ISLAMABAD: The 74th death anniversary of poet of east, Muffakir-e-Pakistan, Dr Allama Iqbal was observed on Saturday.

Allama Iqbal is recognized as national poet of Pakistan and known as Muffakir-e-Pakistan, Shair-e-Mashriq and Hakeem-ul-Ummat.

Various social, political and cultural organizations will arrange special programmes to pay homage to the poet of the East while debate competitions, seminars and conferences will be arranged in schools, colleges and universities to highlight his teachings and philosophy which led muslims to get an independent state in sub-continent.

A large number of the people from all walks of life visited Iqbal Manzil, his birthplace. Quran Khawani was held at Iqbal Manzil under the auspices of Bazam-i-Iqbal, in which people from all walks of life participated.

They also offered Fateha for peace to the soul of Allama Iqbal.

Later, Kalam-i-Iqbal recitation contests were also held at Iqbal Manzil, in which a large number of the students from schools and colleges participated.

A symposium on Iqbaliyat was also held at the auditorium of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).

SCCI President Naeem Anwar Qureshi said that Allama Iqbal was one of the greatest men of Islam and Pakistan, who dreamt of Pakistan where brotherhood, social and economic justice would prevail.

"We must create a society according to the vision of the great poet, who gave the idea of a separate homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent where they could practice their Islamic values and culture," he added.

DCO Zahid Saleem Gondal said that teachings of Allama Iqbal were like a beacon of light to maintain tolerance, peace and stability in society.

He said that youths of the nation should transform themselves into Iqbal's Mard-e-Momin and strive for self-reliance on own resources and emphasized austerity as envisioned by Allama Iqbal.

he Muslims of sub-continent under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah succeeded in materializing the dream of Allama Iqbal in the form of Pakistan.

Allama Iqbal is the best known for his poetic works, including Asrar-e-Khudi which brought knighthood- Rumuz-e-Bekhudi, and the Bang-e-Dara, with its enduring patriotic song Tarana-e-Hind.

Bang-e-Dara, Baal Jabreel, Zarb-e-Kaleem and Payam-e-Mashriq are his great books.

The great philosopher, idealistic and one of the most prominent leaders of the All India Muslim League, Allama Iqbal is also famous for his 1930 address in Allahabad that encouraged creation of a "state in north-western India for Muslims.

Allama Muhammad Iqbal died on April 21, 1938 at the age of 60 and rendered remarkable services for uniting the muslims to establish their own country and identity. APP