Two days celebration on the birth anniversary of poet-philosopher Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal commenced at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR), to pay homage & highlight Allama Iqbal’s life with the objective to idealize him as a role model for national prosperity, here on Wednesday.

On the first day of celebration, different competitions including Essay Writing, Poster & Bilingual Declamation were held  under the Office of Senior Tutor while PMAS-AAUR, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad  was the chief guest.

In bilingual competition, more than thirty students participated from different departments of the university. The speakers at the contest were highly charged with emotions and critical thoughts. They generously used the fiery verses of Allama Iqbal in their speeches. They also presented their views in a manner that was reflective of their impartial analysis of our national dilemma and came up with imaginative remedies. In poster & essay writing competitions students presented that every one of us will keep Allama Iqbal’s message in mind forever and strive to shape the country into a true image of his dream.

Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, speaking on the occasion, said that our survival and prosperity lied in Iqbal's ideology, which was derived from Quran and the life of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). He highlighted the vision of Allama Muhammad Iqbal who laid the foundation stone of the Pakistan Movement and how he provided Muslims of the Sub-Continent a guidance towards the development of a democratic state. He said the universal message of Allama Iqbal teaches people the lessons of empathy, social sensitivity and concern for all human beings. He urged that Iqbal’s ideology of freedom was the foundation of the ideology of Pakistan and it is the need of hour to change and amend ourselves as per Iqbal’s message. He asserted that the role of universities and teachers is highly important in the efforts of putting the country on right track and road to progress. He advised the students that they should seek direction from Allama Iqbal’s message and follow it to achieve goals for which the country was created.

In English debate, Anas Munir (Student of Sciences faculty) obtained first position, while Ameer Mauvia (Student of FCFS) and Fatima Rizvi (Student of Agri. Engineering) got second and third positions, respectively. In Urdu Debate, Sibghat Ullah (Student of Sciences faculty), Tassmia Jaber (Student of UIIT) and M. Usma Khan (Student of FVAS) got first, second and third positions, respectively.