The federal administration has officially designated November 9th as a public holiday in celebration of Iqbal Day. This annual observance pays tribute to the revered thinker and poet, Dr. Allama Mohammad Iqbal, on his birth anniversary, which this year marks his 146th birthday.
Dr. Iqbal played a pivotal role in motivating millions of Muslims throughout the subcontinent to aspire to a sovereign nation where they could practice their Islamic faith freely. His literary works and philosophical insights continue to inspire people across the world.
On this day, mosques around the country will begin with special prayers, seeking the progress and prosperity of Pakistan. Widely recognized in Pakistan and beyond as the “Poet of the East,” Dr. Iqbal was born in Sialkot on November 9, 1877.
Notably, Iqbal was not only a celebrated poet but also a philosopher and a statesman. He is especially acknowledged for his poetic contributions and his influential role in advocating for the establishment of a separate homeland for Muslims. His landmark address in Allahabad in 1930 was a turning point in the pre-partition political landscape.
Dr. Allama Iqbal’s address provided a clear vision and distinctive identity for Muslims in the subcontinent, setting them on the path to the realization of Pakistan. Additionally, a Change of Guards ceremony is planned at his mausoleum in Lahore to honor his enduring legacy.