A seminar titled "Allama Iqbal's thought on nationalism" was held today, Wednesday (12 November 2025) at 11 am at the Central Library Auditorium of CU at the initiative of the Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC). The Chief Guest was the Honorable Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) of Chittagong University, Professor Dr. Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan, and the Honorable Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) of Chittagong University, Professor Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin, were present as special guests. The seminar was presided over by Professor A.K.M. Mahfuzul Haque (Mahfuz Parvez), President of the Department of Political Science, CU, and Professor Dr. Baseera Ambreen, Institute of Urdu Language and Literature, Oriental College, Punjab University was speaker at the seminar.

In his speech as the chief guest, CU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Dr. Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan said, Allama Iqbal's main idea was that it is possible to form a nation through religious and cultural ideology. He repeatedly said that Muslims should survive in the world with Islamic cultures and religious thoughts. Based on his thoughts, the Lahore Resolution was proposed in 1940. Then India and Pakistan were born on the basis of the two-nation theory. Later, in 1971, we gained independence through the freedom struggle. Allama Iqbal's thoughts contributed to making Bangladesh an independent sovereign state. Allama Iqbal was both a poet and a statesman. At that time, the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) assured to set up a research center on Allama Iqbal at Chittagong University.

In his special guest speech, CU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin thanked IQAC and said that Allama Iqbal has combined tradition and modernity in his cultural thought. And his anti-Western stance was rooted in his criticism of Western materialism, spiritual emptiness, and colonialism. He saw Islam as a complete way of life and gave Muslims a sense of their own cultural and political identity.

Seminar speaker Professor Dr. Baseera Ambreen said that Allama Iqbal prioritized the unity of the Muslim community based on Islamic values, rising above ethnic or geographical divisions. He wanted the awakening of the youth. He was one of the proponents of the two-nation theory. He firmly believed that Muslims are a distinct nation and have the right to protect their interests politically. Allama Iqbal was a cultural icon of South Asia. He was a poet of humanity, a poet of self-realization. Currently, nation must follow Allama Iqbal's principles of human welfare, if they want to be free from problems.

Dr. Baseera Ambreen said that Allama Iqbal strongly criticized Western territorial nationalism. According to him, defining nationality on the basis of language, race or only birthplace makes people divisive. He saw materialism and imperialist nationalism as a kind of materialistic and imperialist consciousness, which ignored the moral and spiritual aspects of human. Allama Iqbal proposed the concept of 'Muslim nationalism' or 'Millat' as an alternative to conventional nationalism. For him, the basis of nationality was not a territory or a nation, but the ideal of Tawhid (oneness) of Islam and a common spiritual and cultural identity. It advocated a global Muslim brotherhood, transcending the boundaries of race, tribe and language. His nationalist spirit was not a narrow patriotism, but a universal message of ideological unity and spiritual awakening.

The seminar was addressed by Professor Dr. Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, Director of CU IQAC. Other speakers at the seminar included Professor Wahidur Rahman of the University of Education, Lahore, Visiting Professor Dr. Mehran Najafi Hajibar, Visiting Professor of CU Persian Department, Professor Dr. A.K.M. Abdul Quader, President of CU Arabic Department, and Professor Dr. Muhammad Fariduddin, Director of CU Nazrul Research Center. Teachers and students from various departments were present. The seminar was moderated by Sheikh Soheli Afroz, a student of CU Political Science Department.

On this occasion, Dr. Baseera Ambreen also presented a book on Allama Iqbal, which was compiled with her scholarly and literary contribution. The book has been published under the auspices of the Pakistan High Commission for Dhaka and is beautifully printed. It is written in both Urdu and Bangla languages.