LAHORE:Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Engineer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has urged the country's rulers, policymakers and national leadership to make Allama Muhammad Iqbal's philosophy part of national policy, saying his teachings offer guidance for overcoming the challenges facing the country.

In a message marking the 149th birth anniversary of the Poet of the East, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said Iqbal's poetry and intellectual contributions awakened the spirit of self-realisation, freedom and independence among Muslims of the subcontinent and inspired younger generations to strive for a brighter future. He said Iqbal's poetry had profoundly influenced the social and intellectual landscape of the subcontinent, leaving a lasting impact not only in the region but across the world. Iqbal also presented the concept of the Two-Nation Theory, helping Muslims recognise their distinct identity and right to an independent existence.

The JI chief said Iqbal's poetry instilled the spirit of Khudi (selfhood) among Muslims and encouraged them to abandon a mentality of subservience in favour of self-confidence, dignity and independent decision-making. He said Iqbal's poetry carried powerful messages of freedom, equality, self-respect and a dignified life. His philosophy was not merely a literary contribution but a roadmap for building a vibrant nation, promoting intellectual independence and inspiring practical struggle for a better future.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also highlighted the intellectual similarities between Allama Iqbal and renowned Islamic thinker Syed Abul Ala Maududi, saying both emphasised the intellectual and ideological development of Muslims, preservation of their Islamic identity and the establishment of a purposeful society. He stressed that the teachings of Iqbal should not remain confined to commemorative ceremonies and speeches. Instead, the country's rulers, policymakers and national leadership must translate his philosophy into practical policies and actions. The JI chief said the need of the hour was to implement Iqbal's vision to steer the nation out of its prevailing difficulties and put the country on the path of progress, sovereignty and prosperity.