By Tahir Saeed
Seventy-three years ago, the Muslims of the Indian Subcontinent gained independence as a result of their persistent efforts and sacrifices under the miraculous leadership of their Quaid, who was the great leader of the 20th Century. His flawless character and complete faith in the righteousness of the cause made possible the creation of the largest Muslim state ‘Pakistan’ in the South Asian Subcontinent on August 14, 1947.
At the time of partition, some ninety-five million Muslims lived in the subcontinent, about eighty million in British India, and the remaining in the princely States. Quaid-i-Azam proved himself as the sole spokesman of the millions of Muslims living not only in the subcontinent but also in other parts of the world.
He made his debut in active politics in 1906 when he attended the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress.
During his entire political career, Jinnah not only led the Muslims of India in the struggle for independence but also advocated the cause of the Muslims strongly and eloquently around the world. He was fully aware of the problems faced by Muslims living in countries such as Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Iraq, Egypt, etc.
The All India Muslim League (AIML) termed the issue of Palestine as the issue of the Muslims of the whole world. The League in its session held in December 1938 declared: “this session of the All India Muslim League warns the British government that if they persist in trying to give practical shape to the idea prevalent among certain sections of the British and Americans that Palestine be made the national home of the Jews, it will lead to a state of perpetual unrest and conflict.”
Quaid-i-Azam visited Cairo on December 22, 1945, to exchange views with the world leaders and present the cause of a separate homeland. Later, the President of Muslim brotherhood, in his letter of May 29, 1947, wrote to Quaid:
“We have taken the occasion of the meeting of the conference as an opportunity to enable our representative who is one of the most loyal and true Muslim Egyptians to enter India, and to express not only in writing but also verbally the sincere sentiments of Egypt towards the blessed Pakistan movement.”
When the Netherland forces landed in Indonesia, the AIML passed a resolution showing their support for the independence of Indonesian people.
Muslims of India and Saudi Arabia have very long relationship dating back to centuries. This relationship was further strengthened during Pakistan movement. Jinnah received a greeting message from King Abdul Aziz Ibne Saud. of Saudi Arabia on the creation of Pakistan and he responded to this letter with the same spirit through a telegram: reading: “Extremely grateful for your good wishes and greetings to Muslims of India on a historical occasion of the establishment of Pakistan. I joint you in your prayer that Almighty may guide our steps in the cause of peace and help us to cement bonds of Muslim brotherhood and, we may stand on the solid rock of Islam.”
During 1945, the people of Syria, as well as other Muslim countries, were struggling hard against the European invasions. Quaid-i-Azam was fully aware of the movements and delivered a statement on this issue in the following words:
“On behalf of the Musalmans (Muslims) of India, I, whole-heartedly and deeply sympathise with the people of Syria, and Lebanon and those who have fallen and have suffered for their nation, and, I hope the Arab League which meets on 4th of June, will accord their complete and wholehearted support to Syria and Lebanon and resist any attempt or terms that may be suggested by France or anybody else which are calculated to be detrimental to the sovereignty or the interest of these two states, and that they would resist any such attempt at all costs.”
The Muslims of India had great affection for the people of Turkey. Jinnah, while addressing on the occasion of the 8th session of the AIML at Bombay in 1915, said: “There are four hundred million Muslims in the world bound together in brotherhood; their feelings and sentiments should not be ignored, in any settlement which may be arrived at.”
Later on, in 1919, Jinnah sent a memorandum to the Prime Minister of Great Britain and Ireland. This representation was on behalf of the Muslims dealing with the issue of Khilafat in detail. Quaid-i-Azam had great regard for Kamal Ataturk and was extremely shocked at his demise. Jinnah requested all the provincial, districts, and primary Muslim League bodies all over India to observe Friday the 18thof November as ‘Kamal Day’ to express their sorrow and grief on the demise of the great leader.
It was his support to the entire Muslim Ummah around the world that the world leaders pay rich tribute to the Quaid whenever they visit Pakistan. Nelson Mandela, the great leader and freedom fighter of South Africa, after his arrival in Pakistan in 1992, visited the birthplace of the Quaid, the historic Wazir Mansion building in Kharadar, Karachi. Mandela was inspired to see the relics of the founder of Pakistan, preserved in the Museum. These relics were used by Quaid, while he was alive. After the visit Mandela wrote: “Every sight related to leader Ali Jinnah is a source of inspiration- 2-10-1992”.
The time has come now that instead of observing the independence day of Pakistan, we should study the life, character, and the vision of the Quaid-i-Azam and try to align our lives accordingly, so that we could achieve a prosperous Pakistan which was the dream of our beloved Quaid.
– The writer is Deputy
Director, Department of Archaeology &
Museums, Islamabad.
He can be reached at:
t_saeed2000hotmail.com
caption
Jinnah with Grand Mufti of Palestine in Cairo in 1946