Mohammed Iqbal

Sir Muhammad Iqbal () (November 9, 1877 – April 21, 1938), widely known as Allama Iqbal (), was a poet, philosopher, and politician, as well as an academic, barrister and scholar in British India who is widely regarded as having inspired the Pakistan Movement. He is called the Spiritual father of Pakistan. He is considered one of the most important figures in Urdu literature, with literary work in both the Urdu and Persian languages.Iqbal is admired as a prominent poet by Pakistanis, Indians, Iranians, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans and other international scholars of literature. Though Iqbal is best known as an eminent poet, he is also a highly acclaimed Muslim philosophical thinker of modern times. His first poetry book, Asrar-i-Khudi, appeared in the Persian language in 1915, and other books of poetry include Rumuz-i-Bekhudi, Payam-i-Mashriq and Zabur-i-Ajam. Amongst these, his best known Urdu works are Bang-i-Dara, Bal-i-Jibril, Zarb-i Kalim and a part of Armughan-i-Hijaz. Along with his Urdu and Persian poetry, his Urdu and English lectures and letters have been very influential in cultural, social, religious and political disputes.In 1922, he was knighted by King George V, granting him the title Sir. While studying law and philosophy in England, Iqbal became a member of the London branch of the All-India Muslim League. Later, during the Leagues December 1930 session, he delivered his most famous presidential speech known as the Allahabad Address in which he pushed for the creation of a Muslim state in Northwest India.In much of South Asia and the Urdu speaking world, Iqbal is regarded as the Shair-e-Mashriq (, Poet of the East). He is also called Mufakkir-e-Pakistan (, The Thinker of Pakistan), Musawar-e-Pakistan (, Artist of Pakistan) and Hakeem-ul-Ummat (, The Sage of the Ummah). The Pakistan government officially named him a national poet. His birthday Yōm-e Welādat-e Muḥammad Iqbāl (), or Iqbal Day, is a public holiday in Pakistan. In India he is also remembered as the author of the popular song Saare Jahaan Se Achcha.Sir Muhammad Iqbals house is still located in Sialkot and is recognized as Iqbals Manzil and is open for visitors.

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