In the memory of Alama Iqbal, a prominent Pakistani intellectual, an informative event was held on Sunday at the premises of the Pakistani International School, Aziziah (PISJ-Aziziah).
The Pakistan Studies Forum at the PISJ-Aziziah in cooperation with Nazariya-e-Pakistan (Ideology of Pakistan) Trust organized the program, which aimed to raise awareness among the student body about the importance of their country’s founding ideology. The president of Nazariya-e-Pakistan Trust, Safiya Ishaq, emphasized the importance of teaching Pakistan’s ideology to the youth in order for them to better understand the importance of the country’s history, including its foundation and separation from India as a Muslim country.
“The main aim of organizing the event is to remember the founding ideology of Pakistan, its importance, the message of Iqbal to the nation, especially the youth and the value of Pakistan’s stability. Pakistan’s ideology was shaped by Alama Iqbal, it was his dream and was fulfilled by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan,” she said.
She elaborated further, saying, “It is our duty to protect the ideology and work toward its progress and actualization.”
Ishaq thanked Vice Principal Farhat Naeem and organizing teacher Bint-ul-Hasan for providing the platform in which students could obtain a better understanding of their country’s history and founding philosophy. Tasneem Zaman, head of the English department at the school presented a paper entitled “Reflections on our Ideology,” explaining how the country’s ideology is rooted in Islam. “Why do we need this ideology? The answer is that our existence, our survival as a people and as a nation depends on it,” she explained.
The honorary guests of the event were Afsha Aftab Khokhar, the Pakistani consul general’s wife; Imrana Siddiqui, the vice consul general’s wife; and Rifat Puri, a social worker.
Khokhar praised the efforts of Nazariya-e-Pakistan and its objectives and mission. She urged young Pakistanis to concentrate on their education, which she said is tremendously valuable for the nation and its progress. “If the students grasp the true meaning of Pakistan’s ideology, they would be better equipped to appreciate the importance of our nation,” she said.
Farhat Naeem, the vice principal of PISJ-Aziziah, also emphasized the importance of the youth’s appreciation of the founding fathers’ vision in the context of the country’s stability.
Students of PISJ-Aziziah participated in speeches on Yawm-e- Takbir. The debate competition was judged by Rubila Rathore, principal of Al Biladi International School; Rubina Akbar, principal of Badr International School; and Nighat Nadeem, president of the Pakistani Ladies Club. Dramatic presentations and national songs were also featured in the program.