First Allama Iqbal Awami Mela and Book Fair is being held by Iqbal Academy Pakistan in Greater Iqbal Park Lahore from November 9 to 17.
Thousands of people would participate and attend this Mela which would be 9 days long cultural and educational activity in the city. This Mela is the largest activity in the history of Iqbal Academy Pakistan. Zaheer Ahmed Mir Chairman organising committee of the Mela said describing the aims and objectives of the activity that it would be a new tradition regarding dissemination of thought and message of Allama Iqbal in society. He said that keeping in view the vision of Prime Minister, that society must be enlightened with the thought of Allama Iqbal, Iqbal academy Pakistan has decided to make the message and thought of Iqbal accessible for a common man through various activities. This Mela is the first activity of this kind which would be continued in all country later on.
He said that Allama Iqbal Awami Mela and Book Fair not only will be a source of promotion of Iqbal’s message but it will also provide an opportunity to Iqbal scholars and Iqbal lovers to have a get together to share their ideas and to make their efforts for promotion of Iqbal’s thought in society. The participation of universities colleges schools and other educational institutions in the festival will further vasten the impacts and benefits of the Mela.
A large number of college and university students would attend the Mela. An important part of Mela is the book fair. Publishers from all over the country have participated in the book fair with their publications on thought and philosophy of Allama Iqbal. Books on maximum concession would be available in the Book Fair which would promote book reading in the society.
Apart from book fair activities for students, youth and different sectors of society are also part of Mela. English and Urdu debates, poetical competitions singing of poetry of Allama Muhammad Iqbal and quiz competitions about personality, thought, philosophy and poetry of Allama Iqbal are included in it. Seminars on economic thought of Allama Iqbal and on signification of thought of Allama Iqbal for reconstruction of society on the model of Riasat e Madina will also be arranged in the Mela. Theatre on Iqbal’s poetry and musical Sufi Nights will also be held during this event.