Balochistan's Provincial Minister for Education, Raheela Durrani, has said that Allama Muhammad Iqbal was a poet of deep Islamic conviction and that Quranic messages are woven throughout his poetry. She was speaking at the three-day International Iqbal Conference 2025 held in Quetta, organized jointly by the Iqbal Academy Pakistan; Rahmat-ul-lil-Alameen wa Khatam-un-Nabiyyin Authority; and Tameer-e-Nau Trust Balochistan.
Congratulating the organizers on successfully holding the historic conference in Quetta, Raheela Durrani especially appreciated the services of Dr Abdul Rauf Rafiqui, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir, and Tameer-e-Nau Trust Balochistan for their efforts in promoting Iqbal’s thought.
Addressing the participants, the Education Minister said that this landmark conference in Balochistan would serve as a guiding light for the younger generation. She urged youth to study the ideas of Iqbal, noting that Iqbal envisioned a united Muslim ummah. Because he was a poet of Islamic passion, she added, his poetry is permeated with Quranic teachings and spiritual insight.
Raheela Durrani affirmed that the Balochistan Education Department would continue to play an active role in promoting Iqbal's works in the province. She also strongly encouraged the organization of special Iqbal-focused sessions for women in Balochistan, terming such initiatives vital for intellectual and moral development.
During her visit, the Minister toured the Iqbal Academy Pakistan stall at the conference venue. Director of Iqbal Academy Pakistan, Dr Abdul Rauf Rafiqui, presented her with a set of the Academy's publications as a token of appreciation.
The three-day International Iqbal Conference 2025 brought together scholars from the United Kingdom, Maldives, Bangladesh, Iran, Kuwait, and Egypt, among others. More than 60 national and international Iqbal experts presented their research papers in Urdu, English and Arabic.
This year's conference revolved around one of Iqbal’s well-known couplets:
“With ease you can divine to some thing else is due:
Penury can not cause decline of Muslims True.”
Speakers explored the deeper philosophical, spiritual, and socio-political dimensions of this verse, highlighting its relevance to contemporary challenges facing the Muslim world.