Daily Times

A booklet containing select verses of Allama Muhammad Iqbal in Chinese language was launched at Pakistan Embassy, Beijing, accoding to a report published by Gwadar Pro on Friday.

This event is part of festivities to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China. Pakistani Ambassador to China, Moin Ul Haque hailed Iqbal’s philosophical depth, political acumen and artistic brilliance. He said that Iqbal’s message has a universal appeal and it transcends the narrow limitations of creed and nationality and that his contributions to philosophy and literature are a common heritage of the mankind.

Ambassador Moin expressed the hope that this book would popularize Iqbal in China and deepen cultural linkages between the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Zhou Nasreen, Head of Urdu Language Department of Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) paid glowing tribute to Allama Iqbal for his timeless poetry and enlightening philosophical thought. She recalled that Chinese intellectuals have always held Allama Iqbal in high esteem and many of his famous poems have already been translated into Chinese language.

Prof Nasreen said that Iqbal’s vision of ‘Khudi’ (Self) and his struggle for justice and fair play has remained a topic of immense interest in China. During the event, the Chinese students of Urdu Language Department of BFSU also recited Iqbal’s verses.