Web desk: The nation is celebrating the 148th birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal on Sunday, with calls to revive his message of Khudi, unity, and moral renewal to tackle modern challenges.
Allama Iqbal’s vision encouraged the youth to “write their own destiny and create a new world with their own imagination.” He was an Islamic thinker whose dream emphasised the unity of the Islamic world and the establishment of peace, viewing the Muslim Ummah as one body.
Today, his message is seen as a call for brotherhood instead of sectarianism, love instead of hatred, and justice instead of the use of might.
Iqbal’s ideas played a pivotal role in awakening 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 stressed the importance of securing Muslim rights, laying the foundation for a sovereign nation.
His literary contributions, including Asrar-e-Khudi, Rumuz-e-Bekhudi, and Bang-e-Dara, explore identity, spirituality, and freedom.
Beyond his writings, his insistence on political representation for Muslims and values rooted in Islam has left a lasting impact on Pakistan’s national identity.
President’s Message on Iqbal Day
President Asif Ali Zardari urged citizens to renew their commitment to Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s principles and draw strength from his ideals for a brighter future.
In a statement, he said that as we pay tribute to his remarkable personality, we renew our commitment to his principles and to striving for a Pakistan that is prosperous, peaceful and united. Let us draw strength from his life and ideals as we work together to build a brighter tomorrow.’
The president highlighted Iqbal’s role in awakening the spirit of independence and self-determination among Muslims of the Subcontinent and emphasised his literary and political legacy.
Quoting the President Secretariat Press Wing: “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.”
He prayed that Iqbal’s vision would continue to guide the nation’s progress and inspire future generations.
Prime Minister Pays Tribute
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said the government is committed to providing education that not only offers a livelihood but also improves intellect and character, in the light of Iqbal’s thoughts.
In his message, he said, “Today, on the birth anniversary of the Poet of the East, thinker of Islam and architect of Pakistan, Allama Iqbal, we pay tribute to his thoughts and insights and his extraordinary role for the Islamic nation and the Muslims of the subcontinent.”
He added, “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 despair.”
The prime minister emphasised, “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 concluded by stressing the importance of education guided by Iqbal’s philosophy: “The ideological formation of our education in the light of Iqbal’s thought is our need, as on it our bright and strong future depends.”
