Pakistan Celebrates Philosopher Poet Allama Iqbal Day

Islamabad, Nov 10, IRNA – Pakistan celebrates 135th birth anniversary of great philosopher and poet, Dr Allama Mohammad Iqbal across the country and speakers at special functions will highlight his ideas and messages for youth. The government has announced a holiday on the occasion to pay homage to the Allama Iqbal who through his poetry guided the Muslims of the subcontinent to struggle for a separate homeland. Seminars and symposiums are being organized throughout the country on the life and philosophy of 'Poet of the East' who gave the idea of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent. Educational institutions have chalked out their own programmes for the day. Political leaders, government officials and citizens visit the poet's grave in Lahore and offer special prayers. Chief Minister of Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif visited Iqbal’s grave Friday morning and offered prayers. A contingent of navy took duty on the ‘mazar’ from the paramilitary Rangers force, an annual event to mark the day. Newspapers have brought out special supplements, TV and radio stations are airing special programs. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in their messages urged the nation to follow the golden sayings of Allam Iqbal for a successful life. Justice (r) Dr Javed Iqbal, son of Allama Iqbal will be the chief guest at a function in Islamabad on Friday to pay homage to the great poet and throw highlight on his life. Justice Iqbal will deliver a key-not address on the idea of the national poet and philosopher Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal for a separate homeland. Speakers at a function in a local college in Islamabad said that Iqbal is not the Iqbal of a certain era but would always perform the obligation of guiding the followers of the faith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). They urged that Iqbal’s ideology of freedom was the foundation of the ideology of Pakistan. A speaker said Iqbal spoke of eliminating fear and submission to the other from Muslims. Iqbal criticized sectarianism and claimed that we have become worse than Hindus in this tradition./end