The First International Symposium on Allama Muhammad Iqbal was organized by Zitouna University (????? ????????)?, Tunis in collaboration with Embassy of Pakistan, Pakistan was held on Tuesday, 26 February 2019, says a press release received from Tunis here today. The symposium was inaugurated by Mr. Salem Kalbous, Minister of Higher Education of Tunisia. A large number of Tunisian scholars, academicians, students and media persons attended the seminar. Senator Waleed Iqbal, grandson of Allam Muhammad Iqbal attended the symposium as a guest of honour. The speakers paid rich tributes to the poet of the East and highlighted his message of Islamic unity. In his welcoming speech, Dr. Hesham Garissa, the President of Zitouna University stated that Iqbal was a universal poet who possessed remarkable knowledge of not only religious and political thought but also understanding of western civilization. He emphasized on understanding and acting upon Iqbal's philosophy and thoughts. He stated that the symposium was an important step forward in the presentation of Allama Muhammad Iqbal's thoughts and philosophy to the Arab world. Ambassador of Pakistan, Mr. Muhammad Hassan in his welcoming address stated that Iqbal was not just the national poet of Pakistan. He is admired as a prominent poet all over the world specifically by Muslims of South Asia, to whom he gave a vision for a separate homeland. His message and thoughts gave inspiration to the Muslims of South Asia and Pakistan today symbolizes the legacy of this great visionary. He further stated that Iqbal’s message of unity has its appeal worldwide which raises his stature as an international poet. Senator Waleed Iqbal, who represented the family of Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Government of Pakistan in the symposium highlighted Allama’s deep attachment with the Islamic world and his efforts to awaken the Umma from slumber. He also lauded Iqbal’s efforts to awaken the Muslims of the sub-continent. Although he did not live to see the creation of Pakistan in 1947, he is revered as its spiritual father and as its national poet, he said. Other Scholars who presented their papers on various aspects of Iqbal’s thought included Dr. Munir Rowes on Iqbal as a philosopher of Islam, Professor Bu Azizi on Iqbal’s concept of Freedom, Dr. Shokri Albaji on Iqbal’s views on reconstruction of religious thoughts, Dr. Saifuddin Almajdi on Iqbal on harmonization of heart and brain, Dr. Abdul Qadir Nafati on Iqbal’s views on Sufism, Dr. Ali Alashi on Sufi traditions according to Iqbal, Dr. Nasr Aljaweli on Iqbal’s vision of religious renewal and Dr. Munir Benjour on Iqbal and Ijtihad. Zitouna University announced establishment of Iqbal Chair in the University. A hall with the name of Muhammad Iqbal Hall was inaugurated within the premise of the University. The university announced to hold the next symposium on Iqbal on 9 November 2019. Zitouna University is the oldest university in Tunis. It was first established in 737 AD and subsequently modernized in 1956. It consists of a Higher Institute of Theology, a Higher Institute of Islamic Civilization and a Center of Islamic Studies. It is older than the famous Al-Azher University of Egypt.
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