Observed by Pakistan Date May 28 | Type National Frequency annual | |
Celebrations Flag hoisting, Atomic energy exhibitions, award ceremonies, singing patriotic songs, entertainment and military programmes, speeches, etc. Next time 28 May 2017 (2017-05-28) | ||
Youm-e-Takbir (Urdu: یوم تکبیر; lit. The day of greatness) is celebrated as a national day in Pakistan on May 28 in commemoration of Chagai-I and Chagai-II when Pakistan detonated seven nuclear devices in response to India's five detonations of Pokhran-II in 1998, 17 days after the incident. The tests made Pakistan the seventh nation to possess nuclear weapons, and the first in the Muslim world.
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Etymology
This phrase is recited by Muslims in many different situations. For example, when they are very happy, during times of extreme stress, to express approval, to praise a speaker, or as a battle cry (contemporarily used by Pakistan Army). In the Islamic world, instead of applause, often someone will shout Takbir or Nara-e-Takbir (in Urdu or Persian) and the crowd will respond with Allahu Akbar (God is great). The word is also used in Muslim prayers. The Government of Pakistan asked for proposals from the nation to decide a name by which the day should be celebrated. A country wide campaign was launched to select the name for this particular day. Thousands of names were propose by millions of Pakistanis. This name was suggested by more than one persons. All persons who suggested this name were given away Prime Minister Award. Youm-e-Takbir here can be translated to "The day of greatness" or "The day of God's greatness".
Celebrations
The day was officially signed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif. It was first celebrated by giving awards such as Chagai Medal to various individuals and industries in the field of science and industries. The Nawaz Sharif government also established the Chagai I Medal and it was first awarded to the scientists of Pakistan in 1998 who witnessed the tests. The graphite mountains are visibly shown in the gold medallion and equal ribbon stripes of yellow, red and white.