The 134th birth anniversary of the Poet of the East, Dr Allama Mohammed Iqbal observed across the country on Wednesday (November 9) with traditional zeal and fervour. The Government of Pakistan has announced a public holiday on Wednesday to celebrate Allama Iqbal's birthday.
Special programmes have been devised to observe the birth anniversary of the philosopher poet in a befitting manner. Allama Iqbal, born on November 9, 1877 in Sialkot, was great representative of the subcontinent and an important personality for the Pakistan Movement.
The nation will pay special tribute for his vision of a separate country for Muslims of the sub-continent. Iqbal was a Sufi poet for the modern age, who infuse a revolutionary spirit in the nation through his poetry. His poetry has been translated in Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, English and several other languages and is considered a great philosopher all over the world. He died on April 21, 1938.
The day was started with a guard changing ceremony at the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal in Lahore. All day long, people belonging to different walks of life visited the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal to pay tribute and offered Fateha to the great scholar of the sub-continent.
To celebrate the Iqbal Day (birth anniversary) in a befitting manner, special programme broadcasted on Radio Pakistan and television channels shed light on the life, ideas and achievements of Allama Iqbal. There is also be hoisting of the national flag on principal government buildings on the Day throughout the country.