Amar Singh Club to Institute Annual Dr Javid Iqbal Memorial Lecture | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Amar Singh Club, Srinagar on Sunday announced the institution of an Annual Dr Javid Iqbal Memorial Lecture to honour the memory and intellectual legacy of noted scholar, columnist and social activist Dr Javid Iqbal, who passed away on June 4, 2026.

The announcement was made during a condolence meeting organised by the club, which was attended by civil society members, intellectuals, lawyers, academicians, cultural personalities and members of Dr Javid Iqbal’s family, including his brother Sohail Iqbal.

Speaking on the occasion, Club Secretary Nasir Hamid Khan said the gathering had assembled “with heavy hearts, but also with profound gratitude” to remember “a truly great soul of Kashmir.”

A one-minute silence was observed and special Fateh prayers were led by Syed Shakeel Qalander.

Describing Dr Javid Iqbal as “one of the brightest pillars” of the club, Khan said he was a rare multi-dimensional personality known for his intellectual depth, compassion, wit and commitment to society.

“Whether he was engaging in sharp scholarly debates, sharing his profound wisdom, or simply warming people with his signature wit and charm, he left an indelible mark on everyone he met,” Khan said.

Recalling Dr Javid Iqbal’s association with the Amar Singh Club, Khan referred to his participation in the club’s ‘Common Interest Conversations’ programme in January 2025 despite battling cancer.

“He referred to himself as ‘a writer of sorts’ and his voice that evening showed absolutely no sign of the pain he was going through,” Khan said, adding that the discussion later inspired him to return to writing.

Soon after the event, Dr Javid Iqbal authored a column in Greater Kashmir titled “Debating the Debate – An Essay on Public Space Engagement,” in which he stressed the importance of civilised public discourse and protection of public spaces.

Quoting from the article, Khan said Dr Javid Iqbal believed that “debate provides the forum for civilised interaction” and warned that shrinking public spaces create “fault lines in public management.”

Announcing the institution of the annual memorial lecture, Khan said the event would serve as a permanent platform to invite eminent thinkers, scholars and professionals to deliberate on subjects close to Dr Javid Iqbal’s heart.

“Through this lecture series, his intellectual legacy would continue to inspire, enlighten, and guard the very public spaces he urged society to protect,” he said.

A special message sent by Dr Ghulam Qadir Allaqaband from the United States was also read out during the programme. In his message, Dr Allaqaband recalled Dr Javid Iqbal’s deep knowledge of Allama Iqbal, Maulana Rumi, Islamic history and Persian literature.

He also highlighted Dr Javid Iqbal’s social service, particularly his contribution to Care Kashmir International, and described the courage and patience with which he faced his prolonged illness.

Rich tributes were paid to Dr Javid Iqbal by senior advocate Zaffar A Shah, Saleem Beig, Dr Altaf Hussain, Abdul Majeed Zargar, Syed Shakeel Qalander, Zareef Ahmad Zareef, Prof Hamida Nayeem, Qurat-ul-Ain, Amir Sohail Wani, Advocate Bashir Sidique and his nephew Saif Sohail.

Speakers remembered him as a distinguished intellectual with command over several languages, particularly Persian, and as a strong believer in dialogue and measured debate as a means to address public issues.

Concluding the programme, Khan thanked participants for sharing their memories and expressed hope that society would work collectively towards the ideals and values Dr Javid Iqbal stood for throughout his life.