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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Sialkot, A pakistani city.

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Entrance to the Sialkot Railway Station (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Indo-Greek Bust (Photo credit: Prato9x)

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

Alphie,Susan and Gepetto and I,Ranu are on our way to Sialkot.  We are interested because this is where,Allama Mohammad Iqbal was born.Iqbal was a famous poet,philosopher and thinker. We have done some research about the city.

Five thousand years ago,it was ruled by a dynasty of a founder of Sialkot. His name was Raja Sul. The city was the easternmost outpost of Alexander’s empire.From 160-135 B.C Sialkot was the capital of the Indo-Greek empire. In the Scythian era the story is about Raja Salivahan. He belonged to the Sia Caste,a jut clan.Thus the people named it Sialkot.

Next came the Mughal era.Shahabuddin Ghori conquered Sialkot and it came under the Mughal rule.

After the Mughals,it came under Pastuns families from Kandahar and Kabul.Next the Sikhs gained control and ruled for forty years. The British were the last rulers,before it became an independent city of Pakistan.

The city is about 125 km North-West of Lahore.It is only a few kilometres from Indian controlled Jammu.

Sialkot district has sub-tropical climate.It is cold in the winter and hot and humid during summer. The land is fertile. The average rainfall is 1000 mm.The highest rainfall is from July to September.

It is the birth place of Allama Mohammad Iqbal the poet, philosopher and thinker.The house where he and his family lived,is now a museum.It is open to visitors.There is also a tomb of Imam Sahib. He was a Sufi.He is a famous saint of Sialkot.

The northern part of this district is believed to be very fertile.The chief crops grown are:wheat ,barley,rice,millet,corn and sugar cane.

It has flour and cotton mills.It produces surgical instruments,Leather goods,ready made garments,musical instruments and sporting goods. It exports most of its products. We enjoyed our stay in Sialkot .It is different from other cities we visited.   Gepetto was interested to see the sport goods.He wanted to take some home.His parents didn’t think it was a good idea. They had collected a lot of souvenirs on their trip.

Our trip to Sialkot was very pleasant.We were able to see a lot. The people were friendly and helpful. Alphie,Susan And Gepetto will take back fond memories of this trip.

Now the moment has come when we all have to bid goodbye to Sialkot and its inhabitants. Thanks for showing your city.

To all our friends and visitors a very fond goodbye. Allah Hafiz and May God bless you all.