Pakistan embassy in US marks Iqbal Day

WASHINGTON:

Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh on Tuesday said that Allama Iqbal's visionary poetry has left an indelible imprint on Pakistan's national history and identity, emphasising that through his poetry, thoughts and writings, the great poet awakened a sense of Khudi, self-reliance and self-determination among the Muslims of the subcontinent.

Addressing a ceremony held to mark the 150th birth anniversary of the Poet of the East, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the ambassador said that Iqbal used his prose and verse to awaken a nation that was under colonial rule and subjected to intellectual and mental constraints.

He noted that Iqbal connected with the masses through his verses, and that the core of his poetry was to awaken a nation through self-realization and to mobilize its youth in particular.

The event drew robust participation from prominent Pakistani community leaders, media representatives, and individuals from various walks of life. Ambassador Sheikh stressed that Iqbal's message emphasizes the revival of Islamic values, spirituality, and culture. His concept of Khudi encompasses self-confidence, with a primary objective to make the Muslims of the subcontinent realize their political significance and distinct identity.

Highlighting government efforts, the ambassador shared that the Government of Pakistan is resolved to make Iqbal's thought an effective part of educational institutions, national discourses, and developmental priorities.