PAAT organizes conference on Iqbal

DALLAS: Pakistani Americans representative organization Pakistan American Association of Texas (PAAT) hosted a conference titled "Tradition of love and Sufism - Iqbal and Rumi" on 136th birthday of poet of the east Dr. Sir Mohammad Allama Iqbal in Dallas suburban city of Plano Texas.

The event was participated by a large number of local residents of Pakistani as well as non-Pakistani origin. The cultural Attaché of Pakistan Consulate Houston Syed Tariq Shameem was the Chief Guest of the event.

Addressing the crowd Mr. Shameem said that Allama Iqbal through his poetry and vision had played a major role in changing the political landscape for Muslims of South Asia.

“It was his vision and struggle which lead into unification of Muslims under one platform and secured a separate homeland for themselves.”

He said that Pakistan Consulate offer complete cooperation to all registered community organization in the state. He said that Pakistan Consulate does not have a favorite or preferred group but we want to work with all groups.

He said that we should leave the past rest and should keep working in community's development and welfare projects.

PAAT's President and renowned poet Dr. Amer Suleman thanked the community for making this event successful through their large participation.

Later Dr. Suleman read his scholarly paper on Iqbal's famous "Javed Naama" and presented the linkage between Iqbal and his spiritual teacher Maulana Rumi. A prominent radio anchor of a literary program Mr. Amin Tirmizi focused on Iqbal's life and his message for Muslim identity. Talmeez Fatima presented a detailed analysis on Iqbal's philosophy of time. Professor Habib presented Rumi's philosophy of love and praised Iqbal for carrying the message of Rumi. Usma Shahi spoke on the philosophy of love and Iqbal. Renowned Dallas poet Younus Aijaz and Nadir Durrani presented Iqbal's poetry and presented praise to Iqbal through their sonnets.

PAAT's executives and community leaders Dr. Javed Ajmal and Ashar Ahmed presented the vision of PAAT and its various projects for community development. Rumi circle of Dallas also participated in the event where it's prominent activist and converted Muslim Johnny Wolfe (Saleem) while addressing the gathering said that Rumi is most read poet in America. He said that his converting to Islam was through inspirations from Rumi's poetry. Saleem and his daughter Ayah presented a whirling Darvesh devotional spinning. Conference ended with famous Persian singer Shabnum Khatibi's along with Roya Abdollahi presentation of Rumi's beautiful poetry with Persian instruments of Santur and Duf.

Mr. Syed Shameem presented 2013 Community Leadership Award to Texas senior Journalist from Jang Group Raja Zahid Khanzada in recognition of his services to Texas community. A prominent community activist Nazia Khan served as Master of ceremony for the event and impressed the audience with her knowledge and understanding of Allama Iqbal's poetry and philosophy. The cultural attaché from Pakistan Consulate praised the program and presenters and congratulated PAAT for hosting such a grand conference. He said that perhaps even Sialkot has never hosted such a grand event in honor of Sir Allama Iqbal. The community participation for the program was unprecedented where a large number of people came with their families. People who could not get a seat stayed standing in hallway and in aisles for the whole program as hall were so jam packed. The participants stayed till late and received the education and knowledge from presenters.