Recitation of Shikwa and Jawab-e-Shikwa by Dr Arifa Syeda
A recitation of Shikwa and Jawab-e- Shikwa was held in honor of the poet of the nation, Dr. Allama Iqbal who was one of the most influential and intellectual thinkers and poets of the Indian Subcontinent.
He is the first person from the time of British Raj who thought of a separate homeland for Muslims of Indian. Two days before his anniversary, the Philosophy Society of Forman Christian College invited Dr. Arfa Syeda to recite the thought provoking literature written by Allama Iqbal in early 1900. The students and the faculty members were invited to this academic event to enable them to have a greater understanding of the poetry.
The Shikwa was written as a question to God, asking him why he had abandoned his believers. It highlighted the socio political conditions of the Muslims of the Indian Subcontinent and demanded an explanation for their suffering and turmoil imposed upon the Muslims by the Hindus and the British rulers. When the Muslims were the ones who helped spread the word of God were the ones neglected by this entity. The complexity of the Shikwa cannot be analysed in detail, however it is understood that the Shikwa was written to awaken the Muslims of the subcontinent from their slumber of ignorance. The Jawab-e-Shikwa was meant to be God’s answer to the questions of Iqbal. It pointed to the changed attitude of the Muslim community and their lack of faith and unity. This event was well attended and the beliefs of Muslims were discussed in the context of Pakistan and its troubles.
The recitation of Shikwa and Jawab-e-Shikwa was followed by a question-answer session in which students and faculty members were given the opportunity to discuss the beauty and depth of Iqbal’s writing. The duration of this event was roughly one hour and thirty minutes and it was well received by all the Formanites attending.
