Struggling for identity
It is unfortunate, to say the least, that popular debate on Iqbal Day now revolves around whether or not the day should be a national holiday. Or great national poet continues to exercise influence over large parts of the region and beyond. His thought is still popular in Iran, Afghanistan, even China and the Balkans; and, of course, much of Europe. It is, sadly, only at home that his message has been lost and his ideals abandoned as the Islamic Republic itself struggle for an identity. Iqbal, much like Jinnah, has been reduced to slogans. And while his poetry is openly misinterpreted by all sorts of interest groups – including, initially, the Taliban – the state does little to initiate a debate on Iqbal’s real vision.
Even school books do not do Iqbal much justice. He remains a much larger local and international figure than the man attributed with the idea of what later became Pakistan. His interpretation of Islamic doctrine, just like his revolutionary advocacy of worker-rights and his deep-rooted political understanding, especially of the Asian region, is hardly given much attention. His philosophical theses, too, were kept alive by the Europeans, not us.
Significantly, though he disagreed with democratic ideals, his political understanding was profound. He was among the first to find Jinnah the best man for the job, and helped gather the Muslims behind him. He also, rightly, warned very early about feudal tendencies dominating the League. His regional prophesies, as those regarding misusing religion, have stood the test of time. Perhaps it is still not too late to realise that we have followed Iqbal, and other founding fathers, less in deed and more in word. Pakistan, today, is a far cry from the Fort of Islam that it was supposed to be. The leaders, and the people, should take Iqbal Day as a moment of reflection, regardless of whether it is a working day. That would be one small step in beginning to right some wrongs.
