Interview with Iqbal Shafi, May 9, 2010

Interview Summary

This interview with retired Pakistani Brigadier General Iqbal Shafi begins with an overview of his childhood in Aligarh (India). He then gives background information regarding both the maternal and paternal sides of his family. Iqbal then talks about his early education, tracing it from his nursery school days to his high school graduation. Iqbal then starts to discuss his memories of the Pakistan movement. He remembers with emotion his reaction to hearing Muhammed Ali Jinnah speak at Aligarh Muslim University. Shafi then talks about Pakistan being a homeland for Muslims, as well as his memories of Mahatma Gandhi?s visit to Aligarh Muslim University. He also talks about his negative feelings towards Abdul Kalam Muhiyuddi Ahmed Azad, who sided with the Indian National Congress against Mahomed Ali Jinnah. Shafi also gives a brief history of the movement, which started when the British still occupied India. Next, Iqbal relates his personal involvement in the Pakistan movement as a student in Aligarh Muslim University. He talks about his work electioneering for Muslims who hoped to be elected to the Indian National Congress, a position for which he had to drop out of the university for a year to travel around the country. Shafi then talks about his decision to join the Indian Army after his graduation from Aligarh Muslim University. Shafi talks about his decision to migrate to Pakistan the age of nineteen, as well as his father?s dream that he study Islamic law. He then talks about his father?s decision to stay in Aligarh (India) after the establishment of Pakistan. Shafi also briefly talks about his time at Aligarh Muslim University, before ending the interview with what he feels are the losses and gains caused by the establishment of Pakistan.

Interview Keyword

Brigadier generals Pakistan Army Aligarh Muslim University Pakistan movement Pakistan Elections. Indian National Congress

Interview LC Subject

Pakistan--History India--History India--History--Partition, 1947 Pakistan movement British--India--History Brigadier generals Pakistan. Army. Aligarh Muslim University

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Interview Usage

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