PESHAWAR: The 78th death anniversary of national poet philosopher, Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal was observed with great reverence and admiration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata on Thursday.
The day dawned with special prayers in mosques for progress, peace and prosperity of Pakistan and eternal peace of the departed soul of Dr Allama Iqbal who passed away on April 21, 1938 in Lahore.
Quran Khawani and Dua were also held for eternal peace of Dr Iqbal in all districts of KP and agency headquarters of FATA.
In connection with the day, Kalam-e-Iqbal contest, speech competitions, seminars, symposiums that covered all the aspects of his life and philosophy, were held in different educational institutes including schools, colleges and universities where speakers threw lights on different aspects of his life and poetry work.
Various social, political and cultural organisations arranged special programmes to pay homage to the Poet of the East. Allama Iqbal is officially recognized as the national poet of Pakistan and known as Muffakir-e-Pakistan, Shair-e-Mashriq and Hakeem-ul-Ummat.
Declamation contests were also held in different government and private schools and colleges of KP and Fata where speakers termed teachings and poetry of Iqbal were a beacon of light for all of us.
Born in Sialkot on November 9, 1877, Dr Iqbal is the most important figure in literature with key literary works Bang e Dara, Bal e Jibrill and Zarb e Kalim, Israr e Khudi, Payam e Mashriq, Zaboor e Ajam and Javed Nama made him the most popular and ever best poet of Urdu and Pashto languages.
Dr Allama Iqbal, who conceived the idea of separate homeland for muslims of sub continent, was later transformed into a resolution on 23rd March 1940 in Lahore, and after seven years of untiring efforts by our forefathers led by Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan came into existence on August 14, 1947 on the world map.
He emphasized for such a society based on brotherhood, self reliance, equality, tolerance, respect for values and social-economic justice.
The best tributes to Allama Iqbal on his death anniversary is that we especially the youth should transform themselves into Iqbal’s `Mard-e-Momin’ and strive for self-reliance within our resources and make continuous struggle for achievement of set goals.
They maintained that Iqbal’s philosophical and human approach to save the Muslims from degradation, deprivation and destitute living is still a source of strength and guidance for all.
