ABOUT US
First established in Coventry, England, in 1971.
The Iqbal Academy (U.K.) was first established by Mr Saeed Hassan Butt in Coventry, England, in 1971. The Academy was registered as a Charitable Trust. It was recognized also by the Government of Pakistan, which gives it an annual Grant-in-Aid.
The founder died in 1983. In 1987, Dr Saeed Durrani became the new Chairman, and he greatly expanded the activities of the Academy — through lectures, publications, its library, and events held with partners across the United Kingdom. The Academy works throughout in close association with Iqbal Academy Pakistan, Lahore, with whom it has jointly hosted its commemorative conferences.
- Founded
- Coventry, 1971
- Founder
- Mr Saeed Hassan Butt
- Chairman since 1987
- Prof. Dr Saeed A. Durrani
Aims & Objects
Trust Deed · ten objectsThe Academy is governed by a Trust Deed, which sets out ten objects. They have shaped every lecture, publication and conference the Academy has held since 1971.
- Introduce the poetry and philosophy of the late Dr Sir Muhammad Iqbal to the British public in general.
- Establish a centre for research into the works of Iqbal and the influences that shaped his thought.
- Establish an Iqbal reference library covering works by Iqbal himself and by Eastern and Western thinkers and writers who influenced him — including comparative religion, metaphysics, Sufism, science, society, art, literature and history.
- Publish a journal of Iqbal studies.
- Advance the cause of harmonious race relations and inter-communal cultural contacts in general.
- Organise public lectures, conferences, educational assemblies and classes to broaden awareness of Iqbal's work and message, and of the wider cultural contacts it fosters.
- Grant scholarships and bursaries, and hold exhibitions, to advance the writing and translation of books relevant to Iqbal's thought.
- Commission the writing and translation of books, and hold classes, to spread Iqbal's message among the public and the younger generation.
- Do all else the Academy's Trustees, Office-bearers and Management Committee consider desirable to disseminate Iqbal's thought and message.
- Cooperate with other national and international Iqbal Societies, Foundations, Academies and kindred bodies to achieve the above aims.
As set out in the Trust Deed of Iqbal Academy (U.K.), a Charitable Trust registered in Great Britain.
Highlights
1987–2008- 1987
Iqbal & Mysticism
International Seminar, November. Proceedings published in Iqbal Review, Lahore.
- 1993
Iqbal Portrait at Trinity College, Cambridge
Gulgee's portrait installed at Iqbal's alma mater in the presence of the painter and the Master, Professor Sir Michael Atiyah.
- 2000
Millennium of Music
Classical (Sufi) Music of the East, in the presence of HRH Princess Sarvath El Hassan of Jordan, at the Symphony Hall Birmingham.
- 2008
Iqbal in Europe Centenary Conference
With Iqbal Academy Pakistan; London & Cambridge, June.