May 28, 1998 is the greatest event in the geopolitical and defence history of Pakistan. On this historic day, Pakistan has successfully conducted five nuclear tests in the rugged Chagai hills of Balochistan. These successful detonations made Pakistan, the seventh nuclear power of the world and, the first one in the Islamic world, to break the monopoly of the existing nuclear club. The day is significant for the large stride taken in science but the significance of the day is celebrated as “Youm-e-Takbeer” is a beautiful story of the public and the pride of the nation.
The Meaning and Cultural Context of “Takbeer”
In Arabic the meaning of Takbeer is to magnify or glorify God, particularly the declaration of “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great). In Pakistani and Islamic context, the Takbeer is raised when great victories are achieved, historic breakthroughs or when the community gathers for an event of great joy.
The link to May 28 is very visceral. At the end of the final countdown and when the button was pressed, the black mountains of the Ras Koh range turned visible white under the impact of the blasts underground. In the presence of this marvelous scene, a group of scientists, engineers, soldiers and observers burst into cheers of “Allahu Akbar!” — or “God is great!” — in an emotional state. It was this spirit of faith and victory that came to birth the day’s title.
History of Youm-e-Takbeer and the Public Naming Campaign
After the Chagai-I tests were absolutely successful, the sitting Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif wanted a special name to make the date memorable. The Government chose not to use a committee approach but to engage the whole country.
A large-scale nationwide campaign was launched in the Ministry of Information and via Pakistani Television (PTV) mediums. Everyone was encouraged to make their own imaginative proposals on how 28th May should be known.
The reaction was astounding. Millions of Pakistanis wrote letters and faxed the selection committees with thousands of possible names. Of all the entries, “Youm-e-Takbeer” was the winner. According to official records, the name was initiated on its own by several citizens, including one particularly by Syed Ghazanfar Abbas. The name was approved by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and later the winning citizens were invited to the Prime Minister’s House for the award of honorary certificates and national awards.
The Geopolitical Tension of May 1998
One has to have familiarity with the pressure cooker atmosphere of mid-May 1998 to truly grasp the History of Youm-e-Takbeer. India had held its Pokhran-II nuclear tests just two weeks ago on 11th and 13th May. This sudden escalation had a huge impact on the balance of power in South Asia and posed a threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty.
The international community put tremendous pressure on Pakistan to not retaliate. Even the world powers threatened economic sanctions that would be devastating for Pakistan. And US President Bill Clinton is said to have promised him a financial aid package of several billions dollars if he did not test. But the country’s leaders with the relentless resolve of great scientists such as Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan opted for self-reliance.
In an official statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan (MOFA), the day is a reminder of Pakistan’s resolve to maintain credible minimum deterrence and strive for peace. In addition, May 28 is a monument of an undefeatable national defence according to the national broadcaster Radio Pakistan.
Youm-e-Takbeer: A Legacy of National Unity
With a nation united to survive and be dignified, no pressure from the world can make them succumb, the History of Youm-e-Takbeer today reminded the nation. The day is celebrated as a national holiday in Pakistan, not only to mark the achievements of science but also to honor the numerous unsung heroes who laboured in the background to ensure that Pakistan’s defenses were impregnable.
