Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The speakers at a condolence reference held here at the Cultural Consulate of the Embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran on Thursday euologised veteran Persian Professor Dr Syed Muhammad Akram Shah for his meritorious services in promoting unmatched literature in Persian language and Iqbal Studies.
The reference was presided over by Cultural Councilor of the Embassy of Iran Ahsan Khazai where many students and associated of Late Professor Dr Akram Shah.
In his opening remarks, Ahsan Khazai said the later Professor Dr Akram had a powerful that played the role of bridge between the two countries of Pakistan and Iran. He was the teacher of many Iranians and Pakistanis and if he had been in Iran then he would have had the status of a Professor of Tehran University which is the most prestigious varsity of Iran, he added.
The condolence reference, he said was small token of thanks and a tribute to his great contribution towards the service of Persian language. He underlined that Prof. Akram was a great poet and he had elected his few verses to recite during the reference.
Cultural Councilor Khazai noted that Prof Shah’s poetry was in classic Persian and also recited his selected verses before the participants.
Prof Dr Syed Muhammad Akram Shah was the Chairman of Department of Iqbal Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore and Professor Emeritus, Department of Persian, University of the Punjab, Lahore and also former Dean Faculty of Oriental Learning, University of the Punjab, Lahore and Chairman, Department of Persian, University of the Punjab, Lahore.
Head of Press, Embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr Masoumeh Ghulami who was one of the students of Prof Dr Akram Shah said Akram Shah was a great mentor and an expert of Iqbal studies whose demise was a great loss for all.
She mentioned that there were many condolences messages received from Iran after the news of his death spread across Tehran. Ghulami also read out loud the condolence messages the Foreign Office spokesperson of Iran and Iranian Ambassador in Pakistan.
Students of late Dr Akram, Khanum Anjum Hameed, Dr Sikander Zaidi student of Dr Akram, Khanum Rizwana expressed their reverence and sincere regards for their mentor and were of the view that he was a versatile personality with a very fit and active mind.
He used to admire courage and loud passionate voice of his students and imparted skills to his students through his leadership qualities and expertise.
Former Vice Chancellor University of Karakorum, Dr Aziz Ali Najam also praised the former Head of Persian Department of the University of the Punjab.
Dr Abdul Basit Mujahid, Khanum Dr Shakila Rafiq, Masooma Batool also shared the grief of the deceased mentor and said that he was their great asset and they would always feel his absence.
Syed Muhammad Ramzan Moussavi who was also student of Dr Akram and a mentor of Persian language said that Dr Akram was a very kind, courteous and great teacher and man of letters.
He held great command over Iqbal Studies and used to teach the subject with great passion and love.
Former head of NUML Department of Persian, Dr Mohammad Safeer said that without Dr Akram’s books on Iqbaliyat no one can understand Iqbal Studies. His personality was dynamic and was the biggest Iqbal Studies expert of this century who possessed a strong memory, he added.
