RAWALPINDI, Nov 9: Different programmes were organised in the twin cities on Friday to pay tributes to national poet Allama Mohammad Iqbal on his 135th birth anniversary.  

The Rawalpindi Arts Council arranged speech and tableau competitions among students followed by a photographic exhibition based on Iqbal’s life and political struggle.

Students from different educational institutions took part in the contests. In the speech competition, Savera from Morning Star School bagged the first position, Javeria Khurshid from Iqra School second, Saifullah from DXL Public School third while Ali Farooq from Leads Public School was awarded the fourth consolation prize.

In the tableau competition, which was based on Iqbal’s poetry, Bright Public School was adjudged first, Wish Academy second, MC Boys High School third and CRM Public School remained fourth.

Naheed Manzoor and Waqar Ahmed, the resident director of RAC, was the guests of honor while Iqbal Tabassum and Salman Tahir Shah were the judges for the competitions.

Speaking on the occasion, Naheed Manzoor said Allama Iqbal based his thoughts on the holy Quran. She said Iqbal aroused the Muslim from disillusionment and reminded them of their future.

The RAC resident director said the vision of Allama Iqbal and his thoughts were instrumental in awakening the Muslims which was coupled with the sustained efforts of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah that led to the creation of Pakistan.

In Islamabad, a Mushaira, “Bayad-i-Iqbal”, was held at Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL), where a large number of poets paid tribute to Allama Iqbal. Prof Anwar Masood was the chief guest while the event was presided over by Amjad Islam Amjad.

Speaking on the occasion, Amjad Islam said as a nation it was necessary for us to follow the teachings of Iqbal to get rid of the vicious circle of frustration and disappointment.

Abdul Hameed, the chairman of PAL, said the main source of inspiration in Iqbal’s poetry was the teachings of Islam. He tried to make Muslims aware of their great history and the marvelous achievements of the past.

The poets who presented their verses on the occasion included Haleem Qureshi, Aziz Ejaz, Qamar Raza Shahzad, Shehzad Qamar and Siddique Suraj.