‘This is not what Jinnah, Iqbal had hoped for’
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_15-11-2002_pg7_27
Staff Report
LAHORE: Javed Iqbal, the son of poet-philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal, said on Thursday that both his father and Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah wanted Pakistan to be a modern, liberal and essentially democratic country.
Speaking at the inaugural session on Education arranged by the Lahore Diocesan Board of Education (LDBE) to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Lahore Diocese, the former senator and justice of the Lahore High Court regretted that Pakistan was on its way to becoming a theocratic state and that religious fanaticism and sectarianism were on the rise. Mr Iqbal said it was shameless and unfortunate that minorities felt insecure living in Pakistan because of the rising trend of religion-based violence. He also criticised US policies, particularly those initiated by Republicans, and he called upon the Bush government to look into the causes of terrorism. He opined that the US should practice norms of justice and not partisanship. He expressed regret that those most affected by US policies were Muslims. He, however, expressed the hope that better sense would prevail at this juncture and forestall a clash of civilisations.
Mr Iqbal appreciated the interfaith dialogue at the occasion, as it would create tolerance amongst followers of different faiths and peace in the world. He stressed standardising the Pakistani education system in order to promote national cohesion and called upon church-run educational institutions to promote both Urdu and Persian. He added there was dire need to incorporate common cultural values in various education systems operating in the country.
He stressed the need to familiarize students with the indigenous culture as well as literary works of great writers and Sufi poets. Mr Iqbal said his father, the poet of the East Allama Iqbal, acquired his love for Urdu and Persian while at a Church Mission School in Sialkot. He added promotion of vocational education was necessary so that all those that fail in getting higher education have means to support themselves.
Speaking on the occasion, Bishop of Lahore, Rev Dr Alexander John Malik, who is also the chairperson of the LDBE, defined education as “formation, not just information”. He said it was a process of empowerment, “Opening of minds and spirits to allow the inner person to blossom.” Mr Malik said the curricula must be cognizant of the modern world. He emphasised the need for being able to use computers and called upon teachers to entertain dissent and to counsel. Mr Malik said the vision of the church, among other things, was to serve the needy. He said it was committed to generate and pledge financial resources for education. He said the government was spending 2.3 percent of the GNP on education compared with 4.5 percent in India and 8 percent in Bangladesh, against the minimum of 4 percent of GNP as recommended by UNESCO for developing countries.
Principal of Government Kinnaird College Dr Mira Phailbus, Coordinator of LDBE former Col KM Roy and Secretary LDBE Mariam Sarfraz and other educationalists also attended.