Eminent scholars, writers, medicos gather at condolence meet organised by KCSDS at Amar Singh Club
SRINAGAR: Glowing tributes were paid to the late Dr. Javid Iqbal at an impressive condolence-cum-remembrance meeting organised by the Kashmir Centre for Social and Development Studies (KCSDS) at Amar Singh Club, Srinagar, bringing together eminent scholars, writers, academicians, medicos, journalists, business leaders, social activists, former bureaucrats, technocrats, friends, admirers, and members of the bereaved family to honour the memory of a man widely regarded as a distinguished physician, prolific writer, public intellectual, and committed social activist.
The programme commenced with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an, followed by a Persian na’at rendered by Fayaz Ahmad Khushkhwan. An audio presentation prepared by Wajahat (Gabriel) Iqbal, son of the deceased, was played at the outset, offering a moving portrayal of Dr. Javid Iqbal’s life, achievements, and personal attributes from a family perspective.
The meeting was presided over by Justice (Retd.) Bashir Ahmad Kirmani, who described Dr. Javid Iqbal’s demise as a collective loss to society. He observed that with his departure, society had been deprived of a prolific writer who tirelessly strove to awaken public consciousness, a vigilant social activist who kept a keen eye on societal developments and fearlessly contested social evils, and an intellectual whose scholarship was always guided by compassion and concern for the common good. He commended KCSDS for organising the programme, saying that societies which remember and honour their social activists and men of integrity keep alive the values they stood for.
Welcoming the participants, KCSDS Chairperson Prof. Hameedah Nayeem remarked that the organisation had lost its “soul and conscience.” She read out a memorial citation prepared by KCSDS in recognition of Dr. Javid Iqbal’s lifelong services to society and presented the framed citation to Bashir Siraj, a close relative of the deceased.
Rich tributes were paid by Maulana Showkat Hussain Keng, Dr. Altaf Hussain, Senior Advocate Zaffar Ahmad Shah, Ajaz Ahmad Kakroo, Nasir Naseer, Mahmood-ur-Rashid, Gowhar Geelani, Prof. Noor Ahmad Baba, Dr. Maroof Shah, Dr. Abdul Waheed, Dr. Abdul Ahad, Dr. Nazir Mushtaq, Advocate Ghulam Nabi Shaheen, Prof. Kamaluddin Farooqui, Zareef Ahmad Zareef, and Amir Suhail Wani, who highlighted different facets of Dr. Javid Iqbal’s multifaceted personality as a physician, scholar, columnist, promoter of Urdu and Kashmiri literature, advocate of social harmony, and compassionate humanitarian.
Maulana Showkat Hussain Keng described him as an authority on Islamic theology, history, and Persian mystical literature. Dr. Altaf Hussain observed that it was difficult to find another individual endowed with such a wide range of qualities. Senior Advocate Zaffar Ahmad Shah recalled Dr. Javid’s efforts in alleviating suffering during natural calamities. Prominent journalists Mahmood-ur-Rashid and Gowhar Geelani shared their experiences, while Prof. Noor Ahmad Baba and Dr. Maroof Shah spoke about their long association with the departed scholar. Zareef Ahmad Zareef recited a moving Kashmiri elegy, while Amir Suhail Wani offered poetic tributes.
The function was attended by a large gathering of distinguished citizens, including writers, columnists, former bureaucrats, technocrats, academicians, medicos, senior journalists, business leaders, and social activists. Members of Dr. Javid Iqbal’s family, including his sister Dr. Saleema Shora and her husband Dr. Shora, Bashir Siraj, Kamran, and other relatives, were also present.
The vote of thanks was presented by Abdul Majid Zargar, who expressed gratitude to all participants and thanked Nasir Hamid Khan, Secretary Amar Singh Club, for facilitating the programme. The proceedings were moderated by Syed Shakeel Qalander.