The book launch ceremony for the valuable work "Iqbal's Letters to Atiya Begum", a collection of correspondence between Allama Iqbal Lahori and Atiya Begum Faizi, was held on Thursday, February 12, 2026, hosted by the Cultural Consulate of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Islamabad, in joint collaboration with the ECO Cultural Institute.
This cultural event, aimed at deepening literary ties among regional nations and revisiting the intellectual heritage of Allama Iqbal Lahori, serves as an effective step toward strengthening regional cultural integration.
According to the ECO Cultural Institute's public relations, a video message from Dr. Mohammad Hassan, President of the ECO Cultural Institute, was broadcast during the opening session. Emphasizing Allama Iqbal Lahori’s transboundary significance, he stated: "The collection of Iqbal’s letters is not merely a literary work, but a strategic document for a deeper understanding of intellectual currents and human bonds across the ECO cultural landscape. Publishing such works in various regional languages is our primary mission in the path toward unified identity-building and cultural cohesion." The President of the ECO Cultural Institute also reaffirmed the Institute's continued support for original and influential research in the field of Iqbal Studies.
The session continued with the presence of other senior ECO officials and prominent academic figures, including Dr. Syed Komail Tayebi (President of the ECO Science Foundation) and Mr. Majeed Meshki (Cultural Counselor of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Islamabad). Speakers highlighted the unique role of personal correspondence in understanding the human dimensions of great personalities and stressed the necessity of coordination between scientific and cultural institutions for the recording and publication of such treasures.
In the technical segment of this literary gathering, Dr. Muzaffar Ali Kashmiri (Book Translator) and Dr. Hakimeh Dastranji (Editor) explained the research challenges and technical features of this edition. Additionally, renowned scholars such as Dr. Mehr Noor Mohammad Khan, Dr. Talib Hussain Sial, and Dr. Mohammad Qamar Iqbal analyzed the content of the letters, describing the work as a new window into the private thoughts and hidden facets of the Persian-speaking poet’s character.
The ceremony concluded with the official unveiling of the book and an appreciation of its creators. It is noteworthy that this exquisite work has been published by the ECO Cultural Institute Publications.