Iqbal says that our perception of what is possible or impossible is often coloured by what we want and do not want. Thus, if a people have the "will" to achieve universal agreement, it can or may be achieved. Sir Syed, on the formation of the Mohammadan Educational Conference, in 1887, said:
"We should meet and convey to each other our views regarding the education and progress of the nation. Whatever mistake there might be in our thinking should get corrected through the views of others, and the course of action acceptable to everybody should be adopted."
It is obvious that the 67 muslims who founded the conference wanted to meet not to criticise each other but to correct their "own" mistakes and resolve conflicts and misunderstandings until they were on the same page. They had the "will" for such an agreement, and this will resulted in "Universal Agreement"* amongst the Muslim Community which ultimately lead to the formation of Pakistan.
Where is that will NOW, when we need it the most. A century ago, our forefathers met with the intention and resolution to correct their own mistakes, we now meet only to point out and highlight the mistakes of others. Our representatives meet in the parliament to pour allegations on each other. The whole nation seems to be engaged in fruitless arguments that can never lead to consensus of any kind.
Even the most vital issues can't seem to unite us - in fact, lead us further towards division - and the reason I see behind it is this lack of will to unite, to agree, on our part as a nation. We just think that we are so divided and that universal agreement is so impossible between us that there is no use trying. Hence our lack of hope leads to this lack of will - we have no faith in ourselves, nor in our compatriots.
If only, only we could revive this will, this collective will to come together and look for a solution, to have the patience and maturity to stand being corrected by others instead of criticizing and maligning others. If only each and every one of us has the courage to admit that they may be wrong, while their brother may be right. If only we realize that Pakistan was formed due to Universal Agreement achieved by the Collective Will of the muslim community of the sub-continent, and that no change can ever be brought about unless we revive that collective will which may then give rise to a universal agreement for change.
"We should meet and convey to each other our views regarding the education and progress of the nation. Whatever mistake there might be in our thinking should get corrected through the views of others, and the course of action acceptable to everybody should be adopted."
It is obvious that the 67 muslims who founded the conference wanted to meet not to criticise each other but to correct their "own" mistakes and resolve conflicts and misunderstandings until they were on the same page. They had the "will" for such an agreement, and this will resulted in "Universal Agreement"* amongst the Muslim Community which ultimately lead to the formation of Pakistan.
Where is that will NOW, when we need it the most. A century ago, our forefathers met with the intention and resolution to correct their own mistakes, we now meet only to point out and highlight the mistakes of others. Our representatives meet in the parliament to pour allegations on each other. The whole nation seems to be engaged in fruitless arguments that can never lead to consensus of any kind.
Even the most vital issues can't seem to unite us - in fact, lead us further towards division - and the reason I see behind it is this lack of will to unite, to agree, on our part as a nation. We just think that we are so divided and that universal agreement is so impossible between us that there is no use trying. Hence our lack of hope leads to this lack of will - we have no faith in ourselves, nor in our compatriots.
If only, only we could revive this will, this collective will to come together and look for a solution, to have the patience and maturity to stand being corrected by others instead of criticizing and maligning others. If only each and every one of us has the courage to admit that they may be wrong, while their brother may be right. If only we realize that Pakistan was formed due to Universal Agreement achieved by the Collective Will of the muslim community of the sub-continent, and that no change can ever be brought about unless we revive that collective will which may then give rise to a universal agreement for change.
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