Islamabad, 11 November 2021 (TDI): German Ambassador to Pakisran, Bernhard Schlagheck wished the great poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal on his 144th birth anniversary.
He in a tweet said, “Happy birthday to one of the greatest thinkers & poets Allama Iqbal! Iqbal had a lifelong affection for Germany, where he stayed between 1907-08 for his studies. The street where he lived is still known by his name — a beautiful tribute to our strong Pak-German Dosti” (Pak-German Friendship).
Happy birthday to one of the greatest thinkers & poets #AllamaIqbal! Iqbal had a lifelong affection for 🇩🇪, where he stayed between 1907-08 for his studies. The street where he lived is still known by his name — a beautiful tribute to our strong #PakGermanDosti! pic.twitter.com/ZCMVjlTOVl
— Bernhard Schlagheck (@GermanyinPAK) November 9, 2021
He conveyed this message on the occasion of Iqbal Day. Iqbal Day is celebrated every year on 9th of November which marks the birth anniversary of the great poet.
Allama Iqbal and Germany
In 1905, he moved to Europe for higher studies, first to England, where he received a second B.A. at Trinity College, Cambridge, and was later admitted to the bar at Lincoln’s Inn, and then to Germany. At the University of Munich, he earned a Ph.D. in philosophy.
The Development of Metaphysics in Persia is Muhammad Iqbal’s PhD thesis in philosophy at the University of Munich submitted in 1908 and published in the same year. It traces the development of metaphysics in Persia from the time of Zoroaster to the advent of the Baháʼí Faith. His thesis was later converted into a book.
Apart from this, there is also the plaque on a nondescript old building in Neuenheim that reads: “Dr Mohammad Iqbal, national philosopher, poet, spiritual father of Pakistan, lived here in 1907.” Iqbal spent six months in Heidelberg learning German for his PhD thesis.
Iqbal also wrote a poem Aik Sham (Darya-e-Neckar, Heidelberg, ke kinare par)–(English translation-An Evening by the side of the River Neckar, Heidelberg) during his stay in Heidelberg. The personal poetry diary of Allama Mohammad Iqbal is a rare and authentic literary source. It includes his handwritten poetry “Aik Sham” which shed light on the time period he spent in Heidelberg.
