I was at the IQBAL meeting and paid  full attention to the WHOLE proceedings (re. Iqbal). I fail to understand why are you inviting comments on Khalid Sohail's article only.

Dr. Taqi Abedi's paper was a jewel of Research work on Javed Nama - much more scholarly, thought-provoking and inspirational than collective facts, legends and episodes on Iqbal's private and personal life as presented by Khalid Sohail. When the pseudo intelligentsia of a Society and  the Aalims the Mullahs with total support and blessing of the Government passionately believe in the phenomenon of untouchable "Sacred Cows" than that society unwittingly chooses to close the doors of intellectual growth, freedom of thought and an healthy difference of opinion.

When Iqbal went to Europe he was a dashing intellectual from the East, an urbane and dynamic scholar. If the ladies of Europe were not smitten by his wit and charm (like Pushkin and the ladies of St.Petersburg) it would have been abnormal - to say the least. The fact that he returned home, "in tact", with his enlightened burning soul and rejuvenated  mind is his greatest achievement. His failed marriages, his apparently ungentlemanly, uncouth and irrational behavior toward his spouses was a proof that he was like Ghalib, Mir, Mirage, Joan Elia was a normal human being. The most striking characteristic of great personalities, Poets, Authors, Philosophers and Creative Minds - to which Dr. Sohail could have highlighted - is that  difficulties, handicaps or small peccadilloes in their personal lives do not create an iota of an dent on their creativity, class, genius or the greatness.  

Some people at the meeting, unfortunately, tried to create controversy which was totally uncalled for. Dr. Abedi should not have to come to "defend" Iqbal - as there was no need for it. His paper on Javed Nama  was a masterpiece of Research. In my opinion, Khalid Sohail and Abedi sahab should have a private meeting to sort out a minor "flawed" info in Khalid's paper. As I know Khaid for 25 yeras - a thoroughly cultured scholar - I am sure he would not mind my suggestion.

Athar Razvi

http://www.atharrazvi.com