Shazia Shah | Kashmir Pen
Srinagar, June 8: Amar Singh Club, Srinagar, on Saturday held a condolence meeting to pay tribute to its member, noted intellectual and social activist Dr Javid Iqbal, who passed away on June 4, 2026. Family members of the late scholar, including his brother Sohail Iqbal, attended the gathering.
Welcoming the participants, Club Secretary Nasir Hamid Khan described Dr Javid Iqbal as one of the club’s brightest pillars whose absence would be deeply felt. A one-minute silence was observed, followed by special Fateha prayers led by Syed Shakeel Qalander.
Speaking on the occasion, Khan highlighted Dr Javid Iqbal’s multidimensional personality, recalling his contributions as a scholar, writer, intellectual, social worker, and a passionate advocate of Kashmiri culture. He said Dr Javid possessed a rare ability to connect with people across generations and dedicated his life to meaningful public service and community welfare.
The secretary particularly recalled Dr Javid Iqbal’s participation in the Club’s Common Interest Conversations programme in January 2025, despite battling cancer. During that event, Dr Javid had reflected on the importance of civilised public discourse and later returned to writing with a widely appreciated column in Greater Kashmir titled “Debating the Debate – An Essay on Public Space Engagement.”
In recognition of his enduring intellectual and social legacy, Amar Singh Club announced the institution of the Annual Dr Javid Iqbal Memorial Lecture. The lecture series will invite eminent scholars, thinkers and professionals to speak on themes that were close to Dr Javid’s heart, with the aim of promoting informed public dialogue and civic engagement.
A special message from Dr Ghulam Qadir Allaqaband, currently in the United States, was also read out during the meeting. In his message, Dr Allaqaband remembered Dr Javid as a scholar whose knowledge of Allama Iqbal, Maulana Rumi, Islamic history and Persian literature profoundly influenced him. He also praised Dr Javid’s dedication to social service, particularly through his association with Care Kashmir International, and his courage in facing a prolonged battle with illness.
Several prominent personalities, including 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, G N War, Amir Sohail Wani, Advocate Bashir Sidique, and Saif Sohail, nephew of Dr Javid Iqbal, paid rich tributes to the departed scholar. Speakers highlighted his intellectual brilliance, command over multiple languages—particularly Persian—his empathy for society, and his unwavering belief in dialogue and reasoned debate as tools for resolving public issues.
Concluding the programme, Nasir Hamid Khan thanked participants for sharing their memories and urged society to collectively work towards the ideals and goals to which Dr Javid Iqbal had dedicated his life.
