Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday paid rich tribute to Poet of the East, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, emphasising the urgent need to revive his message of selfhood, unity and action in the Muslim world.
Speaking on the occasion, Naqvi said Allama Iqbal awakened the Muslim ummah with the powerful call of khudi, vigilance and purposeful struggle — a message that remains as relevant today as ever. He noted that the core of Iqbal’s philosophy was the unity of Muslims beyond distinctions of race, colour and language.
Naqvi said that for Iqbal, the Muslim community resembled a single body whose real strength lay in mutual harmony, brotherhood and a shared mission. “Iqbal reminded Muslims that servitude is not destiny but a weakness that can be overcome through self-realisation and action,” he added.
Recalling Iqbal’s historic Allahabad Address, Naqvi said the poet-philosopher envisioned a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent — a dream that later materialised as Pakistan.
The interior minister said Iqbal inspired generations of youth by portraying them as “shaheens”, urging them to pursue lofty ambitions, self-awareness and continuous struggle. “To Iqbal, the youth are the true asset of the nation, capable of reshaping history through their potential,” he remarked.
Naqvi added that Iqbal’s poetry was not mere literature but a revolutionary call that shook and awakened the Muslim world. In an era where divisions and discord plague the ummah, he said, Iqbal’s message of unity and khudi holds exceptional significance.
He stressed the need to structure both individual and collective lives in accordance with Iqbal’s intellectual guidance. “A Pakistan built on the foundations of peace, equality and unity — as envisioned by Allama Iqbal — is our true future,” Naqvi stated.
Calling for collective resolve, the minister urged the nation to promote Iqbal’s thought and translate it into action. “Let us pledge to make Iqbal’s philosophy a part of our national policies, priorities and collective mindset,” he concluded.
