RIYADH – Pakistan Embassy and Halqa e Fikr O Funn paid rich tribute in remembrance of the great legendary philosopher and national poet of Pakistan Allama Muhammad Iqbal on his 79th death anniversary. The event was held at the chancery hall of Pakistan Embassy here. Hundreds of men, women, from all walks of life including representatives of various social, political, cultural parties and special delegations of Majlis e Iqbal (Bahrain), Halqa e Fikr O Funn and Pakistanis Welfare Council (Eastern Province) attended the event. Pakistani Charge D' Affaires Hassan Wazir was the chief guest, renowned poetess from Lahore Dr. Shahnaz Muzammil and prominent scholar Sheikh Ahmed Khan from Bahrain were the guests of honor. Halqa e Fikr O Funn President Dr. Muhammad Riaz Chaudhary presided over the session that was ably conducted by the Deputy Secretary General Dr. Hina Ambreen Tariq. The event commenced with the introductory note by the Head of Chancery Sardar Muhammad Khattak. "Today we are gathered to remember the great poet and philosopher Allama Iqbal, Iqbal, who awakened a great spirit in the nation through his poetry. We are lucky to have literary organization Halqa e Fikr O Funn in Riyadh to remember such a remarkable, notable and literary peoples and days," Khattak said. The formal proceedings of the program began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur'an by Bashir Bhatti and a Naat by Abid Shamoon Chand. Chief coordinator Halqa e Fikr O Funn, Dr. Tariq Aziz welcomed the distinguished guests. He described HFF as the most active group in the literary circles of Saudi Arabia. He depicted Iqbal in his well-summarized welcome note. Poets of Fikr O Funn, Shahnaz Qureshi, Sabir Qashang, Hina Ambreen, Abdul Razzaq Tabassum and Waqar Naseem Wamiq paid rich poetic tribute to Allama Iqbal through their vibrant poetry that was highly appreciated by the audience. Executive member of HFF Ch. Sajjad Ali Jutt praised Allama Iqbal and presented some verses from Iqbal's poetry, Shoaib Shahzad sang some famous verses of Iqbal in his melodious voice, and students of PISES Kinza & Aisha Akbar were highly applauded by the audience on presentation of their dialogue. Another student of PISR Alisha enthralled the audience with a presentation of a famous poem of Iqbal. Guests of Honors Dr. Shahnaz Muzammil and Sheikh Ahmed Khan discussed Iqbal's message and philosophy. They highlighted some important and knowledgeable aspects of Iqbal's life and his work. Shahnaz also dedicated her poem to Iqbal that was much-admired by the audience. Chief Guest Hassan Wazir stated Iqbal was inspirational. "Iqbal's poetry is a source of inspiration and it can play a vital role to unite the Muslim world." He also emphasized on Iqbal's message of "Khudi" and urged the audience to adhere to this unique message of Iqbal. Prominent poetess Dr. Hina Ambreen Tariq and poet Sabir Qashang were awarded for their literary services with the medals by Adab Sarai (a Lahore-based literary organization headed by its chairperson Dr. Shahnaz Muzammil) in a short and graceful award ceremony conducted by W. Wamiq, general secretary of HFF. A lifetime achievement award was given by HFF to Dr. Shahnaz Muzammil, and journalist Zakaullah Mohsin was awarded by HFF for his best services to the Pakistani community. A memento shield was presented to Sheikh Ahmed Khan by HFF. Muhammad Baqir of Majlis-e-Iqbal Bahrain gifted a collection of 15 DVDs (a special compilation about Allama Iqbal. HFF President Dr. Riaz Chaudhary gave the vote of thanks and continued to praise Iqbal as a great human being. "He was not just a great poet or philosopher but he carried such a true ideology that inspires & guides us in various ways of our lives," Chaudhary added. The program ended with a special prayer for the prosperity of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia by Dr. Mahmoud Ahmed Bajwa.
