My first year in Iqbal studies

I started the on-line Iqbal studies in November 2011. I have almost completed one year. The final date of one year completion will be next week. My interest to do the course was only based on a poem I had read. Being naturally curious I took this daring attempt.

I had no past experience . I knew nothing about the poet,philosopher. I took one course in the first semester. The first few assignments were challenging for me. I started to feel a bit more comfortable as I was going along. There were a wide range of topics introduced. I realized then I would have to train myself to start studying from the very beginning,there did not seem to be any room to procrastinate. This is what I did from school right through to college and university. Soon enough I realized if I want to know about Iqbal,I would have to leave my bad habits behind.

I must have really gotten rid of them.One day my daughter remarked,”Mom I never saw you working so hard.” I felt this is a positive comment from my kid. I felt good about myself and thought,no one forced me to do this. I was interested  I should therefore make sure I am up to the task.

I may not know as much as the others,they know a lot more because they have studied about him in school and college.I did not.

I am finding it very interesting. There are a variety of topics in this course,there is philosophy.psychology, religion,politics,poetry and many others.We are given assignments by email,we study the text,and answer the questions and write our comments.

The course provider is Mr. Khurram Ali Shafique. He is an authority on Iqbal the poet and philosopher.He has written several books which are already published.He is writing some more.I guess in order to excel in life,this is what one needs to do. He is a very dedicated person. We are lucky to have him as our course facilitator.

In a year I have gained quite a bit of knowledge about Iqbal. I am thankful to Iqbal Academy,Pakistan, for providing this course, also Mr.Shafique for his hard work and dedication.

It has also helped me to be a blogger.It is something I did not try before. I have picked up some very good habits.I love to read, write and I do not waste my time watching television,or watch movies on youtube .I watch some television shows that I like. I also watch movies that are good.

Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938), a notable Muslim philosopher, poet and scholar from India (then British India) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Istiqlal Mosque or Masjid is in Jakarta, Indonesia. It is the largest Mosque in Southeast Asia in terms of capacity to accommodate people and building structure. This national Mosque of Indonesia was built to commemorate Indonesian independence ,as nations gratitude for God’s blessings.The name Istiqlal is an Arabic word for independence. After the independence of Indonesia from the Netherlands in 1949, the idea became popular to build a Mosque for a country with the largest Muslim population in the world.

There are seven gates to enter the mosque,each named after Al-Asmaul-Husna the names of God in Islam. The number 7 represents 7 Heavens in Islamic Cosmology. The ablution fountains are located on the ground floor.The main prayer hall and the main courtyard are on the elevated first floor. The main rectangular prayer hall is covered by 45 metre diameter central spherical dome. The number “45” symbolizes the year of proclamation of independence 1945.the main dome is adorned with stainless steel ornamental pinnacle that took form of a crescent and star,the symbol of Islam. The smaller secondary dome is also adorned with stainless steel pinnacle with Arabic calligraphy Allah.

The dome is supported by twelve round columns and the prayer hall is surrounded by rectangular piers carrying four levels of balcony. Twelve columns represent the birthday of Prophet Muhammad on twelfth Rabi-al- Awwal. The main building of Istiqlal consists of five floors,’5′ represents the Five Pillars of Islam .It also represents Pancasila ,the five principles of Philosophical foundation  of the Indonesian nationhood.

On the main wall on qibla there is a mihrab and minbar in the center. On the main wall there is also a large metal work of Arabic calligraphy of Surah Taha 14th verse in the center.

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‘My visit to London England’.

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I was always interested to go to London.I knew in my heart,it may not be easy to go there,judging from the fact it cost a lot to go  for a visit.My only option was somehow I have to get a scholarship to fulfill my dream.

You see I was never a star student,I hated to learn everything by heart i.e rote memory.I always knew,there was no way I am going to take my books and keep reading a passage until I could write it down word for word.I felt I should read the page more than once and try to figure out,how much I have retained and do I comprehend the paragraph or the page.Surely I said I will only be able to answer the questions if I understood what I have read.This was my way of learning.

Time was passing by famously,I was able to successfully complete my degrees,Meanwhile I spent some quality time reading the classified adds.To my surprise I saw what I was looking for,The British Council was awarding scholarship to London,England.There were varied subjects,my interest was to apply for,’Teaching English As A Foreign Language.’I was delighted.I immediately jot down the address.Now I had to put my certificates together.I did that and was about to mail it,When I checked everything,I noticed I had to send my application through the principal of the school.All my enthusiasm suddenly was deflated.I wasn’t sure this through the channel would work for me.Suddenly I was hit with an idea,why  not I send my application and tell the authorities,since the deadline is the 17th I wanted to send my application to be able to meet the deadline.I did that and told them I will request the Principal to send my formal application.

It worked out like I wanted it to.I stayed quiet about this plan of mine.I did not tell my siblings what I was aiming to do.My darling siblings I said to myself must not know this,if I failed to get the scholarship they would make life miserable for me.

I got word that I had an interview at the office of the British Council.The day arrived I went and waited for the secretary to call my name.When I entered the room I noticed a large oval table practically taking the whole space in the room.There must have been seven of them.I calmly sat down on one of the chairs,making sure not to look at any of the interviewers,I knew if I looked,it would be all over and I would fail.After going through the task of answering the questions.I was told I could go.

I felt I was waiting for eons,I received a thick envelope,I opened it and to my dismay found the tickets and other relevant papers.The ticket in hand I went home told my Mom.

This was the first time in my life I was travelling to London.I stayed in a residence near Russel square.My stay was very pleasant.I visited Madame Tussaud’s museum,British Council Library ,Trafalgar Square.

We went to Llanberis in North wales for teaching practice and Malta.I had a good time and also got my diploma In Teaching English As A foreign Language.