Tagheyyur.

I made a new friend. We met at the ninth batch of our online course Introduction to Iqbal Studies and instantly hit it off. She is from Kashmir and that is one of the major reason Source of writing this post. Whenever we end our conversations she always asks me to say her salam to everybody, and that means Everybody! I find it endearing. Nobody has ever made such a request of me. First I was shy, as to how to give her salam to the people in Pakistan but then the idea of writing this post, in order to honor her wish and to tell the world about her, came to me. Therefore, first and foremost; Salam/Peace to you, dear reader, from the valleys of Kashmir. The most touching idea about this exchange for me is; she cares about us, Pakistanis. It brims my heart with so much joy and love, my heart expands and is ready to burst out with happiness. I could never know that somebody could love selflessly. For I have always heard people telling us that Kashmiris no longer like Pakistan, ...

The 9th batch of Introduction to Iqbal Studies started this month and I am co-facilitating it with my honorable teacher Mr. Khurram Ali Shafique. This post is about my long journey at Marghdeen Learning Centre; first as a participant and then actively working for it. Interestingly, I was in the first batch of Introduction to Iqbal Studies in June 2011 when it all started. and at that time I had never imagined that I will be one day assisting my teacher run this very course. I remember how I felt when I started studying at MLC. It was the first time I took up virtual learning seriously [apart from my Spanish online lessons]. I was skeptic of some of the ideas presented in the lessons but our teacher was ever so patient and led me to the point where I became devoted to that very idea, the city of Marghdeen . Looking back at myself in my fresh year I was unrelenting, rigid and well, n aïve . Running this course with my teacher is proving to be so healthy, spiritually! It feels ...

The mind of Goethe, The heart of Rumi, The message of the Quran. This was the unparalleled legacy of the poet-philosopher credited with birthing a nation and a state, and at no other time has the world been more ready to embrace his ideas than it is right now.  The story of his mind, and what he taught, as told herein from a new and compelling angle, leads us on a trail of discovery towards a new way of life. You're invited to approach this as a handbook for implementing his life-giving ideas. The above-quoted blurb reflects the spirit in which my new book, Iqbal: His Life and Our Times, is being offered. The book is a tribute to Iqbal by ten sovereign states, since it is being published jointly by Iqbal Academy Pakistan and the Cultural Institute of the Economic Cooperation Organization, which is the successor organization of the RCD and now includes Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The...

However much I would like to punch Haqqani in the face, I will stick to just facts and teach him some history lessons which he studied long ago and which American shine and glam dazzled out of his brain. "Haqqani said that Pakistan wouldn't be able to fight USA". Not that I want to go on war with any country or I am a jingoist. Nor do I hate US. Yes, I don't like her policies for her fellow countries and I have issues with that. I want the problems to be solved with as much peace as we can work out. We need to act like adults and spare the world of the nukes. Thank you. I don't know what made Haqqani say that . May be the war paraphernalia US has been able to acquire in all these years, or the courage of her soldiers or determination of her generals, or the money they have or how they have always been invading/controlling the countries. I will just talk about 'how' Haqqani is wrong in his claim. Haqqani must remember that the great Alexander was d...

My sister is looking for a good internship program these days and SuperTec sounded good. I went along with her to explore this world as an outsider and I must tell you that it was one of the best experience of my life.  The environment was friendly. The participants had a chance to interact with each other as well as with the curator freely which made the experience more lively. We had the chance to get to know the individuals who are striving in their own unique styles for the betterment of Pakistan. It was heart warming to see such enthusiasm and hope in the youngsters to share with people what they know. About the Foundation:  Supertec was founded on July 2012 .   Their Mission is: To equip the common people with useful technology that empowers them to be more productive.   VISION: Supertec Foundation is Advisors and Consultants to NGO's. It is our way of giving back to the world in a more organized way. General information:   Super Tech...

“Nations are born in the heart of a poet, they prosper and die in the hands of a politician.” Stray Reflections .   Today we, the Pakistani nation, proudly boast of being the nation who was born in the heart of one of the greatest poet of world history. Dr. AllamaIqbal stands tall among the giants who go on living despite of having ceased to exist in the world. Iqbal is one of those people who personify the concept of immortality. After many decades of his death, he still lives in many forms among us; through his written work, his services, and his ideas. He is among those few people who are cherished and owned equally by East and West and his work has been researched and appraised by scholars around the world. Today I am going to look into one of the many facets, which make him a legend. I want us to remember why we need him now and what he has to offer us in these trying times. When I started studying AllamaIqbal, the thing that struck me most was the gra...