Islamabad, November 9, 2026 – The Europe Today: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has announced that the government is launching a year-long commemoration of the birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal, starting today and culminating on November 9 next year.
In his message on Iqbal Day, marking the 149th birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal on November 9, 2026, the Prime Minister said: “A comprehensive programme of national and international events is being formally launched, featuring international conferences, academic and research seminars, literary festivals, exhibitions, educational competitions and cultural activities. These commemorative initiatives aim to preserve and transmit Iqbal’s rich intellectual legacy to future generations.”
Tribute to the Poet of the East
Paying tribute to Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the Poet of the East, the Prime Minister said Iqbal awakened political consciousness among the Muslims of the subcontinent, inspiring them to recognise and assert their distinct national identity. This consciousness of a separate identity, he said, played a pivotal role in their historic struggle for an independent homeland.
“Allama Iqbal was a person of exceptional intellectual stature and profound wisdom. The enduring thought of this eminent philosopher and visionary continues to broaden intellectual horizons and foster the intellectual growth of our youth and future generations,” he said. He added that, as a distinguished philosopher of Islam, Iqbal explored the profound intellectual dimensions of Islamic teachings, and his thought continues to offer practical guidance to Muslims in their individual and collective lives.
Allama Iqbal’s Thought in Education and National Discourse
The Prime Minister said the government is firmly committed to ensuring that Iqbal’s thought remains a dynamic and integral part of educational institutions, national discourse and development priorities. “Intellectual awakening, character building and collective renewal must, undoubtedly, form an essential part of our national objectives,” he said.
He noted that Allama Iqbal’s concept of Khudi (selfhood) teaches that individuals and nations can transform their destinies through self-realisation, purposeful endeavour and spiritual emancipation. Iqbal placed immense confidence in the youth, whom he regarded as the architects of the nation’s future. “His concept of the Shaheen (falcon) embodies courage, independence, lofty aspirations and an unwavering pursuit of excellence,” the Prime Minister observed.
A Message of Peace, Tolerance and Muslim Unity
Shehbaz Sharif said Iqbal’s thought champions peace, social harmony, tolerance and justice as indispensable pillars of sustainable national development, and categorically rejects hatred, extremism, sectarianism and discrimination.
“At the international level, Iqbal’s message of Muslim unity, universal brotherhood and peaceful coexistence retains profound relevance. Guided by Iqbal’s intellectual vision, Pakistan will continue to champion unity and solidarity among the Muslim Ummah and support the peaceful resolution of international disputes,” he said.
Concluding his message, the Prime Minister said: “Allama Iqbal’s timeless message, rooted in individual, national and universal values, continues to illuminate our path and serve as a guiding beacon for the nation. Let us renew our resolve to deepen our understanding of Iqbal’s message, promote rigorous scholarly research into his thought, foster creative thinking and strengthen our national character.”
