LAHORE: Shair-e-Mashriq, Muffakir-e-Pakistan, and Hakeem-ul-Ummat are the titles given to the national poet and philosopher Allama Mohammad Iqbal.

Iqbal, born in Sialkot on November 9, 1877, is also credited with sparking the pan-Islamic thought among Muslims of the subcontinent.

He is also considered one of the most important figures in literature with literary works in both Urdu and Persian languages. Asrar-e-Khudi, Payam-i-Mashriq, Bang-i-Dara, Bal-i-Jibril, Zarb-i Kalim and Armughan-e-Hijaz were amongst his best works and due to his command over the Persian language, he managed to earn much respect in Iran as well.

The nation observes the 79th death anniversary of Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal today (Friday). Various social, political and cultural organizations will hold special programmes to pay homage to the poet.