The purpose of this online course is to help us reinvent ourselves according to the ideals of Iqbal, using nine of the movies produced by Waheed Murad (1938-1983), the famous Pakistani filmmaker. It is a mid-level course in Syllabus Marghdeen, but newcomers are also welcome.
The course is being conducted by Khurram Ali Shafique in association with Nayyer Sultana (coordinator), Raazia Attique (manager), Muhammad Umar Barkhia (technical support) and Noor-e-Hira Adeel (editorial support). Special consultants are Satish Anand (Eveready Pictures), Dr Bushra Hameedur Rahman (Punjab University), Dr Abida Ashraf (Punjab University), Dr Zahid Bilal (Okara University) and Esther Das (UK).
Content and schedule
The course will consist of seven online sessions conducted through Zoom from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm (Pakistan Standard Time) every Sunday from 15 October thru 26 November 2023.
1. Introductory session
Sunday 15 October 2023, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm (Pakistan Standard Time) on Zoom
This session introduces the rationale of the course, revisiting some of the relevant points from the previous courses (especially for the newcomers), and introduces the audio-visual and print resources that are going to be used in the course. Recommended reading: ‘The mystery behind Waheed Murad‘. The session was conducted online on Sunday 15 October 2023, and is now available on the YouTube channel in two parts:
2. The purpose of thinking and knowing
Sunday 22 October 2023, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm (Pakistan Standard Time) on Zoom
The journey begins! The participants are required to have watched Heera Aur Pather (1964) and Armaan (1966) prior to this session.
- Recommended reading: ‘Armaan of a nation‘
3. Relationship with God and society
Sunday 29 October 2023, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm (Pakistan Standard Time) on Zoom
The participants will explore how their learning from the previous session can be applied to their relationship with God and society. The participants are required to have watched Ehsaan (1967) and Samandar (1968) prior to this session.
- Recommended reading: ‘Samandar: a parable?‘
4. Self and selflessness
Sunday 5 November 2023, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm (Pakistan Standard Time) on Zoom
A journey into the depths of your soul and back! The participants are required to have watched Ishara (1969) and Naseeb Apna Apna (1970) prior to this session.
- Recommended reading: ‘Khudi, for those who want it‘
5. The meaning of completion
Sunday 12 November 2023, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm (Pakistan Standard Time) on Zoom
A blueprint for reorganizing the Pakistani society on the basis of solidarity, equality and freedom. The participants are required to have watched Mastana Mahi (1971) prior to this session.
6. The ‘Creative Truth’ and awareness
Sunday 19 November 2023, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm (Pakistan Standard Time) on Zoom
A few insights into the future. The participants are required to have watched Jaal (1973) and Hero (1983) prior to this session.
7. The way ahead
Sunday 26 November 2023, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm (Pakistan Standard Time) on Zoom
Conclusion, practical tips and an introduction to the next courses of Marghdeen.
Resources
The backbone of the course are the nine movies mentioned in the above schedule (the embedded links take you to those movies on the official channel of Waheed Murad on YouTube). It is also recommended that you study Waheed Murad: Hise Life and Our Times by Khurram Ali Shafique. More resources can be found at waheedmurad.com