By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) organized a special session at Iqbal Corner on the theme “Andaz-e-Khudi aur Shehr-e-Lahore.”
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The event was held under the patronage of Prof. Dr. Uzma Quraishi, Vice Chancellor, LCWU, while senior journalist, columnist and Chairman of the Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society Wasif Nagi (Sitara-e-Imtiaz and President’s Award for Pride of Performance) attended as the chief guest. The session was moderated by Dr. Hafsa Batool.
Welcoming the distinguished guest, Prof. Dr. Uzma Quraishi described senior journalists as invaluable national assets and appreciated their role in preserving history, intellectual traditions and collective memory for future generations.
Speaking on the occasion, Wasif Nagi highlighted Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s deep association with Lahore. He said that after winning the Punjab Legislative Council election, Iqbal received a grand reception at Bhati Gate. He also recalled Iqbal’s remarkably simple lifestyle, noting that he would often order food from the market and serve the same food to his employees that he ate himself. He further stated that Iqbal donated 576 books from his personal library to Islamia College, Railway Road.
Wasif Nagi also shared that during the unveiling of Iqbal’s portrait in Gujarat in 1941, Sir Chhotu Ram paid tribute to the poet-philosopher by referring to the reverence accorded to figures and sacred texts in other traditions. He added that Maulana Zafar Ali Khan, on Iqbal’s advice, launched the daily newspaper Zamindar from Lahore.
He further recalled that Rani Bamba, granddaughter of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, held Allama Iqbal in high esteem and had a hookah specially prepared for him.
Wasif Nagi said that Iqbal Day was observed across India on January 9, 1933, during Allama Iqbal’s lifetime. On that occasion, Iqbal proposed the establishment of a Chair of Islamic Studies at Islamia College Lahore and announced a contribution of Rs. 100 towards the initiative.
He also referred to Allama Iqbal’s New Year message broadcast from Radio Lahore on January 1, 1938, in which Iqbal called for rejecting the idols of nationalism, communism and fascism and emphasized respect for humanity.
The session provided students with an opportunity to engage with lesser-known aspects of Allama Iqbal’s life, his association with Lahore and the enduring relevance of his intellectual legacy.