JMI organizes Hadi Hasan Memorial Lecture “Nationalism, Revivalism and Pan-Islamism

 

JMI organizes 22nd Professor Hadi Hasan Memorial Lecture under the theme “Nationalism, Revivalism and Pan-Islamism: Shifts in the Political and Cultural Imaginings in Allama Iqbal’s Poetry”

The 22nd Professor Hadi Hassan Memorial Lecture was solemnly held on 17 February 2026 at the Hall of Iranology, Department of Persian, Jamia Millia Islamia

 

The lecture was organized under the theme “Nationalism, Revivalism and Pan-Islamism: Shifts in the Political and Cultural Imaginings in Allama Iqbal’s Poetry.” The programme commenced with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Dr. Yasar Abbas, setting a dignified tone for the proceedings. The distinguished guests were thereafter formally welcomed with bouquets.

 

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Ravi Kant Mishra, Joint Director of the Prime Minister’s Museum and Library, New Delhi. The session was presided over by Professor Mazhar Asif, Sheikh-ul-Jamia (Vice-Chancellor), and graced by Professor Iqtidar Muhammad Khan, Dean, Faculty of Humanities.

 

In his scholarly and thought-provoking lecture, Dr. Mishra presented a comprehensive analysis of the poetic and intellectual evolution of Allama Iqbal. He observed that Iqbal’s poetic corpus may broadly be divided into two distinct phases: the pre-European period and the post-European period. Elaborating on this framework, he critically examined seminal poems such as Himalaya, Ram, Shikwah, and Jawab-i-Shikwah, along with major works including Bang-i-Dara, Asrar-i-Khudi, and Javid Nama. He further illuminated Iqbal’s nuanced engagement with nationalism, patriotism, revivalism, and his conception of a comprehensive Islamic vision. The lecture traversed multiple intellectual terrains—culture, literature, language, philosophy, and history—demonstrating both academic depth and interpretive clarity.

 

In his presidential remarks, Professor Mazhar Asif described Allama Iqbal as a multifaceted and visionary thinker whose poetic expression continues to resonate with themes of national consciousness and civilizational awakening. Reflecting upon the legacy of Professor Hadi Hassan, he noted that although Persian was not his primary academic specialization, he rendered invaluable services to the promotion and enrichment of Persian language and literature, leaving behind enduring scholarly contributions.

 

Professor Iqtidar Muhammad Khan, in his address, characterized the lecture as intellectually enriching and highly beneficial for students and scholars alike. Dr. Mohsin Ali formally introduced Professor Hadi Hassan and the distinguished speaker, Dr. Ravi Kant Mishra. The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Professor Syed Kaleem Asghar, Head of the Department of Persian. The proceedings were efficiently coordinated and conducted by Dr. Zahra Khatun.

 

The event was attended by several eminent faculty members, including Professor Abdul Halim (Department of Persian), Professor Habibullah (Department of Arabic), Professor Preeti Sharma (Head, Department of History), Professor Kausar Mazhari (Head, Department of Urdu), Professor Iraq Raza Zaidi, Dr. Anwar Khairi, Dr. Mazharul Haq, Dr. Ilyas, Dr. Rahma Javed, Dr. Zulfiqar Ansari, Dr. Shoaib, Dr. Naushad Manzar, and Dr. Naveed Jafri Dehlvi, along with a large number of students and scholars from Jamia and Jawaharlal Nehru University.

 

The lecture concluded on a note of intellectual engagement and academic inspiration, reaffirming the enduring relevance of Allama Iqbal’s thought in contemporary discourse.