Pakistan celebrates 128th birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal in befitting Manner
PakistanTimes.net Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan celebrated the 128th birth anniversary of Poet-philosopher Allama Iqbal in a befitting manner on Wednesday.

Different social, cultural, educational and literary organisations have planned number of programmes and activities to mark the day and pay tributes to the man who envisioned a separate homeland for Muslims of India, which led to creation of Pakistan.

The government has declared the day as Holiday and all the government offices and educational institutions were closed. National flag remained hoisted atop all important public buildings with mounting of ceremonial guards at Mazar-e-Iqbal followed by laying of floral wreath.

The daylong programmes started with special prayers for the solidarity, unity and prosperity of the country and for the early liberation of occupied Kashmir in mosques. Special prayers were also offered for the early recovery and rehabilitation of quake victims while Fateha was offered for the departed souls.

Fateha and Quran Khawani was held at mosques and the Mazar and a large number of people visited the Mazar to pay their homage to the Poet of the East. Dignitaries placed floral wreaths and pray at his mausoleum, and politicians and the public also visited his tomb. Special events were arranged to highlight the poet’s life and his services to the nation, and the electronic media broadcasted special programmes.

In Iqbal’s birth city, Sialkot a special function was held at Iqbal Manzil (the birth place of Allama Iqbal) to commemorate the occasion. A special ceremony was held at Mazar-e-Iqbal in Lahore where change of guard will take place. People in large number visited the eternal abode of the Poet of the East to pay homage to the great poet and philosopher, who envisioned a separate homeland for Muslims of India which led to creation of Pakistan.

Markazia Majlis-e-Iqbal organized the main Iqbal day function in Lahore at Alhamra. Vice Chancellor Beacon-house University Sartaj Aziz presided over the function, where speakers included Dr Javed Iqbal, Dr Allama Tahir ul Qadri, Raza Rubbani, Mowahid Hussain Syed, Qasim Raza Pirzada, Professor Humayun Ihsan.

President Markazia Majlis-e-Iqbal Justice (Retd) Sardar Mohammed Dogar, Editor in Chief 'The Nation' Majid Nizami, Secretary General Markazia Majlis-e-Iqbal Arif Nizami and Joint Secretary Munib Iqbal also attended the event, where a galaxy of intellectuals paid homage with rich words to the venerated Poet of the East by recalling his great thoughts and wisdom which depict the luminosity and evocative features of Islam.

Perspective

Allama Iqbal, who originally belonged to the Himalayan State of Jammu & Kashmir, was born in Sialkot on November-9, 1877. He went to Government College Lahore and later received advanced degrees at Cambridge University, the University of London, and the University of Munich. While in London, he also studied law.

On his return to India he practiced law but was praised nationwide for his poetry. He had become a Muslim activist after his return, as indicated in a speech ‘Islam as a Social and Political Ideal’ at Aligarh in 1910. He promoted ideals of brotherhood, justice and service among Muslims. ‘The Song of Eternity’ written in 1932 was his masterpiece. He died in Lahore on April 21, 1938.

Thought-provoking Poetry

Iqbal’s thought-provoking poetry has been an inspiration for many and he has been admired throughout the subcontinent. Even musical bands have used his poetry and received acclaim.

Intellectuals say his undying poetry has freshness and hope and a message for all, and his god-gifted ability to transform complex feelings into rhyming words and phrases is beyond that of a usual poet. He is known to be a man of great vision.

Iqbal emphasises the role of youth in Saqi Nama, saying the young are full of passion and new ideas, and outdated rituals should not stop them from exploring new horizons.

President, PM ask nation to follow Iqbal’s Teachings

President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have said the teachings of Allama Muhammad Iqbal have great relevance in the present age and highlighted need to learn from teachings of the poet-philosopher who advocates the foundation of the New World by wedding intellect with love.

In a message to the nation on Iqbal Day, the President paid rich tributes to the poet and said he has suggested the path of understanding Islam in its true perspective in the context of the realities of the modern world. “His approach is pragmatic and based on a deep understanding of the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him),” he stated.

Underlining the relevance and importance of Iqbal’s teachings in the present age, he said “there is more than ever before, a need for us and the people of the West to learn from the teachings of Iqbal who advocates the foundation of the New World by combining intellect with love”.

Iqbal, he said, perceives and promotes Islam’s just view of social organization, which is in step with modern times. “He advises Muslims to courageously proceed with the work of reconstruction of thought for their socio-economic uplift, he challenges divisive forces and calls upon the Ummah to unite, “from the banks of the Nile to the Sands of Kashgar”.

President Musharraf recalled that Iqbal was deeply troubled by the suppression of Muslims of South Asia and could foresee their continued subjugation with the end of colonial rule. He envisioned a separate homeland for them and devoted his entire energy for their liberation and emancipation.

The President recalled that poet’s efforts rekindled hope and awakening among the Muslims of South Asia and led to their rallying round the leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for the creation of our beloved homeland, Pakistan. “May Allah give us the wisdom to serve our nation, Islam and humanity in light of the teachings of Allama Iqbal. Ameen.”

Message by the PM

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has asked the nation to follow the message of Allama Mohammad Iqbal in its true spirit and make Pakistan into a modern, progressive, democratic Islamic state. The Prime Minister in a message on the 128th birth anniversary of Dr Allama Iqbal said he made significant contribution to change the destiny of the nation from a hapless minority in India to be the proud citizens of an independent country.

“Not only he advocated a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent, but he also with his poetry he instilled a new spirit into them and made them conscious of their strength.”  His poetry made the people realize that they were a nation by every standard and, not merely a religious minority. This, he added, was the beginning of the philosophy of Pakistan.

“I strongly believe that whatever the circumstances, we shall always need Allama Iqbal’s inspiring message for consolidating Pakistan. His verses are as relevant today as when they were written. Let us remember this particularly on his birth day, which should serve as a reminder of the debt that we owe him.”

The Prime Minister said, “It is my privilege to greet the nation on this important day. I hope that every one of us will keep his message in mind forever and strive to shape this country into a true image of his dream—the dream of an independent, developed, modern and progressive democratic Islamic state for millions of the Muslims of the subcontinent.”●