Allama Iqbal’s 80th death anniversary observed

ISLAMABAD, Apr 21 (APP):The 80th death anniversary of national poet, philosopher and thinker Dr Allama Iqbal was observed across the country on Saturday.
Scores of people from various walks of life thronged Iqbal’s mausoleum to pay homage to great thinker of the 20th century.
Various social, political and cultural organizations arranged special programmes including seminars to pay homage to the Poet of the East.
A special ceremony in this regard was held in Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) here to mark the 80th death anniversary of the national poet.
Vice Chancellor Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui on the occasion re-affirmed the pledge that varsity would fulfill its responsibility to promote intellectual and visionary message of Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal through academic purists
and literary and social activities.
The AIOU that was named after Dr. Iqbal, a great philosopher and poet, is determined to disseminate his thought-provoking message of humanity among the students for their character-building and putting them on the track of nation-building, he added.
The Vice Chancellor said that Iqbal’s message of peace and co-existence is relevant to cope with socio-economic challenges of the present days.
To mark the Day, the University broadcast and telecast live programs on Dr.
Muhammad Iqbal, over its web TV and FM radio network. Special programs were
presented the whole day to educate and update its students on philosophy and thoughts
of the great poet, particularly with references to his message to youth.
Dr. Shahid Siddiqui said that the University is engaged in extensive research
work on his vision. It is also laying special focus on research and in-depth study on
various aspects of Iqbal’s message for the young generation, he added.
Born in Sialkot, the Shair-e-Mashriq is considered to be one of the most important
figures in South Asian literature, with works in both Urdu and Persian.
An advocate of Muslim rights, championing his ideas with pen and revolutionary
concepts, Iqbal’s word and work are still quite relevant in the present day.
Some of his best works comprise Asrar-e-Khudi, Payam-i-Mashriq, Bang-i-Dara,
Bal-i-Jibril, Zarb-i Kalim and Armughan-e-Hijaz. Meanwhile, the embassy of Pakistan in
Ankara, Turkey also marked the 80th death anniversary of the national poet of Pakistan
Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal in Ankara.
Sebilurreshad magazine and Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thought Association organized a
panel discussion in the National Library of Turkey, said a message received here from
embassy of Ankara.
Welcoming the guests, Chief Editor, Sebilurreshad Fatih Bayhan, informed
that Mehmet Akif Ersoy, who was also the writer of Turkey’s national anthem, founded
his magazine in 1908.
Mehmet Akif Isik, Chairman, Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thought Association, said
Muhammad Iqbal had many contributions in the field of philosophy, literature and
law. His poetry had many similarities with Mehmet Akif ’s poetry.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi in his keynote
speech highlighted Allama Iqbal’s association with Turkey and its leading literary figure
Mehmet Akif Ersoy.