Nation observes 147th birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal

LAHORE: A Change of guards’ ceremony held at the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal in Lahore on 147th birth anniversary of the great poet and thinker.

A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Navy took charge of the guards’ duties.

The nation is observing a pubic holiday today on account of Iqbal Da yas announced by the federal government. 

Also known as "Poet of the East", he was one of the key figures who inspired millions of Muslims in the sub-continent to seek independence from British rule and establish their own homeland.

Born in Sialkot in 1877, Allama Iqbal holds his own as an acclaimed poet and philosopher and is widely credited with using his poetry and political influence to demand the creation of a separate homeland for Muslims.

Iqbal passed his M.A in philosophy from Government College Lahore after which for higher education he went to London and did his law from Lincoln’s Inn.

He did his PhD in philosophy from Germany’s Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich.

His Allahabad address of 1930 was a turning point in pre-partition politics as it laid out a clear direction and separate identity for Muslims of the sub-continent to achieve Pakistan.