclosed that the Aligarh Old Boys Association would organise a ‘mushaira’ in the Town Hall on Iqbal Day with Justice Khurshid Zaman in chair.13

●Iqbal Day was observed at Lahore with great enthusiasm. The Civil and Military Gazette, The Pakistan Times, The Times of Karachi, Dawn, The Pakistan Standard, The Khyber Mail, and The Morning News, Karachi reported that with the break of dawn a large number of Lahore citizens paid homage to the memory of Allama Iqbal and offered fatiha at his mazar. Moreover, wreaths of flower were laid on his grave and the Qur’an was recited. Among those who prayed for the soul of Allama Iqbal at his grave were the Indian Food Minister, A. P. Jain, and Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan, the Pakistan High Commissioner in India. The Punjab Government organised a Iqbal Day meeting in the Punjab University where the Punjab Education Minister Chaudhry Ali Akbar Khan (1911-1967)14 presided. The speakers included Abdul Majid Salik, Syed Abid Ali Abid, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Shiekh Attaullah, Muhammad Masud, and Ashfaq Ali Khan while Hafiz Jallundari recited his poems on Iqbal.15 ►Syed Abid Ali Abid and Ashfaq Ali Khan read their papers on the poetry of Allama Iqbal. Abid Ali read his article entitled ‘Talemeehat-i-Iqbal’ in which he described how Iqbal made use of allusions to make his poetry more expressive. ►Abdul Majid Salik read a paper on Syed Mir Hasan Shah of Sialkot, the tutor of Allama Iqbal. He punctuated his talk with a number of incidents depicting the high sense of humour and superior knowledge of oriental languages of Mir Hasan. He observed that Allama Iqbal was very much devoted to Mir Hasan and respected him all his life. ►In his short speech, Faiz Ahmed Faiz also narrated incidents from the life of Syed Mir Hasan Shah, who was his teacher as well at Sialkot for some time. He also recited his old poem on Iqbal, which he had composed on the day of Iqbal’s death.16 ►M. Masud Secretary Agriculture, Punjab in his speech said that the keynote of Iqbal’s teachings was ‘fearlessness’. He said that Iqbal gave his message to the nation when it was living in a state of terror under the British regime. The message helped restore confidence among the Muslim masses and equipped them to fight for a homeland for them. ►At the conclusion of the session, which was attended by a large gathering, including Hindu and Sikh visitors from India, Chaudhry Ali Akbar, said that the message of Iqbal should be read and re-read so that the spirit he wanted to infuse in the Muslim nation is properly imbibed.17

●The Central Iqbal Committee, in collaboration with the Aligarh Old Boys Association, and Lahore Municipal Corporation held two sessions in the Town Hall, Lahore. ►Presiding over the morning session, Justice S. A. Rehman said that Iqbal Day should serve as a stocktaking day for the nation. He advised the people to review their individual and collective actions and see whether they had acted on the teachings of Allama Iqbal. He advised his audience to do their own duties honestly in their respective fields in accordance with the teachings of Iqbal, which derived their strength from Islam.18 ►Khawaja Manzur Hussain (1904-1986)19 Principal Government College, Lahore read a paper on the interplay of emotion and thought in Iqbal’s poetry. The paper dealt at some length with Iqbal’s passion for harmonizing intellectual perceptions with sense feelings. ►Muhammad Baqir, in his paper ‘Iqbal and the social order’ claimed that Iqbal had chosen to be known as a thinker rather than a poet. His choice was justified as he had now come to be known as the greatest thinker of the Islamic world of this century. Iqbal, he said, expressed himself in favour of a particular order based on Islam, and strove to establish that order. ►Salahuddin Ahmed is his article ‘Iqbal aur Subh-o-Sham’ said that Iqbal was attracted by nature, but his attachment to it was not of the kind Wordsworth, Shelley or Keats had. He never lost himself in nature but managed to retrace. He found himself attached to man among the manifestations of nature.20

●The evening session was held under the presidentship of A.K. Brohi (1915-1987)21.►Speaking on the occasion, Agha Shorish Kashmiri said that nation-building was possible if the masses accepted Iqbal as their guide-philosopher and did not only enjoy his verses as coming from a poet. Iqbal, he said, was a thinker who left a positive message for the nation. It was essential that the masses should mould their character according to the indications available in his poetry and should seek inspiration from the glory of the past, reflected in his poetry. He urged the people to re-dedicate themselves to the pattern of life set forth by Iqbal. He also moved a resolution calling upon the Pakistan Government to declare April 21, the anniversary of Iqbal’s death, as a national holiday in Pakistan. The resolution was unanimously adopted by the meeting.22 ►A. K. Brohi in his presidential speech said that the only way to pay tribute to the memory of Iqbal was to pursue with due diligence that course of conduct which might be in accord with the historic mission of the poet. He observed that Iqbal employed poetry as an instrument for soliciting action, or rather he used it as a lover for raising the Muslim nation to a level of consciousness where they could more clearly perceive their destiny and having perceived it to pursue it within the frame work of their historic predicament.23 He observed that for him Iqbal is no ordinary poet of the conventional type. He is a reformer par excellence and he uses the God given gift of poetical expression and philosophical insight in awakening man to his sense of responsibility. He teaches the supremacy of moral values; he is never weary of admonishing as never to surrender our moral manhood at the alter or what might appear to be mere expedient and altering course of conduct. He observed that to be a real admirer of Iqbal one had to be a diligent crusader in the cause of Pakistan.24

●The Aligarh Old Boys Association also arranged a post- dinner mushaira with well-known poets participating.25

●The APWA Lahore branch also celebrated Iqbal Day. Prominent workers of the Association including Begum Ijaz Hussain Shah (President), Begum Masood Sadiq, Begum Enwar Ali, and Zara Hassan visited the tomb of Allama Iqbal, placed wreaths, and offered ‘fatiha’.26

●In the federal capital, Karachi, several largely attended meetings were held where distinguished speakers made fervent appeals to the nation to trail the path blazed by Iqbal and put his inspiring message into practice. The Morning News, Karachi, Dawn, The Pakistan Standard, The Times of Karachi, and The Civil and Military Gazette duly covered the functions.

●The Governor General of Pakistan Ghulam Muhammad, who was the patron-in-chief of Iqbal Academy, in his message to the Academy on Iqbal Day, which was prominently published by all English dailies, paid glorious tributes to the memory of the “great seer whose immortal message became the trumpet call for the revival of Islam and the birth of Pakistan.” “In the world of thought,” said Ghulam Muhammad, “he is one of the few master minds whose message has inspired humanity to dynamic action. In reconstructing Islamic thought, he emphasised the brotherhood of man and spurned provincialism and parochialism.” Proclaiming that Iqbal would be a perennial source of inspiration to Pakistan, Ghulam Muhammad urged that “let us therefore dedicate ourselves afresh today to the spirit of his message which is in essence the message of the Quaid-i-Azam, Faith, Unity and Discipline”.27

●Presiding over a mammoth meeting at Jahangir Park, Mahmood Husain exhorted the people to work steadfastly for the consolidation of Pakistan by translating Iqbal’s message in their day-to-day life. This was the best homage one could pay to the poet, he said. He observed that the immortal message of Iqbal was not confined to the Muslims of the sub-continent alone but was to the entire Muslim world.28 ► Speaking on the occasion, Abdul Hamid Badayuni said that Iqbal gave a new message to the Muslims by calling them “back to the Qur’an” for their guidance and glory. He suggested the setting up of a small committee to conduct research in the teachings of Iqbal and popularise it throughout the world. ►Rashid Turabi in his speech said that Iqbal was the first Muslim thinker who asked the Muslims to create a new world order. Iqbal wanted Muslims to be powerful and strong. ►Earlier, Adeeb Shaharanpuri (d.1963)29 recited a poem befitting the occasion.30

●Presiding over another ‘Iqbal Day’ meeting at the Maqbool-i-Aam High School, Sardar Amir Azam Khan (1914-1976)31, Minister of State for Refugees and Rehabilitation, paid glowing tributes to the memory of the poet of the East whom he styled as not only a great poet but a great thinker and constructive seer. He said that from the very beginning, Iqbal had the betterment and amelioration of humanity at heart. He spent his entire life striving for human progress with the declared aim that humankind should lead a comfortable and carefree existence. He said that Iqbal’s message was immortal and international. He exhorted the people to understand his message and translate his ideals into reality. He also threw light on various aspects of the life of the great poet and his contributions towards the establishment of Pakistan.32

●Karachi Bar Association also held an Iqbal Day meeting where glowing tributes to the memory of Allama Iqbal were paid. ►Malik Shareh-ud-Din presided over the meeting, which was addressed among others by several advocates including Asghar Ali who threw light on various aspects of the life of Allama Iqbal.33

●Another Iqbal Day meeting was held at Karachi YMCA where Sheikh Ahmed (1915-1986)34, former Principal of Lahore Mayo School of Arts was the chief speaker. He observed that creativeness, love and ego or khudi were the main pillars of Iqbal’s philosophy of art. Talking of Iqbal’s concept of art, Shiekh Ahmed said that Iqbal as a philosopher preached action and was against the idealistic inaction of such Sufis who regarded this world as illusion. Self-restriction, self-expression, and self-expansion play an important role in the life of an artist, he said.35 Sheikh Ahmed continued that in order to detect the personality, an artist must follow the path of struggle and strife as according to Iqbal inactivity leads to determination. He said that according to Iqbal, both God and man live by perpetual creation and added that creation was something, which was common between God and man. The destiny of man as God’s khalifa on the earth was the co-operation with him in his creativeness, he observed.          The talk was followed by inauguration of an exhibition of juvenile paintings.36

●Glowing tributes were also paid to Allama Iqbal by Karachi women at a largely attended meeting held under the auspices of the Anjuman-i-Tahaffuz-i-Huqooq-i-Niswan at Malir. ►Begum Najma Jafir, convenor of the Anjuman, presiding over the meeting, said that Iqbal was the greatest second millennium of the Islamic era.37 She eulogised the services rendered by Iqbal in the cause of women. Iqbal, a great reformer as he was, showed great respect and esteem for women. She emphasised that Iqbal wanted Muslim women not to be hoodwinked by the false ideology of Europe. She said Iqbal liked women to become Umahat-ul-Umat in the real sense of the term.38

●Radio Pakistan, Karachi also arranged special broadcasts in connection with Allama Iqbal’s death anniversary. They included ►‘Ek mard-i-qalander ne kiya raz-i-khudi fash’, a musical feature written by Saleem Ahmed; ►‘Iqbaliat’, another musical feature; ►‘Allama Iqbal’, a talk in Urdu by Ejaz Ahmed; ►‘Iqbal’s view of art’, a talk in English by Mumtaz Hassan; and ►‘Shair-i-Mashriq’, a musical feature written by Aslam Farrukkhi.39

●‘Iqbal Day’ was continued to be observed at Karachi for the second day on April 22 by various literary and social bodies. In schools and colleges students gathered to listen various speakers, dwelling on different aspects of Iqbal’s works and philosophy of life.

●The biggest function as reported by The Pakistan Standard was at Jamia Talime Milli, Malir that was presided over by Mahmud Hussain, President of the Jamia Talime Milli Society. He said that Iqbal was one of the very few Indian Muslim leaders who created a high sense of political consciousness among the Muslims. He was not only a great poet but equally a great thinker and a man of action. The recital of Iqbal’s poems by Jamia’s youngsters and a speech on Iqbal by an elder student in English marked the function.40

●Another function in that connection was held under the auspices of Bazm-i-Jamaliat, which was addressed by Abdul Hamid Shimlavi (d.1979)41, editor Nai Roshni and Aqil, editor Faizan.42

●The Iqbal Day celebrations continued on April 23. The Times of Karachi, The Pakistan Times, Dawn and The Morning News, Karachi reported that the Iqbal Academy Karachi observed the Day by holding a meeting under the chairmanship of M. M. Ahmed, Chairman, Department of Philosophy, University of Karachi. A number of educationists read out papers on the life and works of the great poet. Hameed Ahmed Khan of Islamia College, Lahore, Qazi Ahmed Mian Akhtar, Head of the Department of Islamic History, Sind University, Yunus M. Saeed, editor Vision and Hamidullah Siddiqui, threw light on various aspects of Iqbal’s philosophy and poetry.43 ►Hameed Ahmed Khan in his paper “Iqbal and the Universal Note,” debunked the charge that Iqbal’s poetry had a parochial outlook. It was clear, he said that the ‘universal’ and ‘parochial’ were categories which have never been applied to any but the highest poetry. Thus, Iqbal’s greatness was already conceded when the question of a parochial note in his poetry was raised, he said.44 ►Qazi Ahmed Mian Akhtar read out extracts from his paper in Urdu on the critical survey of what had so far been written on the life and works of Iqbal. He dealt with the various aspects of Iqbal’s poetry, basic ideas of his philosophy, his theory of education and his political views, particularly, in the context of millat and watan.45 ►Yunus M. Saeed spoke on the ‘Iqbal’s conception of Satan,’ He thought that for a general understanding of Iqbal’s poetry and philosophy, a lot depended on his concept of Satan because it “reflects to a very large extent his concept of God and Man, Satan being the inevitable cause of this eternal drama of life.”46 ►Hamidullah Siddiqui discussed in his paper juristic implications of Iqbal’s philosophy and their relevance to the re-construction of Islamic Law in the light of the requirement of modern times.47 ►Muhammad Rafiuddin, Director of Iqbal Academy, submitted his annual report featuring the programmes and activities of the Academy. He revealed that the government had promised to grants Rs 1, 00,000/- to the Academy for construction of a building on the condition that a similar amount of money would be contributed by the Academy itself. He informed that the Academy had appealed to the public to contribute Rs. 5, 00,000/- for its ‘Building Fund’.48

●On April 23, staff and students of the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Schools also arranged a Iqbal Day meeting under the chairmanship of Dr. Ghulam Mustafa of Urdu College. A number of dumb and blind students spoke on the life and mission of Allama Iqbal.49

●The Pakistan Students Service Bureau, Karachi also invited entries of essays on “Iqbal aur Fun” and “Atheistic materialism is the greatest danger to modern humanity” until May 20, 1955.50

●Like Lahore and Karachi, Iqbal Day was observed through out rest of the West Pakistan. The Pakistan Standard, Dawn, and The Times of Karachi informed that Iqbal Day was also planned to be observed at Sind University Hall, Hyderabad where a number of eminent scholars were invited to speak on life and works of Allama Iqbal.51

●In the Bahawalpur State, as reported by The Pakistan Standard, The Civil and Military Gazette and The Pakistan Times Iqbal Day was observed at Baghdad-ul-Jadid in the Town Hall under the auspices of the Anjuman Karwan-i-Adab with Khan Baqa Muhammad Khan, Director of Public Instructions, Government of Bahalwalpur in chair. Delegates to West Pakistan Teachers Convention also attended the meeting, the highlights of which were sketches, papers reading and poetical recitations. Branches of Karwan-i-Adab held similar meetings in other towns of the state also. The Bahawalpur women also planned to celebrate Iqbal Day by arranging a mushaira and staging a drama on the occasion.52

●The Pakistan Times revealed that the Iqbal Day was observed throughout Multan in a befitting manner when various literary associations held meetings and paid tributes to Allama Iqbal. All the offices remained closed in Multan on April 21 because of Iqbal Day.53

●The Pakistan Times and The Civil and Military Gazette communicated that Iqbal Day was observed throughout Montgomery District with enthusiasm. In Montgomery, a meeting was held under the auspices of Bazm-i-Fikr-o-Adab in which various speakers paid glowing tributes to the poet of the East. Similar meetings were also held at Okara, Pakpattan, Dipalpur, Chichawatani and Renala Khurd. A mushaira was held in the Sutlej Cotton Mills, Okara in which several poets from India and Pakistan participated.54

●At Sargodha, as reported by The Civil and Military Gazette and The Times of Karachi a special Iqbal Day meeting was arranged by Bazm-i-Adab presided over by Hamid Khalil, Superintendent of Police. Prominent literary personages including Faiz Ludhianvi, Khalid Badayuni, Ahmed Baksh Qureshi and Malik Umar Draz Khan read papers on the life, philosophy and poetry of Allama Iqbal.55 Dawn, The Pakistan Standard, and The Pakistan Times reported that at Sheikhupura, the Iqbal Day was observed by the local literary societies. A ‘mushaira’ was held under the auspices of Anjuman Aiwan-i-Urdu. Besides others, Muhammad Amin Gillani, Jalal Lakhnavi and Shaghil participated. Speakers at the function threw light on the achievements of Allama Iqbal in the fields of poetry and politics, with special references to his contribution to the awakening of the Indian Muslims and to the movement for the establishment of Pakistan.56

●The Pakistan Times, Dawn, The Times of Karachi, The Morning News, Karachi and The Pakistan Standard reported that glowing tributes were paid to the memory of Allama Iqbal at meeting organised by local literary bodies in observance of his death anniversary at Rawalpindi. The meeting organised by Military Association of Controller of Military Accounts in the afternoon at its office hall attracted a large number of people including officials and local dignitaries. Prominent local poets and writers recited poems on Iqbal and read out papers on his poetry and philosophy. The feature ‘seven best verses or the best poem of Iqbal,’ in which many speakers participated drew forth special appreciation from the audience.57

●Azad Kashmir paid homage to the memory of Allama Iqbal by holding meetings throughout the territory. In Muzaffarabad, the highlight of the day’s programme was a meeting organised by Halqa Arbab-i-Zauq and Bazm-i-Adab at the Government Intermediate College. A large number of officials, literary figures, and public men attended the meeting. About twelve papers were read out by prominent literary figures covering various aspects of the poet’s artistic genius and philosophy. Later in the evening, local poets participated in a ‘mushaira’ held in the memory of Allama Iqbal.58

●The death anniversary of Allama Iqbal was also commemorated throughout the Frontier Province. The Civil and Military Gazette, The Pakistan Times, The Khyber Mail, The Morning News, Karachi, and The Pakistan Standard reported that special meetings were held at the district headquarters where tributes were paid to the great poet-philosopher.

●In Peshawar, a meeting was held with a large audience which was presided over by the Frontier Education Minister, Mian Jaffar Shah (1903-1984)59. Besides recitations from Iqbal’s poetry, special papers on the poetry and philosophy of Allama Iqbal were read at the meeting. Prominent among those who addressed the meeting were Mir Waliullah Khan of the Peshawar University, Munawar Gilani, Ali Akbar Shah and Imdad Hussain (1910-2000)60. Different poets recited verses in praise of Iqbal. Paying glorious tributes to Iqbal, Mian Jaffar Shah said that Iqbal created a living spirit in the Indian Muslims and was a source of inspiration during their political struggle for Pakistan. He was also a source of guidance to humanity in general as a spur to achieve self-respect and self-confidence.61

●An another Iqbal Day meeting was organized by the Anjuman-i-Taraqqi-i-Urdu, Sarhad under the presidentship of Sheikh Sanaullah (1897-1959)62, editor of The Khyber Mail. ►At the meeting, Majid Shahid recited a poem specially composed for the occasion. ►Nazir Mirza Barlas, who spoke on the poetry and philosophy of Allama Iqbal, followed him. ►It was followed by a general discussion in which Syed Zia Jafari and Abdul Wadud Qamar took part. The latter narrated some anecdotes from the life of Allama Iqbal whom he had the honour to meet while studying at Lahore. ►The programme ended with a recitation from Piam-i-Mashriq by Zafar Abbass Bukhari.63

●Iqbal Day was also observed throughout Baluchistan and Baluchistan States Union by holding literary gatherings, public meetings, and mushairas as reported by The Pakistan Standard, The Pakistan Times, The Times of Karachi, Dawn, and The Civil & Military Gazette. In Quetta, the educational institutions held special functions in which papers were read and lectures delivered both by students and teachers on life and mission of Allama Iqbal. Speeches on his life and works were also delivered by several speakers at a public meeting held under the auspices of the Anjuman-i-Taraqqi-i-Urdu, which was presided over by Dr. Muhammad Ayub.64

●At Kalat, a large number of people including Secretariat and Durbari staff, students, teachers, and members of the Hindu Panchayat gathered in the hall of the Daud High School to pay homage to Allama Iqbal. Speeches in Urdu and Baluchi by Union officers emphasised that the purpose of that function would be lost if the audience only heard Iqbal’s verses and over looked his message of unity, discipline and complete faith in Allah and observance of Islamic dictates which was the real essence of his poetry and which he himself endeavoured to underline all his life. Extracts from Iqbal’s works illustrating his message to Muslims and humanity were also recited. The meeting concluded with prayers for the soul of Iqbal.65

●‘Marconi’, the radio reviewer of The Pakistan Times presented an overall view of the Iqbal Day programmes broadcasted by different stations of Radio Pakistan including talks, features, and singing of Iqbal’s poems. He observed that these special programmes had acquired a certain fixed pattern tending towards a certain monotony of treatment, as the turning of Iqbal’s living poetry into a sort of esoteric philosophy beyond the reach of an ordinary man. He further observed that listening to most features and talks on Iqbal, one missed an essential unity. His philosophy, his ideas and concepts were so minutely dissected and presented in such highly technical philosophical jargon, that the poor listener was definitely impressed with all that parade of learning without in any way getting near the essential spirit of the poetry.66 He pointed out that “while reading or listening to Iqbal’s poetry one feels uplifted and his ideas find immediate emotional response; while on the other hand, these talks and dissertations leave us just bamboozled, confused and none-the-wiser-for-it, then there must be something wrong somewhere”. He further pointed out that in that barrage of features and talks hardly any mention was made of those poems of Iqbal which some how could be construed to serve the ends of current political fashions. On the other hand, those features were full of his Persian poems that were hardly understood by even one percent of the listeners.67 Marconi observed that most significant human and interesting programme broadcasted on Iqbal Day, was provided by the village broadcast from Lahore station. The talk in Punjabi by Sufi Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum was one of the best he heard on radio. The significant feature of that talk was the simplicity and directness with which Sufi Tabassum explained the basic concepts of Iqbal’s poetry. That simplicity was born of deep study and genuine appreciation of the poet’s work, the author maintained.68 The reviewer viewed that most stirring item was the interview with Iqbal’s old servant, ‘Ali Baksh. Here was something really human, touching and authentic. But he was critical of Syed Viqar Azeem’s feature on Iqbal in the children’s programme which suffered from one basic defect. He stressed that at least one of Iqbal’s poems for the children should had been presented in toto in order to give one complete story at least.69

●The radio reviewer of The Civil and Military Gazette, ‘Raz’ also surveyed Iqbal Day programmes broadcasted by Radio Pakistan, which in his view had been common, by repetition. He argued that their pattern was now old enough comprising recitations (tarranum and tehtul-lafz), features (flat and musical), talks (English and Urdu) and Iqbaliat in which a selected ghazal of Iqbal was presented in the mode of qawwali with a wealth of ‘girah-bandi’ exclusively from the works of Iqbal in half an hour. In his opinion some of those programmes had been recorded and were played from time to time and by now, even the tune seems too had been standardised under the caption ‘Iqbaliyyat’.70 The reviewer observed that the radio programmes of that year again constrained one to complain that the stress was on the literary and philosophical aspects of Iqbal and they had already received detailed attention in the past. He mentioned that Iqbal lived in an age when science and philosophy had powerfully rubbed shoulders and as an original thinker, Iqbal could not ignore the new ideas which modern science had been sending to engage the attention of the philosopher. He argued that such side of Iqbal’s work had not been studied nor presented on the radio. Moreover, little had been done to assist the influence of scientific ideas on the poetry of Iqbal. The author maintained that Iqbal had a definite attitude towards science in general. Stressing that that little explored region of Iqbal’s works should be studied, the author suggested that radio should not rest content with what it had presented thus far on Iqbal.71 In reality, ‘Raz’ had raised a very interesting point. Allama Iqbal was a keen observer of the scientific discoveries of his age and always tried to comprehend them. He tried to study Islam in scientific perspective and proved that there was no difference among them. In this connection, he repeatedly referred to scientific realities stated in the Quran. In his presidential address delivered at the All India Mohammedan Educational Conference, in 1911, he pointed out several scientific contributions made by the Muslims. At the same time, he was much perturbed over the overall scientific decline in the Muslim world and always tried to urge the Muslim youth to study sciences. Syed Waheeduddin has stated that in order to understand Einstein’s theory of relativity, Allama Iqbal even studied mathematics. When he heard that an American Physicist, Compton, who later won the Noble Prize, would deliver a lecture in the Government College, Lahore, he especially went to attend that talk and during question break, asked Compton various complex questions to understand the subject matter.72

Tributes from East Pakistan

Like West Pakistan, the Iqbal Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm in East Pakistan. The Pakistan Standard, The Morning News, Karachi, The Khyber Mail and The Morning News, Dacca communicated that at Dacca, eight literary and cultural organisations under the guidance of a sub-committee presided over by S. M. Ikram (1908-1973)73, chalked out an elaborate programme to observe the Iqbal Day. They included Purba Bangla Samity, the Pakistan Sahitya Samsad, Pakistan Arts Council, Pakistan Majlis, P. E. N, Tamadun Majlis, Anjuman-i-Tarraqi-i-Urdu and the Dacca Gymkhana Club. 74

●The biggest event was a public meeting held in Curzon Hall, which represented all literary and cultural associations of Dacca. It was presided over by Provincial Governor, Muhammad Shahabuddin and the hall was packed to capacity. Among those who addressed the gathering were Muhammad Akram Khan, Muhammad Shahidullah, Abul Hashim, and S. M. Ikram.75 ►In his presidential speech, Governor Shahabuddin explaining Iqbal’s philosophy pointed out that Iqbal’s works contained the solution to many of the problems faced by the mankind in general and Muslims in particular in present day world. Iqbal not only carefully studied political and social problems of Muslims but gave them a political goal too.76 ►Speaking next, Muhammad Shahidullah of the Dacca University explained the message of Iqbal with special reference to Javid Namah and said that the poet therein had analysed case of man’s spiritual and moral decay and provided remedy thereof.77 ►Muhammad Akram Khan addressing the gathering said that it was necessary to see Iqbal in correct perspective in order to appreciate greatness of his poetry and philosophy. He argued that his poetry was dynamic and capable of revolutionising human thought and action.78 ►Abul Hashim addressing the gathering dwelt on the metaphysical aspects of Iqbal’s works and said that according to Iqbal, man except by direct intuitive experience or the religious experience, could not know the ultimate reality. Yet Iqbal’s philosophy had shown inter-relation between reason and faith, which were not contradictory to each other.79 ►S. M. Ikram in his speech pointed out that Iqbal occupied a very special position in Pakistan. He observed that Iqbal’s special significance was due to two reasons. In the first place, it was he who for the first time saw in tangible form the vision of the new state. He placed before the nation the goal of independent Muslim State and gave his powerful support to the idea when all ridiculed it. He continued that apart from it, Iqbal in his poetry and prose works, particularly in his lectures, had dealt with ideological problems with which modern Muslim world. These factors gave Iqbal a unique position of national importance, he concluded.80

●Other functions held in observance of Iqbal Day in Dacca included one by students of Salimullah Muslim Hall. Sharif Abdullah Haroon, who presided over the gathering, urged upon students to imbibe teachings of Iqbal in their daily lives. By a resolution, the meeting urged upon government to set up an Iqbal Academy.81 Bengali-Urdu Fellowship Association also held a meeting in observance of Iqbal Day at the District Board Hall, which was presided over by Baqir, President of Association. Distinguished Urdu and Bengali poets excelled each other in paying tributes to Iqbal as poet-philosopher.82 Anjuman Mohajareen Mashriqi Pakistan, awarded prizes to students for best articles written on national poet. The students and teachers of Rahmatullah Model High School, Dacca held meeting in observance of Iqbal Day in which eloquent tributes were paid to the poet of the East.83

●A meeting of the women of Dacca city was also held to observe Iqbal Day under the Anjuman Fallah Muslim Khawateen. Begum Amiruddin Ahmed, wife of the Chief Justice of East Pakistan presided over. Speeches were delivered in Bengali and Urdu by Begum Wahab, Begum Qudrat-i-Khoda, Begum Jabbar, Begum Nafis Ahmed, Begum Dilafroz Haq, Begum Masood and Begum Akhlaque on life and works of Allama Iqbal. Poems of Allama Iqbal were also recited.84

●As per reports of The Morning News, Dacca, The Civil and Military Gazette, The Pakistan Standard, The Khyber Mail and The Times of Karachi, April 21 activities at Dacca were rounded off with a Tamsili mushaira followed by a general mushaira under the auspices of the Anjuman-i-Taraqqi-i-Urdu, Mashriqi Pakistan, Dacca. Prominent poets from Pakistan and India including Jigar Muradabadi, Saghar Nizami, Sahab Qizalbash and Jagannath Azad, participated in the general mushaira. East Pakistan Governor and his wife also attended the function.85

●The Iqbal Day celebrations in Dacca continued on April 22. The Pakistan Observer and The Morning News, Dacca reported that a joint function and symposium arranged by cultural and literary organisations of Dacca were held at the Bar Library Hall in observance of Iqbal Day. Prominent Urdu and Bengali authors and poets including women recited poems on the ‘Ideological Father of Pakistan’ while Abdur Rahman Khan, an eminent Bengali scholar presided over the function.86 ►Speaking on the occasion, Abul Hashim said that Allama Iqbal was a religious thinker and had conceived creation of an Islamic state. He asked people to act upon Iqbal’s concept of khudi. ►Begum Sofia Kamal and Qazi Lutf Haq, renowned poets of East Pakistan, read out translated pieces from Asrar-i-Khudi and Rumuz-i-Bekhudi. ►Other speakers threw light on the life and works of the national poet.87

●Dacca Gymkhana Club and Anjuman-i-Taraqqi-i-Urdu also jointly arranged an Iqbal Day meeting which was presided over by S. N. Bakar. ►Speaking on the occasion, Mahmud Hasan, Chairman of the Provincial Public Service Commission, who had personal contacts with Allama Iqbal during his lifetime, observed that he believed that for deeper study of the Qur’an, it was advisable to study Iqbal as well. He observed that Iqbal’s concept of God and man was essentially the same as in the Qur’an. He also pointed out that it was very necessary that more and more translations of Allama Iqbal’s works were made available to people in English, Bengali and other languages. Later, Jigar Moradabadi recited a Persian poem at the meeting. Bengali translation of few couplets of Iqbal was also recited.88

●Besides Dacca the Iqbal Day was observed in different parts of East Pakistan with due solemnity. The Pakistan Observer reported that a public meeting was also arranged at Narayangang at its Public Literary Hall in which renowned speakers viz., Shadani, Ghulam Mustafa, and Raghib Ahsan (1904-1975)89 were invited to deliver speeches on the life and teachings of Allama Iqbal. The meeting was planned to be followed by a mushaira to be participated by prominent poets of Pakistan and India.90

●The Morning News, Karachi, The Pakistan Standard, The Pakistan Times, Dawn, and The Times of Karachi reported that at Comilla, all the offices were closed for half day as mark of respect to the memory of Allama Iqbal. A largely attended meeting was convened at the Tippera Collectorate, sponsored by the officers and staff of the Collectorate, where glowing tributes were paid to the memory of the poet. Latiful Karim read an essay on the life of the poet at the function. Several speakers delivered speeches on the life, ideals, and works of Allama Iqbal. One of the speakers, Khawaja Ahmed stressed the need of establishing an ‘Iqbal Academy’ in the town.91 Dr. Quader, in his presidential speech referred to the work of Allama Iqbal. The poet, he said could not fully see his vision of unification of Islamic states of the world materialised in his lifetime. He left behind the spirit of his ideal. The Muslims of the whole world should realise his preaching and make every attempt to live up to his vision.92

●Iqbal Day was observed at Dinajpur on April 21 and the women at Mahial Samiti and the public at the local cinema hall organised public meetings separately. The respective meetings were presided over by the District Magistrate and Rafia Rahman convenor, APWA, Dinajpur. In both the functions the life of the poet and his philosophy were dealt with. In the evening, the annual prize distribution ceremony was held at Parbatipur Jinnah H. E. School where the life and ideals of Iqbal were discussed.93 At Pabna, Iqbal Day was observed under the auspices of the Pabna Sahitya Majlis presided over by the District Magistrate, Ali Ahmed. Two prizes were awarded at an essay competition on the occasion while Nadvi read out poems of Allama Iqbal. A large public meeting was held at the town hall, where Abdul Hai al Quraishi, presided over and spoke on Iqbal.94

●The Pakistan Observer revealed that on April 22, under the management of A. K. M. Humayun, Assistant Adjutant of Ansars, Rangpur Saddar, a literary and cultural meeting was held at the Rangpur Saddar Ansar Club to observe the death anniversary of Allama Iqbal with renowned poet and translator of the Shikwah and Jawab-i-Shikwah, Muhammad Sultan in chair.95 Students of music class of Saddar Ansar Club entertained the audience with songs composed by the great poet. Local poets, writers and artists were also present. Thoughtful articles and poems written on the life and works of Allama Iqbal were read. The poem recited from the chair and the song of Babu Amiya Sen was highly appreciated. The meeting closed with a prayer for the peace of the departed soul.96

●The Pakistan Observer reported that at Saidpur, Iqbal Day was celebrated at the Murtaza Institute Hall under the presidentship of Matiur Rahman, Senior Accounts Officer, Railways. Speeches in Urdu, Bengali and English were delivered dwelling on the multifaceted aspects of the poet’s genius. ►Ataur Rahman, speaking in Bengali said that Iqbal’s dream of an ideal Muslim homeland would not be realised in Pakistan, unless we sink our differences and regard ourselves as Pakistanis above all.97

●The Pakistan Observer further described that at Barisal, a meeting of the staff, students and patrons of the Fazlul Haq College, Chankkar was held at the premises of the College to observe Iqbal Day under the auspices of the Literary Association, Fazlul Haq College, with Muhiuddin, Principal of the College in the chair.98 In his presidential address, Muhiuddin welcomed the Iqbal Day celebration throughout the country to draw inspiration from the teachings of Iqbal. He compared Iqbal with Rumi, Ghazali, Nietzche and Bergson and concluded by saying that Iqbal was a worthy representative of Islamic and modern spiritualism. A resolution to form Iqbal-Nazrul Academy in all the colleges of Pakistan was unanimously passed.99

●According to The Pakistan Observer, the Muslim Sakitya Sdansad, the Anjuman-i-Taraqqi-i-Urdu and many other cultural and literary associations, celebrated Iqbal Day at Sylhet. Abdul Matin Memorial Library and many of the local educational institutions also observed the Day.100

●Likewise, the AWPA Bogra Branch under the guidance and presidentship of Begum A. Aziz observed Iqbal Day at Bogra. Many distinguished women participated in the deliberations.

●Another Iqbal Day meeting was observed by the Bangiya Salitaya Parishad at Bogra Uttara House. Majiruddin Ahmed MLA presided over the function.101

Even a cursory glance on the above materials would reveal that Allama Iqbal being the originator of the idea of newly established state enjoyed a special status among the Pakistani intelligentsia. A survey of English dailies of Pakistan which existed during 1953 reveals that he was highly respected for his multi-dimensional services and his views were persistently quoted by renowned personalities of every walk of life, like writers, politicians, intellectuals, civil servants and theologians as guidelines to be pursued in reshaping the proposed structure of the motherland. His ideas were presented as a panacea for all the ills and rallying point for the development of a sense of unity and oneness.

Notes and References