Pakistan embassy in Washington marks Iqbal’s birth anniversary, pays tribute to his legacy

Envoy says intellectual foundations of Pakistan’s national life were linked to Iqbal’s vision

Pakistan’s national history and identity bore the indelible imprint of Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s visionary poetry, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh said, according to a press release issued by the embassy.

The statement followed a special ceremony marking Iqbal’s birth anniversary at the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, DC, on Monday.

Addressing the gathering, Sheikh said the intellectual foundations of Pakistan’s national life were linked to Iqbal’s vision. Through his poetry, thoughts and writings, Iqbal had awakened a sense of selfhood, independence and self-determination among Muslims of the subcontinent, he added.

According to the press release, the ambassador said Iqbal had sought to awaken a nation suffering from intellectual and mental constraints under colonial rule. Through his poetry, he had established a connection with the Muslim community and laid the intellectual foundations for the Pakistan Movement, like a spark in the ashes.

Sheikh said the central theme of Iqbal’s poetry was to awaken a nation through self-awareness and, particularly, to mobilise its younger generation. Iqbal’s message also emphasised the revival of Islamic values, spirituality and culture, he added.

Referring to Iqbal’s concept of Khudi (selfhood), the ambassador said it embodied self-confidence and sought to make Muslims of the subcontinent aware of their political importance and distinct identity.

He said Iqbal’s concept of the Shaheen (eagle) taught young people courage, high aspirations and the pursuit of excellence.

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The ambassador said the government was committed to making Iqbal’s thought an effective part of educational institutions, national discourse and development priorities. He said the effort would continue until the poet’s 150th birth anniversary.

Sheikh stressed the need to transfer Iqbal’s intellectual foundations to the younger generation and familiarise them with the illustrious traditions reflected in his philosophy.

He also said Iqbal’s poetry had remained part of people's lives through different periods, adding that the need of the hour was to pass on its intellectual foundations to the next generation.

The ambassador said the occasion also called for renewing the commitment to building a prosperous, peaceful and united Pakistan, as envisioned by Iqbal and realised through the inspiring leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the sacrifices of Muslims of the subcontinent.

Other speakers at the ceremony said Iqbal had encouraged Muslims of the subcontinent to struggle for a separate homeland through his poetry and ideas. They recalled his historic address at the All-India Muslim League’s annual session in 1930, in which he outlined a vision for an independent state for Muslims that later became a reality.

They said Iqbal’s intellectual and literary legacy extended beyond works such as Asrar-e-Khudi, Rumuz-e-Bekhudi and Bang-e-Dra, and also covered profound themes including religion, spirituality, philosophy and freedom.

A panel discussion titled “Iqbal’s Poetry and the Demands of the Contemporary Era” was also held during the ceremony. Poets paid tribute to Iqbal through recitations of their work and highlighted different aspects of his philosophy.

The Sadequain Gallery in Chicago organised a pictorial exhibition featuring special artworks based on Iqbal’s poetry, while a video showcasing his verses was also screened.

The event was organised by the Embassy of Pakistan in collaboration with Bazm-e-Harf-o-Sukhan and the International Academy of Letters. First Secretary Afrah Tariq conducted the proceedings.

Prominent Pakistani community leaders, media representatives and people from various walks of life attended the ceremony, the press release said.