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National Day: Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 2023
March 23, 2023
Pakistan’s national day, called Pakistan Day, is set to kick off on Wednesday.
Pakistan Day marks the adoption of the Lahore Resolution in 1940, which called for the creation of an independent Muslim state in South Asia.
In Pakistan, the main celebration reaches a crescendo in the form of a military parade held in the capital city of Islamabad – normally attended by the president.
On this day, special prayers are offered in mosques and other places of worship for the prosperity and well-being of the country.
Another notable event is the changing of the guard at the mausoleums of Muhammad Iqbal, who is commonly known as Allama Iqbal, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who is also known as Quaid-e-Azam, meaning ‘Great Leader’.
Iqbal was a poet and philosopher, as well as a prominent political figure. He was a staunch advocate of the rights of the Muslim minority in India and is considered one of the founding fathers of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Jinnah was instrumental in the founding of Pakistan after he unified the Muslim League, which was a political party in India. Jinnah’s leadership of the Muslim League and his tireless efforts to negotiate with the British government and other political leaders of India eventually led to the creation of Pakistan on August 14, 1947.
In celebration of Pakistan Day, here is a poem by Iqbal about helping the Other and understanding their struggles.
Sympathy
Perched on the branch of a tree
Was a nightingale sad and lonely
“The night has drawn near”, He was thinking
“I passed the day in flying around and feeding
How can I reach up to the nest
Darkness has enveloped everything”?
Hearing the nightingale wailing thus
A glow-worm lurking nearby spoke thus
“With my heart and soul ready to help I am
Though only an insignificant insect I am
Never mind if the night is dark
I shall shed light if the way is dark
God has bestowed a torch on me
He has given a shining lamp to me
The good in the world only those are
Ready to be useful to others who are