ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for following the teachings of Dr Allama Mohammad Iqbal to strengthen brotherhood and to achieve a Pakistan as dreamed by him.

In his message on Iqbal Day, observed on Nov 9, President Alvi said the citizens should renew the pledge to realign their lives in accordance with the vision of Dr Allama Mohammad Iqbal which, he said, would enable them to gain modern knowledge of science and arts, and embrace innovation and creativity without compromising on religious, social and cultural values and preferences.

“Today, we pay tribute to one of the greatest thinkers and philosophers, and the poet of the East, Dr Allama Mohammad Iqbal, whose ideas, values and out-of-the-box thinking had inspired generations of writers and philosophers the world over.

“On this day, we pay homage to him for giving the idea of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent where they could lead their lives in accordance with their religious, social and cultural values and without fear and intimidation of the majority Hindus,” President Alvi said in his message.

He said Iqbal taught them to strengthen belief in their abilities and potential to achieve self-reliance in every facet of the life with self-confidence and hard work and continue the quest to find new solutions and bringing innovation and creativity in life without compromising self-respect, dignity and honour.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message on this occasion, also urged the nation to make a pledge to achieve a Pakistan as dreamed by Allama Mohammad Iqbal which should feature peace, brotherhood and political forbearance.

The great poet had a vision for Pakistan where the youth should have the thinking capability for taking the country to unprecedented heights, he said.

Mr Sharif said the characteristics of Iqbal’s Pakistan should also include respect for elders and a mature debate on ideological differences without losing sobriety. He said the whole nation was observing Allama Iqbal’s birth anniversary with great fervour as the great poet had acquainted the Muslim youth with the sacrifices of their sages and their lost grandeur.

He said Iqbal’s philosophy of self-esteem had provided a recipe for success in this world as well as the life hereafter which still had its impact not only in the subcontinent, but also across the world.

Besides, Iqbal had an unprecedented love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and devotion for the Quranic teachings, he stated.

The prime minister said Iqbal had united the Muslims of the subcontinent by awaking them to their fundamental right to freedom.

He said Iqbal had dreamed a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent which was realised by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and other Muslim League leaders.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2022