{Featured Photo from Pakistan National Monument Museum, Islamabad, December 25, 2018.}
“Nations are born in the hearts of poets, they prosper and die in the hands of politicians.”
– Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal
It is another moment in Pakistan’s history, a moment which some may perceive to be a “window of opportunity,” and others, a ‘downward spiraling,’ ‘tumultuous,’ ‘perilous,’ ‘political crisis’ in a “hard country.” Certainly a fascinating debacle for the distant, comfortable observer. The social or political scientist. The anthropologist. The poet. The scholar. Of course the people who endure the greatest consequences from failing or failed leadership, are those too often deemed unworthy to be heard. Nevertheless, it is an invitation to reconceptualize leadership and governance, in an increasingly divided and polarized country. There remains a strong desire for social and economic change from Pakistanis and the Pakistani diaspora around the world. I won’t say more on this within this space, however, in these moments there is always a need to take a step back, breathe, and reflect.
As I noted in the previous post, last month was National Poetry Month in America, and I did want to take a few moments during that month to honor a few poets. Unfortunately, I broke my promise to myself again, but you can only do so much, so we must be forgiving to ourselves and just keep trying to make space for the things we love in our life. But like Ramadan, the “worship” doesn’t have to be limited to a specific month. 🙂 And I had a few posts ready and some in mind. This particular post was finished, among several others, and sat as a draft in this blog, while I tended to other urgent matters. I don’t think it was those matters that prevented me from pressing submit. But I have indulged on the “imposter syndrome” quite a bit in previous writings and will indulge it further at another time. I’d like to share this now. And continue pushing myself to press submit on my work. As my readership is limited or perhaps non-existent, I write for the sake of catharsis and continued apprenticeship, and yes, the potential for “connection” if my words will be worthy of such a blessing. I just know, similar to painting, if I do not write, I will suffocate, so I, yet again, as I have done in previous posts, will try to push for whatever moments I can spare… to write.
I thought a good poet to honor for April’s National Poetry month was one that has been a part of my journey to understand this fascinating country of Pakistan: Sir Allama Muhammad Iqbal. I am not an expert in the poetic interpretation, especially of Urdu poetry and English translations of Urdu poetry, but I do have a strong appreciation for it. Surely many I know have a stronger affinity and familiarity with the Allama than me, but I had the opportunity to get a little more acquainted with his influence across Pakistan during my fieldwork, visiting some notable places or in my memorable, beautiful and invigorating conversations with Pakistanis about Pakistani politics, foreign aid, regional dynamics, community development programs, and Pakistani arts and culture.
Some of the noteworthy areas I explored was Pakistan’s National Monument in Islamabad, the National Monument Museum, as well as the Lok Virsa Museum. I really treasured this learning experience. It was truly special. Anytime I was not conducting interviews, I did everything possible to soak up as much cultural immersion throughout my travels, that could inspire my research, and other writings, which I think is all very essential to conducting independent research and fieldwork.
There was a day during my stay in Islamabad, Pakistan, that I decided to take a trip to the National Monument, which was not far from where I was residing at the Parliament Lodges. It was Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s birthday (December 25th, 2018), known as the founder of Pakistan. I spent that entire day with the National Monument and at the Museum. I remember how content and at peace I felt that day to make it out there, exploring on my own, as always, and take pictures similar to what I often do at the Washington National Monument (see this post), while living in America’s National Capital area. A way I never forgot any place I traveled around this country, or any person I met during my travels, was being fully present and fully aware of my emotions and even noting the sentiments in my field notes and personal journals.
And I have thousands of photos from my time that day, and other places in Pakistan which I haven’t had the chance to put together…. I will keep them and share them as I remember them, like I am doing here, and incorporate some photos in future articles and a future book I am working on at the moment… I referenced this in a recent previous post here: http://www.warrioretkqueen.com/fieldwork-nostalgia/ …. When I see the difference between the quality of these photos, and the quality of those from today, in 2022, it reminds me of how time is passing, and whether this will be of any value. I must proclaim there remains great value in these photos and I’d like to try to write a series of photo essays, from the fieldwork, going forward, at the freedom of my own pace, whether they emit any value to others or not, and hopefully I will some day have an opportunity to incorporate new memories when I am able to make it back there again… inshallah….
Here are some more from Quaid-e-Azam’s Birthday (Dec 25, 2018) at the National Monument of Pakistan, Islamabad:
I remember being excited to learn that the Allama was a PhD scholar when finding this (photo below) in the Museum. 😉 I did not know that part of his biography!
I appreciate this signature pose by our Allama (photo above), which is depicted in many of his paintings and sculptures.
When I was thinking about Dr. Iqbal last month, I was reminded of that moment in Islamabad as well as being able to see him in one of Pakistan’s biggest cultural and literary hubs: Lahore. I wrote briefly about my time in Lahore (November 22-25, 2018) on my other blog, where I blogged about the first half of my fieldwork (in the second field assessment) here: http://www.elsatkhwaja.com/2018/11/28/born-again-from-purana-and-naya-lahore-to-khewra/ .
And here are some albums of pictures I created on Facebook about my time in Lahore:
Lahore, Lahore Hai: Part 1A: AKTC Tour
Lahore, Lahore Hai: Part 1B: AKCSB Tour
I had the opportunity to visit several shrines in Pakistan during my Fieldwork. One of them was of course the shrine of Sir Muhammad Iqbal. And it was through a tour of the Lahore Fort and Walled City provided to me by the Aga Khan Foundation and Aga Khan Trust and Culture branch of the Aga Khan Development Network. Here is me paying my respects to Iqbal Saheb.
It was quite a special moment for me, as I know it is for any Pakistan enthusiast who is familiar with Iqbal’s influence, to be acquainted with Sir Mohammad Iqbal himself for a brief moment in time, and during my very special dissertation fieldwork in my parent’s homeland.
As I will share in a more detailed post in the near future, I was quite blown away by my exposure to the arts scene in Pakistan, from these tours of many different institutions and places around the country, and also engaging and interacting with many artists, poets, writers, architects themselves, who I just happened to meet through my “snowball sampling efforts,” many who were also devoted to public service, politics, and community development efforts in Pakistan. Here is an article I came across from 2015 that talks about how Allama Iqbal continues to influence many artists and writers throughout the country: https://tribune.com.pk/story/981054/payam-e-mashriq-art-inspired-by-iqbals-poetry-on-display.
In Islamabad, I met such an artist/writer, Ms. Shireen Geba Najib (also mentioned in that article), at the December 2018 Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)’s Sustainable Development Conference. She invited me to her home one day for a cup of chai, and showed me some of her work at her residence in Islamabad. It was magnificent. Her entire home filled with large beautiful paintings she done herself inspired by Iqbal, Rumi, and other famous poets. She generously gifted me a copy of her amazing book of paintings inspired by the words of the Allama: “Allama Iqbal’s Tulip of Sinai” from the Message from the East (which was published in 1923), and which happened to be one of my absolute favorite passages of Muhammad Iqbal’s poetry..
I really appreciate her dedication page to the Youth. I still keep her lovely book of references from Iqbal’s “Tulip of Sinai” close to me. Ms. Shireen is truly an inspiration to me with her writing and painting… As I too love to write and paint. I was so happy to learn more from her book, and in our conversations. I recall she gave me some very important advice and I still think about it from time to time. One thing she encouraged me to do was recognize that all it may take to get a project done (whether it be a book or article or painting, etc.), is just dedicating a small block of time, once you push through the inertia and get started, and it’s important to not let it hang over you. Sometimes it would only take a weekend or two weeks, but it just needs to be put out there and off your shoulders. She said it better. I really value that advice with all the work that remains in my hands unfinished and incomplete of which I want to share with the world, including from all the fieldwork I completed in Pakistan three years ago.
One of the first book of poems I had in my possession as a child, that connected me to Pakistan, was this book featured here. I believe it actually belonged to my father originally, we kept it in my childhood bedroom in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and I have kept it close to me for many years.
There are many powerful thought-provoking verses from Iqbal in this book of poetry, translated by V.G. Kiernan. Verses that continue to match the moment we are facing in Pakistan, Amreeka, and around the world. I’d like to share something a little lighter that inspires me for this moment. It is from one of my favorite Allama Iqbal poems, is Pyam-i-Mashriq (The Message of the East) “Song of the Stars” and I found this in a beautiful song form here in Farsi…
“….In search of worlds and other worlds, we watch and journey on.” – Sir Dr. Muhammad Allama Iqbal
As I noted earlier, Amreeka had been honoring National Poetry Month. As a Pakistani American, born and raised in what I call the heart of America (Oshkosh, Wisconsin), juggling and navigating both cultures has been and will continue to be a life-time journey and challenge for me, as it is for many American Pakistanis and other minorities and children of immigrants. Part of that challenge has been to stay connected to our roots, if that is something we truly desire. I personally have tried to do this academically as well as through the arts. And for me, the literature has been helpful in that noble quest. My formidable yearning to understand this country has connected me to various aspects of the culture I wouldn’t understand unless I made that strong effort myself in any possible way I could, even beyond the many thanks to the parents for taking me and my siblings back to their country during our childhood. My doctoral journey became an important part of that, but it is a story and a journey that can never end, and that must continue…
Just a few weeks ago, I came across this memory in Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elsa.khwaja/posts/10156824728631572
… and I wrote this on that post:
“I found this note in one of my little journals from my Pakistan fieldwork…lol … the first date is the date I wrote this I believe… the second date is the date I started my trip ( which was the second field assessment in Pakistan)…I wrote a few poems… one in really bad “Urdenglish” or perhaps I should say “Bollywood Hindi”…. lol… someday I’ll have the courage to share them … it’s true though…something about Pakistan can bring out the artist in you…especially when a third of the people you interview for your dissertation research, just happen to be artists and writers as well!”
Here is that note:
I know that reading Muhammad Iqbal’s work from time to time helped me stay connected to Pakistan and even Islam in a very spiritual way. It is why Sir Iqbal is considered the “Spiritual Father of Pakistan.” His love for humanity and dedication to service, understanding of the power of knowledge, self-awareness and the yearning to comprehend the internal struggles we endure, is what I have admired the most about this great philosopher.
My love for poetry alongside my love for this country has introduced me to other great poets of Pakistan and the desire to learn more is overbearing, overwhelming, and will never cease. I can appreciate the great poets of both nations and have their insights reflected in the contributions I aspire to make as a Pakistani-American citizen. Iqbal is a globally celebrated poet, one of the most significant in the 20th Century, and from the 5th most populous country in the world. We celebrate and honor poets around the world who have contributed to society and culture. It is so important for me to learn about the the poets that have influenced the culture of Pakistan, as it has been growing up in the education system in America, learning about Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Edgar Allen Poe, Dorothy Parker, Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, Sylvia Plath, E.E. Cummings, etc…. And what I have learned about Mohamad Iqbal over the years is how much of that has influenced generations of Pakistanis who love and appreciate their country.
In recent years, I noticed how poetry and the rhythm of recitation is ingrained even in the way public figures and political leaders speak in this country. It is quite entertaining and sometimes endearing. I recall a moment back in November 16, 2018, having the opportunity to sit in the final Senate Session chamber, witnessing Politicians screaming at each other, thanks to Senator Khushbakht Shujat Ali Baig, who also caught that precious moment on Pakistani Television:
Poetry has the power to propose a reexamination of our civil discourse. Remembering the poets and the visions that unite us can allow for a refreshing reminder, or a break away from the screams that divide us. Words can be a powerful force in both positive and negative ways. Poetry can reveal the pain and truths behind the stories we carry with us, in a very powerful, visceral manner. May we continue to value the wisdom behind the beautiful words of the great Sir Allama Muhammad Iqbal and be reminded of it as we think about the future of this country and beyond.
Tere Ilm-O-Mohabbat Ki Nahin Hai Intaha Koi
Nahin Hai Tujh Se Barh Kar Saaz-E-Fitrat Mein Nawa Koi
There is no limit to your knowledge and love;
In the instrument of nature there is no sweeter song than you.
– Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal
Peace, Warmth, and Blessings,
Your Sister, Dr. Elsa
Warrior KQueen
“She wasn’t looking for a Knight. She was looking for the Sword.” – Atticus
1
0