Navy assumes guard duties at Mazar-e-Iqbal
10 November, 2012
LAHORE: In order to pay homage to the great visionary of the 20th century and the national poet Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal, who envisioned a separate homeland for Muslims of British India, a prestigious Change of Guard Ceremony was held by the Pakistan Navy at Mazar-e-Iqbal with customary enthusiasm and befitting manner. The ceremony started at 7:30am when the contingent of Pakistan Navy assumed guard duties replacing Pakistan Rangers, a press release issued on Friday said. While the contingent of Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Rangers formed up outside the mazar and took positions alongside, both the outgoing and incoming guards were inspected by Lahore Station Commander (Navy) Commodore Akbar Naqi. Marching to the band tunes, the naval contingent took positions at the four corners of the mazar and simultaneously, Rangers were ceremoniously moved out. The ceremonial guard mounting followed by floral wreath-laying at the mazar of Allama Iqbal by Commodore Akbar Naqi on behalf of the chief of the naval staff, officers and men of the Pakistan Navy. Later on, the station commander offered Fateha. Both the ceremonies were witnessed by a large number of senior civil officials, schoolchildren and general public that thronged the mazar to pay homage to the great philosopher and Poet of the East on the eve of his birth anniversary. Meanwhile, Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology organised Iqbal Day to highlight the work of Dr Muhammad Iqbal and his efforts to bring back the glory of Islam. Paying tribute to Iqbal's achievements, Engr ZA Nizami, Chancellor Sir Syed University, said, "Doctor Muhammad Iqbal was both a great poet and a serious thinker at the same time. Most of Allama Iqbal's writings were devoted to a revival of Islam as he endeavored to propagate pan-Islamism, and advocate multi-nationalism in Islam. Speaking on the occasion Chancellor Nizai said Iqbal's mission was to secure a vision of the spirit of Islam and he encouraged Muslims to live a life following the true principles of Islam. He tried to free the Muslim mind from the prevailing colonial mentality and from Muslims' own narrow self-interests. Renowned scholar Prof, Dr. Waqar Ahmed Rizvi said Iqbal focused on love (Ishq) in his poetry and he took it as a great power that brings you close to God. End.
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