Washington, D.C.: To commemorate the 149th birth anniversary of Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C., hosted a commemorative event featuring an Iqbal Day Mehfil-e-Mushaira (poetry symposium) alongside an exhibition of Sadequain’s paintings depicting Iqbal’s poetry. The event was marked by rich tributes to the National Poet of Pakistan, who spelled out the idea of an independent homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent.
According to Press Information Department, the event was organized in collaboration with the International Academy of Letters USA and Bazm-e-Harf-o-Sukhan, a prominent literary organization dedicated to promoting Urdu literature and poetry. The gathering drew a distinguished audience, including members of civil society, academicians, students, and representatives from the media.
During the ceremony, official messages from the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister were read out.
In his keynote address, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh highlighted the profound intellectual significance of Allama Iqbal’s message that continued to inspire generations. “The intellectual foundation of our national life is rooted in the thought of Iqbal, just as the leadership of the Quaid constitutes the political foundation of our national life,” Ambassador Sheikh stated.
Elaborating on the central focus of Iqbal’s poetry in relation to the conceptualization of Pakistan, the Ambassador noted: “The way Iqbal sought to awaken the youth and the nation during his time effectively yielded the intellectual foundation of the Pakistan Movement.”
Ambassador Sheikh further underscored the concept of Khudi (Selfhood) and human nobility—one of the cardinal themes in Iqbal’s philosophy and poetic works. “Within Iqbal’s vision of Khudi lies a self-realization and confidence. It is taking cognizance of rightful place as the crown of all creation,” the Ambassador remarked.
Calling for sustained engagement with Iqbal’s intellectual heritage, Ambassador Sheikh urged attendees to convey his timeless message to future generations for academic self-reliance, guidance, and new ideas. “It marks a glowing chapter of our national history that we must celebrate and need to do a far better job at transfer of this lavish legacy to the future generations. Our intellectual tradition is undoubtedly rich and worthy of carriage forward,” he added.
The program also featured an engaging panel discussion titled “The Poetry of Iqbal and the Demands of the Contemporary Era,” where speakers emphasized how Iqbal’s philosophy resonates across eras to provide continuous guidance for contemporary challenges. Following the panel, a musical performance based on the poetry of Iqbal captivated the audience.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh expressed his gratitude to all participants for joining the Embassy in honoring Iqbal’s legacy and reiterated the importance of integrating his philosophy into practical life.