Glowing tributes due paid to Allama Iqbal at a session organised by Motamar Al-Alam Al-Islami (World Muslim Congress) at its headquarters in Karachi on Nov 9, to celebrate the 137th birth anniversary of the great poet.

The session was addressed among others by the Secretary General of the Motamar Senator Raja Muhammad Zafarul Haq. Raja Zafarul Haq said Allama Iqbal through his scholarly work and poetry rekindled the spirit of enlightenment among the otherwise disillusioned people of the subcontinent.

Allama Iqbal was the unanimously elected Vice President of Motamar Al-Alam Al-Islami the first major platform of Muslim world established after the disbandment of Ottoman Caliphate in Turkey.

He said that Motamar Al-Alam Al-Islami was also the first prominent organisation of Islamic countries after the first World War.

Raja Zafarul Haq said Allama Iqbal whose work is still cherished by the Muslims across the globe was particularly keen to engender self-respect, confidence and self-realisation about their very existence as Muslims and their responsibility towards each other. This very spirit of Allama Iqbal continues to spearhead Muslim youth around the globe including those from Iran who till date acknowledge impact of Iqbal on their struggle against Pehalvi dynasty, he said while referring to his meeting with a senior leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution.

Referring to the Kashmir dispute Senator Raja Zafarul Haq said Pakistan established as a separate homeland for Muslims holds every right to support Kashmiris in their demand for right to self-determination. "We do demand that referendum must be conducted in Kashmir on the pattern of Scotland to determine their will and status", he said.

Raja Zafarul Haq also referred to different resolutions adopted by the United Nations on Kashmir.

Later talking to the media he said it was high time to get united for the cause of national integrity.

The session was also addressed by Abdullah Dadabhoy, Mir Nawaz Khan Marwat, Abdul Maalik Ghauri, Mehfooz un Nabi, Khawaja Razi Haider and Ali Akber Gujjar.

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