Iran, Pakistan to honor Iqbal Lahori in joint film venture

Iran and Pakistan are set to collaborate on a cinematic tribute to Allama Muhammad Iqbal, also known as Iqbal Lahori.

Officials from both countries recently met, and during those discussions, they agreed to work together on film projects. The first project will be a movie about the famous poet and thinker, Iqbal Lahori.

Mohammad-Mehdi Esmaeili, Iran's Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, said, “The production of some joint films was put on the agenda, the first being about the late Iqbal Lahori, the preparations for which are underway,” as reported by IRNA.

This collaborative effort follows an earlier announcement by Pakistan's Minister of Culture, Jamal Shah, highlighting the shared commitment of Iran and Pakistan to produce joint films, including a tribute to Iqbal Lahori, recognizing him as a pivotal cultural figure shared between the two nations.

Iqbal Lahori was a prominent South Asian academic, poet, barrister, philosopher and politician.

He is highly regarded for his significant contributions to both Urdu and Persian literature, making him a leading figure in Urdu literature.

Renowned as the poet of Islam or the poet of the East, Iqbal's influence extends beyond national borders, resonating across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and beyond.

Often hailed as Pakistan's spiritual father, he advocated for the revival of Islamic civilization globally, particularly in South Asia.

After Pakistan gained independence in 1947, Iqbal was designated as the country's national poet. He is widely respected as the "Hakeem-ul-Ummat" (Sage of the Ummah) and the "Mufakkir-e-Pakistan" (Thinker of Pakistan).

Iqbal's poetry has been translated into numerous languages.

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