By Waqar Naseem Wamiq

RIYADH — Prominent literary forum of Riyadh Halqa-e-Fikro Funn (HFF) commemorated the 81st death anniversary of the national poet of Pakistan, poet of the east, the great philosopher and thinker, Allama Muhammad Iqbal at the residence Kashana-e-Adab of the senior HFF associate Makhdoom Amin Tajir.

HFF senior advisor Dr. Mahmood Ahmed Bajwa presided over the program, Hafiz Abdul Waheed was the chief guest while renowned poets Sadaf Faridi and Shaukat Jamal were the guests of honor on the occasion.

The program was highly attended by the HFF members, poets and writers that was conducted by the HFF’s W.N. Wamiq. The program began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an by Dr. Bajwa followed by a soulful Naat presented by HFF secretary information Abid Shamoon Chand.

Addressing to the audience, Chief Coordinator HFF Dr. Tariq Aziz said, "We need to connect ourselves with the poetry of Iqbal. We have to attain his message of self esteem and to follow his philosophic thoughts.”

"Iqbal will be remembered for the times to come. His teachings are the keys of development, prosperity and success for the mankind," said Sarwar Khan Inqalabi.

HFF Convener, Ch. Sajjad Ali Jutt said, "Iqbal was a great poet, philosopher and a compassionate thinker. We are the torch bearer of his ideology."

Zahid Sharif expressed his views at the function, saying that the Pakistan's revolution took birth from the ideological poetry and thoughts of Allama Iqbal and Iqbal gave the dream of a separate state that came into reality in the form of Pakistan.

Abid Shamoon, Waseem Sahir, Ch. Sajjad Ali, Waqar Naseem Wamiq, Sadaf Faridi and Shaukat Jamal paid rich tribute to Allama Mohammad Iqbal during the poetry session of the program and were praised by the audience for the presentations of their poetry.

Chief Guest Hafiz Abdul Waheed said, "Iqbal is one of the greatest poets of the world. His poetry breathes in a certain intellectual and cultural background. He was a passionate and conscious poet. Iqbal had got global reputation in his life, and his works were translated in several languages.”

Abdul Waheed also congratulated Halqa-e-Fikro Fun and praised the HFF organization for their standard and their exemplary literary contributions.

Dr. Mahmood Bajwa paid rich tribute to Allama Muhammad Iqbal in his presidential address stating, "Iqbal was not only a great poet and philosopher but also a visionary leader. He has a multidimensional and versatile personality. His Urdu and Persian poetry is a great literary asset. Today's program by HFF is very successful one from every aspect."

He congratulated the participants and the members of HFF for conducting a successful program.

The host and senior HFF associate Makhdoom Amin Tajir delivered the vote of thanks and assured the participants for the continuation of the literary sessions and announced the upcoming grand mushaira by HFF. The program ended on prayers followed by a sumptuous dinner.