Iqbal's vision continue to shape Pakistan's identity: President Zardari

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the Thinker of Pakistan, Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal, on his 148th birth anniversary, describing him as a visionary whose thoughts continue to illuminate the nation’s path.

President marked that the intellectual legacy of the Poet of the East, Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal, will continue to serve as a beacon of guidance for future generations.

In his message on the occasion of Iqbal Day, President Zardari stated that Allama Iqbal awakened the spirit of freedom among the Muslims of the subcontinent, and his message remains a source of inspiration and guidance even today. He noted that Iqbal’s historic Allahabad Address of 1930 laid the foundation for Muslim self-determination in the region.

The President emphasized that Iqbal highlighted the significance of identity, spirituality, and independence for the Muslim Ummah. He said Iqbal’s philosophy played a vital role in shaping Pakistan’s national identity, and the nation must reaffirm its commitment to following his principles.

Read also: Nation marks Iqbal Day with pledge to get inspiration from his principles, ideals

“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 Secretariat Press Wing, in a press release, quoted the president as saying.

President Zardari further added that collective efforts are needed to make Pakistan prosperous, peaceful, and united. He stressed that Allama Iqbal’s vision continues to define the direction of the country’s progress and development.

PM PAYS TRIBUTE TO IQBAL

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that in the light of thought of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the government of Pakistan was committed to providing such an education for the young generation that was not only a source of livelihood but also improved intellect and character.

In a message on Iqbal Day celebrated on November 9, 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.”

“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,” 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.

He said, “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.”