Noor Ul Hasan Andrabi
Srinagar: Government College for Women,Pulwama in unison with ‘The Kashmir Pulse’ and Kalam Karwaan-e-Shoora hosted a function on the occasion of ‘Iqbal Day’ on the theme ‘Role of Youth in Unfurling Iqbaliyat’.A book release event was organized by the literary organization Qalam Karwan Shahurah.
The famous writer and poet of Kashmir Valley Dr.Nazir Azad,well known critic, novelist and expert Iqbaliyat Riaz Tawhidi, Dr. Nusrat Jabeen,Dr.Shakeel Shafai,Raja Yusuf,Tariq Shabnam were also present on the occasion.Apart from famous journalist Shakeel Azad,Mehrajuddin Faraz and Shabnam Fayyaz,there were a good number of listeners.
Dr. Nazir Azad in his presidential address said that today’s youth pay more attention to poetry but not to prose.“I am happy that a talented young man from the land of Pulwama started his journey in the literary world with a novel. I congratulate the land of Pulwama and Aqib Shaheen”,Azad said.
Dr. Riaz Tawhidi first spoke briefly on Kalam-e-Iqbal and then presented a comprehensive article on the book.It included praise for Aqib Shaheen’s abilities as well as an overview of the book.
He said that Aqib Shaheen has fully reflected the painful situation of his nation and Aqib Shaheen has fulfilled the right of Iqbal to be Shaheen.
Dr.Nusrat Jabeen Sahib read an informative essay on Iqbal’s concept of women and Dr. Shakeel Shafai Sahib gave an insightful sermon on Quranic thought in Allama Iqbal’s speech.
At the end of the ceremony,young writers and poets were also awarded certificates and Dr. Riaz Tawhidi Kashmiri awarded Aqib Shaheen Honorary Certificate from Anjuman-e-Alam Wadab South Asian Cultural Society of Chicago.
Aaqib Shaheen said that his maiden novel depicts the pain,sufferings and harassment of Kashmiri people through different means living in the valley of saints.He said that since his childhood he was interested in writing and has written dozens of articles and poems in Kashmiri,Urdu and English which have been published on different platforms.
Shaheen gives credit of his achievements to his mother who has remained rock solid behind him despite losing her husband (Aaqib’s Father) in very early age.
“I address youth through my writing and it is youth who can bring revolution and change the fortune of any community,country or at global level,”he said.
“It is our youth who will decide our future and if they will follow Islam in letter and spirit, our future will be bright but if they will get involved in immoral activities like drugs then our future will be dark,so it is our duty to keep our youth awaken and work for their own welfare as well as for welfare of our society,” Aaqib said.(IK)
