Image by Aslam Kamal

The Mehfil will be hosting an afternoon workshop on Sir Muhammad Iqbal's poem 'Jawaab-e-Shikwa' at the Royal Asiatic Society in London.

Following on from our previous workshop on Allama Iqbal's Shikwa (Complaint), join us in the close reading and interpretation of his famed work, Jawaab-e-Shikwa (Response to the Complaint ). Known as Shair-e-Mushriq (the Poet of the East), Iqbal's poetry written mostly in Urdu and Persian is regarded among the greatest of the modern era.

Knowledge of Urdu is required - material will also be provided in English/ Urdu/romanised Urdu. For those who were unable to attend our first session on Shikwa, an English translation of Shikwa will be provided if required.

This is the second in a series of workshops on Iqbal's most known works that we will be hosting this year. Works explored during the series include Shikwa, Jawaab-e-Shikwa, Khidr-e-rah, Saaqi Nama and a selection of Iqbal's Urdu and Persian ghazals.

The workshops will be conducted by Tasnim Firdaus, Director of Language & Literature Programmes at The Mehfil. Tasnim's academic interests include classical Urdu and Persian poetry and Persian in the Indus valley. Tasnim has has worked as a lecturer of Urdu and Persian language and literature in Pakistan and has a teaching career spanning over 30 years.

This workshop will be held on Saturday 2nd November from 2pm-5pm at the Royal Asiatic Society, 14 Stephenson Way, London, NW1 2HD. Tickets are £20 and are available here. ***Refreshments will be provided during tea breaks. Doors open at 1.45pm and the session will begin promptly at 2pm***