SIALKOT:Like other parts of the country, the 143rd birthday anniversary of Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal, the Poet of the East, will be celebrated in his native city, Sialkot tomorrow (Monday) with traditional zeal, enthusiasm and fervour.
There will be a local holiday in Sialkot district tomorrow (Monday) on this eve, as Sialkot Deputy Commissioner Zeshan Javaid Lashari has issued a formal official notification in this regard for this local holiday. Allama Iqbal was born on November 9, 1877 in Sialkot.
A large number of people, mostly the students of schools and colleges are visiting the Iqbal Manzil (the birthplace of Allama Iqbal) in Sialkot to pay rich tributes to the Great Poet and Philosopher.
They are talking keen interest in the new historical pictures of Allama Iqbal and his family and books on Iqbaliyat displayed there.
Iqbal Manzil has been illuminated on this eve. The students are singing Milli
Naghmas and Kalaam-e-Iqbal there. A large number of people can be witnessed there.
Meanwhile, the Sialkot exporters will also pay homage to Allama Iqbal by cutting his birthday cake during a special birthday cake cutting ceremony scheduled to be held at Iqbal Manzil tomorrow (Monday) to be hosted by Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
SCCI President Qaisar Iqbal Baryar will host this prestigious ceremony and will highlight the philosophy of Allam Iqbal.
The Iqbal Manzil is lying in grip of some continuous multiple problems. It is still facing problems like seepage of street waters, encroachments, lack of funds and lack of plan to preserve this national legacy in its original shape and design.
Municipal Corporation Sialkot, though has installed few statues of Allama Iqbal in various parts of Sialkot city, but it still remains unable to get the Iqbal Manzil rid of these problems, which were eclipsing its original beauty and charm. Iqbal Manzil though has been whitewashed and illuminated but facing official apathy and negligence as well.
Social, religious, educational, business and literary circles of Sialkot have grave concern over this miserable condition of Iqbal Manzil. They have urged the government to look into the matter to preserve this historical place in its original shape and design.
Meanwhile, an exhibition of rare books and pictures of Allama Iqbal will be held at Iqbal Manzil tomorrow (Monday).
On the other hand, people will also visit the graves of parents and other family members of Allama Iqbal located at Imam Sahab graveyard Sialkot.
They will offer Fatiha and will also lay floral wreaths there. The competition on Iqbal’s poetry and speeches will also be held at Iqbal Manzil under the auspices of Sialkot district administration.
While rallies will also be taken out in Sialkot city to mark the importance of the day. Seminars will also be held at local schools and colleges.