The Pakistani Embassy in China held an event in Beijing on Nov. 16 to commemorate the anniversary of the birth of Sir Muhammad Iqbal, who is widely regarded as the "Spiritual Father of Pakistan."

The event kicked off with a documentary screening about the life of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, followed by a message from Pakistani President Arif Alvi.

"The need to recall the message of Allama Iqbal has never been as great as it is today. Faced with various challenges, let us revert to his message and pledge ourselves to make a deliberate effort to put aside our differences, exhibit unity and strive collectively to find solutions to the ills that corrode our society and hinder our march towards progress and prosperity," said Alvi.

A video message by Prime Minister Imran Khan on Iqbal Day was also viewed by the audience.

Professor Liu Shuxiong, director of South Asian Study Center of Hunan Normal University, termed the celebration of "Iqbal Day" in China as a matter of pride and pleasure. He also spoke in fluent Urdu about various aspects of the poetry of Allama Iqbal.

Embassy officers, community members, faculty from the Urdu Department of Peking University and students from Beijing Foreign Studies University recited poetry of Allama Iqbal for the occasion.

In his closing remarks, Ambassador Naghmana Hashmi paid tribute to the Chinese faculty and students in promoting not only the Urdu language but also Iqbal's poetry in China. She said that not only is Iqbal's work equally praised in East and West, but it is also a harbinger of hope and awakening for the youth.

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