ISTANBUL, 29 April
2016: National poet of Pakistan and great Muslim philosopher of the twentieth century
Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal was commemorated in Istanbul at a literary event.
Istanbul branch of Turkey-Pakistan Women Friendship Association and the
Consulate of Pakistan organized the event, which was attended by a large number
of guests from the academia, civil society, political parties, Pakistan
community and students.
Welcoming the guests,
Ms. Ulay Hancioglu, Chairperson of Turkey-Pakistan Women Friendship Association
said it is great honour for her association to commemorate the great Muslim philosopher
in Turkey. She expressed her keen desire to continue organizing such activities
in future that will further promote brotherly relations between Pakistan and
Turkey.
Dr. Yusuf Junaid,
Consul General of Pakistan in Istanbul paid rich tributes to the services of
Ms. Ulay Hancioglu spanning over 40 years, terming her as “ambassador of Pakistan-Turkey
relations.” Dr. Junaid said Iqbal’s thoughts are greatly inspired by the
teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) while Turkish mystic sufi Jalaluddin Rumi
has also influence on Iqbal’s philisophy. He said the idea that Iqbal presented
in his famous keynote address to the session of Muslim League in Allahabad in
1930 for a separate homeland for Muslims finally became a reality in 1947 in
the shape of a new independent country “Pakistan.”
Prof. Dr. Halil
Toker, Chairman of Urdu Department, Istanbul University, in his address
highlighted Iqbal’s political thought. He said Iqbal, the great thinker and
poet of the East made tremendous efforts for unity of the Muslim Ummah. Through
his writings, Iqbal encouraged the Muslims to develop their own identity. Dr.
Halil said Iqbal was introduced to Turkey through the efforts of Turkey’s
national poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy. Translations of Iqbal’s works by Ali Nihat
Tarlan increased awareness about Iqbal in the contemporary Muslim world while
mass understanding of Iqbal in Turkey was made possible through the writings of
Abdulkadir Karahan, he added.
Prof. Dr. Celal
Soydan of Urdu Department at Istanbul University spoke about Iqbal’s views on
reforms in Turkey. He said Iqbal, who himself wanted Muslims to reform
themselves in the contemporary era according to emergent needs, greatly
appreciated reforms undertaken in Turkey during Iqbal’s lifetime. Mr. Muhammad
Hanif Khan, PhD student at Urdu Department of Istanbul University spoke about
reason and love (Ishq) in Iqbal’s philosophy. Honorary Consul General of
Pakistan in Bursa Mr. Murat Tarman also shared his views on the occasion.
Awards were presented
to successful high schools students of Istanbul city who composed essays on the
topic of “Pakistan Turkey Relations.” Both Pakistani and Turk students also
read from the poetry of Iqbal.
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