Every year on March 21st, the world comes together to celebrate the beauty and power of poetry. World Poetry Day is a time to honor the written and spoken word and to appreciate the diversity of languages, cultures, and forms of expression that poetry encompasses. Poetry has the remarkable ability to touch our hearts, provoke thought, and inspire change. It captures the essence of human experience in ways that resonate across time and space.
Poetry has been an integral part of human history, dating back to ancient civilizations where oral traditions were passed down through generations in the form of verse. Throughout the centuries, poets have used their craft to explore the depths of human emotion, challenge societal norms, and express the ineffable beauty of the natural world.
One of the greatest poets whose works continue to inspire millions around the globe is Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Born on November 9, 1877, in Sialkot, in present-day Pakistan, Iqbal was not only a poet but also a philosopher, politician, and scholar. His poetry played a significant role in the awakening of the Muslim community in the Indian subcontinent during the early 20th century.
Iqbal’s poetry is characterized by its profound philosophical insights, its fervent patriotism, and its call to action for the upliftment of the Muslim ummah (community). His verses resonate with themes of self-discovery, spiritual enlightenment, and the quest for a just society. Iqbal’s works are often imbued with a sense of urgency, urging his readers to rise above petty divisions and strive for greatness.
Here are a few lines from some of Iqbal’s most celebrated poems:
“Khudi ko kar buland itna ke har taqdeer se pehle
Khuda bande se khud pooche, bata teri raza kya hai”
(Raise yourself to such heights that before every decree
God Himself asks, “What is your wish?”)
“Sitaron se aage jahan aur bhi hain
Abhi ishq ke imtihan aur bhi hain”
(Beyond the stars, there are even more worlds
There are still more tests of love to endure)
Hai tairi azmat ko salam, Khuda hafiz
Teri naymaton ko sadaa yaarab hafiz”
(I salute your greatness, O God, farewell
May your blessings be everlasting, O LORD?)
On this World Poetry Day, let us take a moment to appreciate the timeless beauty and profound impact of poetry in our lives. Whether it’s through reading, writing, or reciting verses, let us celebrate the power of words to inspire, heal, and unite us as a global community.
The writer is a seasoned researcher and a criminologist currently working as a Senior Project Manager at the International Commission on Human Rights (ICOHR), a Human Rights NGO in Pakistan.
