THERE can be no doubt or debate over the nation’s need to follow more than ever the ideology and message of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the great poet-philosopher of the East, who awakened Muslim youth that helped their leaders demand and create Pakistan.

Considered the man who actually gave the concept of Pakistan, it was Iqbal who convinced Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah to return from England and lead the movement for a separate state for the Muslims of the subcontinent. He was sure that Jinnah was the only leader who was capable of uniting the Muslims of the subcontinent and lead the movement from the platform of the All-India Muslim League.

While Iqbal is revered even in countries outside Pakistan, it is unfortunate that his death anniversary (April 21) went unnoticed, just as is the case with Iqbal Day on Nov 9 every year. The mainstream media had no time to spend on the greatest of our thinkers and philosophers, and people on the social media, too, remained busy with political clutter and frivolous trends.

Today, Iqbal is discussed neither in national media nor in educational institutions. We need to tell our young generation more about Iqbal’s ideology, thought and his contribution to the Pakistan movement. Ignoring such a towering personality is tragic.

Saqib Manan
Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2023