Iqbal Day: Remembering The Great National Poet

The nation comes together each year on 9th November to celebrate Iqbal Day. The observance of this day is tributed to the great national poet also referred to as the Poet of The East, Muhammad Iqbal. This year marks his 139th birth anniversary and similar to each year, the day begins with special prayers in the mosques for peace and prosperity of the country while social media is abuzz with memorable quotes and famous sayings of the legendary poet.

The son of an ordinary man but the bearer of extraordinary ambition; Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal was born on 9 November 1877 in Sialkot, within the Punjab Province of British India (now in Pakistan). He died on 21 April 1938 in Lahore, Punjab, British India.

Iqbal's vision is summarised in his address to Annual Session of All-India Muslim League on Nov 29, 1930 when he for the first time presented Two-Nation Theory. He had dreamt of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent, and his dream was converted into reality by Quaid-e-Azam.

One of the famous sayings by Iqbal that we hold close to date is,

"Nations are born in the hearts of poets, they prosper and die in the hands of politicians".

Do share your favourite poetry by the famous poet in the comments below!