Summary: The 149th birth anniversary of the poet of the East, Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal, is being celebrated across Pakistan today, November 9. On this occasion, the nation is paying tribute to his services in the Pakistan Movement, Islamic thought, revolutionary poetry and efforts to create a sense of self, unity and awareness among Muslims. The President and the Prime Minister have also declared Allama Iqbal’s thoughts as a beacon of light for the new generation.
Islamabad: The 149th birth anniversary of the national poet and great thinker, Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal, is being celebrated across Pakistan today (Monday), while various events, seminars and special programs are being organized across the country to remember his literary, intellectual and political services.
Born on November 9, 1877 in Sialkot, Allama Iqbal played an important role in raising the awareness of freedom, self-reliance and their separate national identity among the Muslims of the subcontinent through his poetry, philosophical ideas and political insight.
Allama Iqbal is known as the Poet of the East. His thought inspired Muslims to understand their religious, cultural and political identity and to struggle for collective development. His poetry is not just a literary expression but also a comprehensive message of self, action, knowledge, faith and human dignity.
Allama Iqbal’s services in the Pakistan Movement are of historical importance. While addressing the All India Muslim League session in Allahabad in 1930, he presented the idea of organizing the northwestern Muslim-majority areas of the subcontinent into a political unity. This speech of his proved to be an important intellectual milestone regarding the political future of Muslims and their demand for a separate homeland.
Although Allama Iqbal died on April 21, 1938, before the establishment of Pakistan, his thoughts and political vision played a significant role in providing the ideological foundation for the Pakistan Movement.
The basic message of his poetry is connected with Islamic teachings, spiritual awakening, self-confidence and practical struggle. He advised Muslims to live their lives under the guidance of the Quran and Sunnah, acquire knowledge, strengthen their character and promote justice and fairness in society.
Allama Iqbal’s concept of self is the most important part of his philosophy. Through this concept, he taught man to recognize his abilities, strengthen his personality and constantly strive to achieve lofty goals. According to him, a strong personality of an individual plays a fundamental role in the formation of a self-reliant and developed nation.
Allama Iqbal gave special importance to the love of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), the unity of the Muslim Ummah, Islamic civilization and spiritual values in his poetry. His words invite Muslims to move towards knowledge, research and positive action, overcoming despair, servile thinking and intellectual stagnation.
His famous works Bang-e-Dara, Bal-e-Jabrail, Zarb-e-Kaleem and Asrar-e-Khudi are still considered important assets of Urdu and Persian literature. His poetry has given the youth a message of lofty aspirations, freedom, courage and self-confidence through the symbol of the falcon.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have also paid tribute to the national poet in their separate messages on the occasion of Iqbal Day. The President highlighted the message of respect for the common man, equality, rights of workers and social justice in Allama Iqbal’s poetry, while the Prime Minister termed his thought as important for the academic and intellectual training of the younger generation.
The Prime Minister has also announced the start of a year-long national and international celebrations from today to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal. Academic conferences, research seminars, literary fairs, exhibitions and educational activities will be organized in this regard.
On the occasion of Iqbal Day, educational and literary institutions in different parts of the country are highlighting his life, poetry and philosophy through special programs. Government and private offices and educational institutions are also closed due to the public holiday.
Allama Iqbal’s thought still provides important guidance for Pakistan. His ideas emphasize education, research, economic independence, national unity, social justice and building a strong character.
The real demand of his birth anniversary is not only to remember the celebrations and poetry but also to adopt his message in practical life. His message to the younger generation is especially a reminder that the progress of nations is associated with knowledge, character, hard work, self-discipline and collective responsibility.
Iqbal’s shrine, located near the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, is still a symbol of national devotion and respect. Despite the passage of several decades after his death, his poetry and intellectual legacy continues to inspire Urdu and Persian readers around the world, including Pakistan.
On the occasion of Iqbal Day, the nation is reiterating its resolve to convey the message of Allama Iqbal’s thoughts, Islamic values, national self-reliance, and knowledge and research to the new generation so that a strong, independent, and developed society can be formed in accordance with his vision.
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