ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is celebrating the 148th birth anniversary of its poet and philosopher, Allama Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, the “Poet of the East,” a title given to him by the whole world. Iqbal was born in Sialkot on November 9, 1877, and his philosophy and concepts were the factors that eventually led to the birth of Pakistan.
Iqbal started his studies in Sialkot where he also finished his matriculation at Mission High School and intermediate at Murray College. His teacher Maulvi Mir Hassan who always encouraged Iqbal in his literary works was the main reason that he developed a life-long passion for poetry. After that, Iqbal was graduated with BA and MA degrees from the Government College Lahore and then, he moved abroad for higher studies. He received his law degree from England and his Ph.D. in philosophy from Munich University, Germany.
After returning to India, Iqbal taught for a short period at Oriental College, Lahore while he was concurrently working as a lawyer and writing poetry. The British government recognized his achievements and it was in 1922 that they honored him with the title “Sir”.
Iqbal led and participated in the political campaigns which demanded the rights of Muslims in British India and he was, therefore, elected the President of the All India Muslim League. In his 1930 presidential address, Iqbal’s influence and his dream for a separate Muslim state were already clear when he delivered the most important presidential address in October in Allahabad. He emphasized the need to both separate and integrate traditionally Muslim values with the contemporary world in this address.
Iqbal, the poet and philosopher who dies for the country he dreamt of, passed away on April 21, 1938 but still left behind his works and metaphysics as a source of light for the present times. Their main ideas are the individual’s development, the Islamic culture, and the unity of the world. His works have been converted into several languages and have been a beacon to the Muslim ummah in the whole world.
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Today, besides remembering Iqbal, Pakistan also commemorates the contribution he made as a poet, philosopher, and visionary who laid the foundation of a nation.
