The old debate whether the Father of the Nation desired Pakistan to be an Islamic or secular state has not come to an end. It was revived by the biographer of the Quaid-i-Azam, Rizwan Ahmad, during a talk he gave in a function hosted by Nazriya Pakistan Council, here on Thursday.
The function was held a day ahead of the Eid Miladun Nabi and three days before the commemoration of the Pakistan Day. Rizwan Ahmad leaned on the Islamic interpretation in narrating important events in the life of the Quaid, and was categorical that the Father of the Nation anted Pakistan to be a welfare Islamic state, but not theocracy or Papaism, and certainly not secular.
Relating his talk to the Eid Miladun Nabi he said the Quaid would often weep at the mention of the name of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was inculcated in him through his father-teacher.
As a child young Muhammad Ali Jinnah would ask his sister why the Muezzin was calling his name every day until he was explained that it was not his name but that of the Holy Prophet. Citing an example the Grand Mufti of Palestine Mutfti Yamin Al Hussaini wrote a letter to Quaid, from a prison in Paris.
The Quaid's biographer asked why the Mufti should write to him unless he was convinced of the Quaid's Islamic orientation. He said the letter is persevered in Pakistan and he had given to Hamdard Foundation.
He also said that he had deposited four volumes of original letters of the Quaid with the Hamdard Foundation. Why not at the National Archives? He answered that by revealing that original documents, which are supposed to be in safekeeping of the government, have been sold out. At least the Hamdard Foundation would take care of the priceless documents and not allow anyone to sell them for making money.
Giving another evidence of the Quaid's devotion to Islam, Rizwan Ahmad said that the Quaid left law practice after 1943. He was quite firm in his resolve that no lawyer should falsely plead a case.
Rizwan Ahmad suggested the production of short pamphlets on Quaid's life to be distributed freely among the youths. 'The days of long books are over, as it would fail to catch the attention of young people who wanted a shorter document to give them capsulate information.'
In order that the youths or adults learn about his statements we must invariably mention the date and the occasion on which Jinnah made his speech or spoke those words
Former information secretary Lieutenant General Mujibur Rahman (Retd) gave away gold medal at the function to Ms Saadia Rashed, Uxi Mufti and Arif Masud. Awards were also announced for Begum Bilquis Edhi, Professor Waheed Quraishi, Kamran Lashari, and Sharif Farooq, who were not present to receive in recognition of outstanding contribution to Pakistan during the yester years.
The NP president, Zahid Malik observed that Pakistan is one of the very good countries of the Third World and we should work to improve things. 'Before retiring at night every citizen must ask himself as to what he had done today for his country.'
Comments
Comments are closed.