Islamabad, April 21, 2025 – The Europe Today: On the occasion of the National Day for the Commemoration of Saadi Shirazi, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran H.E. Reza Amiri Moghadam issued a statement reflecting on the enduring legacy of the great Persian poet and his philosophical kinship with Pakistan’s national poet, Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
April 21 marks the birth anniversary of Shaykh Saadi Shirazi, a towering figure in Persian literature whose contributions to poetry and prose have resonated across centuries. The date, officially observed in Iran as “Saadi Day,” celebrates the poet’s profound insights into social morality, unity, and human compassion.
“Saadi Shirazi, the great Muslim Persian poet, is a narrator of unity, love, and common bonds,” the Iranian Ambassador noted, emphasizing the timeless relevance of Saadi’s literary and ethical teachings. Renowned for his eloquent verses and didactic prose, Saadi’s works continue to inspire generations through their moral depth and spiritual clarity.
Among Saadi’s most celebrated contributions is the poem Bani Adam (Human Beings), which encapsulates his humanist philosophy:
“Human beings are members of a whole,
In creation, of one essence and soul.
If one member is afflicted with pain,
Other members uneasy will remain.
If you have no sympathy for human pain,
The name of human you cannot retain.”
This year, the commemoration of Saadi coincides with the death anniversary of Allama Iqbal, Pakistan’s national poet and philosopher, creating a symbolic convergence of two monumental figures in Islamic thought and literature.
“The shared reverence for Saadi and Iqbal in Iran and Pakistan serves as a testament to the deep cultural, spiritual, and literary ties that bind our nations,” the Ambassador stated. “Both poets are celebrated not only for their poetic brilliance but for their unwavering commitment to the ideals of justice, unity, and moral elevation.”
The Ambassador concluded by underscoring that the legacies of Saadi and Iqbal continue to live on in the hearts and minds of the Iranian and Pakistani people, nurturing a spirit of brotherhood and mutual respect that transcends generations.
