NPC seminar highlights spiritual bond between Rumi and Iqbal

Rumi Corner launched at Awana Quaid The Nazriya Pakistan Council (NPC) on Wednesday organized a seminar and inaugural of Rumi Corner (Gosha-e-Rumi) during a ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Quaid, Fatima Jinnah Park. The event was marked by scholarly discourse, literary reflections and renewed emphasis on the spiritual and intellectual legacy of Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi and Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Titled “Rumi, Iqbal and Message of Iqbal” the seminar brought together scholars, intellectuals, students and admirers of Urdu and Persian literature. Eminent scholar Dr Syed Shabih-ul-Hassan Rizvi presided over the event while noted academician, intellectual and scholar Dr Aziz Ali Najam delivered the keynote address on the occasion. Member of the NPC and author of six books including three on spiritualism, Maj Gen (R) Mohammad Tahir introduced the keynote speaker while Chairman of the NPC Mian Muhammad Javed presented the vote of thanks. Among the distinguished guests present on the occasion were Chairperson of Taleem Network Pakistan (TNP), NPC Sen Razina Alam Khan, NPC Executive Committee member Amb Salahuddin Chaudhry, Executive Secretary of the NPC and President of the Pakistan Observer Gauhar Zahid Malik, former federal secretary Abdullah Yousa another ex-Federal Secretary Malik Najeeb, Humaira Masihuddin and a large number of young students of Pakistan Studies, History and Urdu literature. In his keynote address, Dr Aziz Ali Najam elaborated on the striking spiritual parallels between Maulana Rumi and Allama Iqbal, particularly their shared themes of Ishq-e-Haqeeqi (divine love), self-realization, devotion to the Holy Quran and the pursuit of inner awakening. He said that despite living in entirely different eras and civilizations, both poets carried the same message of spiritual elevation, moral courage and intellectual independence. He noted that Allama Muhammad Iqbal openly acknowledged Jalaluddin Rumi as his spiritual mentor and guide, a relationship reflected through