Nation commemorates Iqbal Day today with enthusiasm
The nation on Sunday commemorated 148th birth anniversary of Poet of the East Allama Muhammad Iqbal, with the pledge to revive his message to address contemporary challenges, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
A change of guard ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Poet of the East in Lahore.
Rear Admiral Sohail Ahmad Azami, who was the chief guest of the ceremony, later inspected contingents of Pakistan Rangers and Pakistan Navy.
A smartly turned contingent of the Pakistan Navy assumed the charge of guards.
Chief guest Sohail Ahmad Azmi laid a floral wreath on the Mazar and offered fateha and wrote his remarks in the visitors' book.
Allama Iqbal’s dream was that youth should write their own destiny and create a new world with their own imagination.
Iqbal was an Islamic thinker and his dream was the unity of the Islamic world and the establishment of peace in the world.
He saw the Muslim Ummah as one body.
Today, the world needs this message of Iqbal so that there is brotherhood instead of sectarianism, love instead of hatred, and justice instead of use of might.
Iqbal’s vision awakened the spirit of independence and self-determination among the Muslims of the subcontinent.
In his address at the All-India Muslim League session in 1930, he had emphasized the importance of securing the rights of Muslims which laid the foundation for a sovereign nation.
Iqbal’s legacy goes well beyond his literary works such as Asrar-e-Khudi, Rumuz-e-Bekhudi, and Bang-e-Dara, which explore matters of identity, spirituality and freedom.
His insistence on political representation for Muslims and on values rooted in Islam has left a lasting imprint on Pakistan’s national identity.
President for renewing pledge to Allama Iqbal’s principles
In his message on the birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal, President Asif Ali Zardari stressed the need for renewing commitment to Poet of the East’s principles and drawing strength from his ideals for a brighter future.
He further said, “Let us draw strength from his life and ideals as we work together to build a brighter tomorrow.”
The poet-philosopher’s, the president went on to say, vision helped awaken the spirit of independence and self-determination among the Muslims of the sub-continent.
“In his address at the All-India Muslim League session in 1930, he emphasized the importance of securing the rights of Muslims which laid the foundation for a sovereign nation,” he added.
“Iqbal’s legacy goes well beyond his literary works such as Asrar-e-Khudi, Rumuz-e-Bekhudi and Bang-e-Dara, which explore matters of identity, spirituality and freedom,” Zardari said, adding, “His stress on political representation for Muslims and on values rooted in Islam has left a lasting imprint on Pakistan’s national identity.”
Govt committed to educate youth in light of Iqbal’s thoughts: PM
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, in his message, said that in light of the thought of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the government of Pakistan was committed to imparting such an education to the young generation that was not only a source of livelihood but also honed their intellect and character.
“Today, on the birth anniversary of the Poet of the East, thinker of Islam and architect of Pakistan, Allama Iqbal, we pay tributes to his thoughts and insights and his extraordinary role for the Islamic nation and the Muslims of the subcontinent.”
“Allama Iqbal is the name of such a spiritual and intellectual force that lit a candle of light in the darkness of slavery, and gave a message of self-reliance to a nation that was in a state of despair,” he added.
The prime minister said, “Allama Iqbal taught the lesson that faith, knowledge and action are the pillars on which a living nation builds itself. Even today, Iqbal’s thought provides guidance in national and global situations.”
“Iqbal’s youth is the architect of the nation and the falcon of the future,” he remarked.
“Allama Iqbal’s dream was that the youth should write their own destiny and create a new world with their own imagination. To give practical form to this thought, the government has started several programmes including Uraan Pakistan to impart modern education, skills, and provide employment opportunities for the youth.”
The prime minister said, “Iqbal was an Islamic thinker and Iqbal’s dream was the unity of the Islamic world and the establishment of peace in the world. He saw the Muslim Ummah as one body. Today, the world needs this message of Iqbal so that there is brotherhood instead of sectarianism, love instead of hatred, and justice instead of use of might.”
“Iqbal’s thoughts are a guide for national policy, educational priorities, and individual and collective life. We have to make Iqbal’s thoughts the focal point of our actions so that Pakistan can truly become the Pakistan of Iqbal’s dreams, where knowledge and action, love and tolerance, and peace and justice prevail,” he continued.
He said, “Pakistan will continue to play its constructive role in promoting the unity of the Muslim Ummah and world peace in the light of Iqbal’s thoughts. Long live Pakistan!”