Allama Iqbal Honoured in UK: Pakistan’s High Commissioner Unveils Commemorative Plaque of Iqbal at Shakespeare’s Birthplace

 

STRATFORD–UPON-AVON: The poet of  The East Sir Allama Muhammad Iqbal  has been  honoured  in the UK as his commemorative   plaque has been  placed on Shakespeare’s  Birthplace in    Stratford–Upon-Avon .  Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK  H.E. Wajid Shamsul Hasan, unveiled the Plaque on  Friday, 23 April which is  inscribed with calligraphy of Urdu, Persian and English versions of   Iqbal’s poem on Shakespeare .  English rendition of  the poem  has been done by eminent scholar Professor Dr. Saeed Durrani, Chairman Iqbal Academy UK .

 

The unveiling of Iqbal’s memorial plaque took place amidst  traditional  celebrations of  Shakespeare‘s  Birthday , a popular annual festival that dates back to two hundred years and where artistes from different parts of  the  world including USA and Russia  give performances  besides those from the UK . This year Pakistani  folk artistes  joined the international performers.  

 

Rich tributes to the two great poets of the world  from East and West were paid by the speakers  including  High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan, Professor Stanley Wells , CBE, Chairman of  Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust (SBT) , Dr. Diana Owen ,  Director  SBT and  Professor Saeed Durrani Chairman  Iqbal Academy UK, Professor James Shapiro of Columbia University New York .  Renowned classical artiste Zia Mohyeddin recited poetry  of  Iqbal whereas folk artistes from  four provinces of Pakistan ,  specially  visiting UK for performance on the occasion,  captivated the audience with their  superb performances.  The Mayor of  Stratford-upon-Avon and Pakistan High Commission  also hosted receptions on the occasion.

 

In his opening remarks , Pakistan ’s High Commissioner  H.E. Wajid  Shamsul Hasan  said that  with the placing of an Iqbal memorial Plaque in Stradford-Upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was born and rests in immortality,  was  homage to the strength of literature and arts which is immortal and indeed transcends borders and times.

 

Paying rich tributes to the  two great poets he said  ”living in times, almost three hundred years apart, I believe that William Shakespeare and Iqbal share the distinction to rise beyond the narrative and describe the innermost and the most profound aspects of human nature”

 

Commenting upon Iqbal’s vision of  Pakistan Mr. Hasan said that “ like Pakistan ’s founder Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah he too was opposed to religious bigotry and extremism. Many of his verses described clerics as those for whom religion was a tool to create dissensions in the body politics of Muslims. He was a stout exponent of Sufi Islam—Islam a religion with a universal message of peace, love and harmony for all”.

 

While highlighting the recognition of work of Iqbal  beyond the geographical boundaries of Sub – continent  Mr. Hasan said  “the attention he has received from numerous academics writers, translators, and critics from Western as well as Islamic countries testifies to his stature as a world literary figure. The great intellectual late Anna Marie Schimmel devoted her life to the study of Allama Iqbal”  he further added that” Iqbal is a “poet-philosopher whose  poetry and philosophy do not exist in isolation from each other; they are integrally related”.

 

Expressing his views about William Shakespeare Mr. Hasan said that Shakespeare's influence on the English-speaking world is reflected in the ready recognition of  many quotations from Shakespearean plays, the titles of works based on Shakespearean phrases, and the frequent performance of his plays. Other indicators of contemporary influence are his inclusion in the top 10 of the "100 Greatest Britons" poll sponsored by the BBC, the frequent productions based on his work, such as the BBC Television Series Shakespeare, and the success of the fictional account of his life in the 1998 film Shakespearean Love.

 

Dr Diana Owen, Director of The Shakespeare Trust said, “We are dedicated to the worldwide promotion of Shakespeare's work and are delighted to commemorate Dr Sir Muhammad Iqbal's poem to Shakespeare, here where Shakespeare was born and grew up. We look forward to hosting our guests from Pakistan and recognising the great work of the Poet-Philosopher of the East, Muhammad Iqbal.  Diana adds, “As Shakespeare wrote in Anthony and Cleopatra, ‘I th' East my pleasure lies’. The study and enjoyment of both these world famous writers brings enormous pleasure to millions and the traditional Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations here in Stratford offer a timely opportunity to explore our shared cultural heritage and build understanding between nations."

Dr. Paul Edmondson, Head of Learning at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust adds, “Shakespeare alludes to " India " or the "Indies" several times: a distant land which was coming into increasing prominence with the developing trade routes to Europe . Most memorably, there is the enigmatic Indian boy in A Midsummer Night's Dream. One can imagine Shakespeare himself being amazed, delighted, and rather humbled by Iqbal's moving poem. At least, that's how we feel at the Shakespeare Centre.'

   

Lead folk artistes, representing Pakistan ’s provinces Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Gilgit-Baltistan   included  International fame Dhol player Saghir Ahmad , flutepPlayer Baqar Abbas, vocalist Akhtar Chanal, singer and  Ektara specialist Bushra Marvi with the legendary Alghoza player Veehomal, and Sarinda player  Munir Sarhadi’s successor Ejaz Sarhadi . The visiting artistes were  joined by UK based Pakistani  performers Raja Kaashif and group, Roshan Abbas and Naheed .

 

 

April 23, 2010

 

Last updated: 23 April 2010