Waqar Naseem Wamiq
RIYADH — The greatest Pakistani philanthropist, celebrated humanitarian and national hero Abdul Sattar Edhi, 88, passed away in Karachi recently and Pakistanis, at home and abroad, mourned the death of a great man. His death is considered to be one of the biggest loss of Pakistan after Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s death.
Edhi was born into a family of traders in Gujarat, and he arrived in Pakistan in 1947. He established a unique organization called Edhi Foundation in 1951 after the sad demise of her mother. The Foundation provides, among many other services, shelter for the destitute, free hospital services and medical care, drug rehabilitation services, and national and international relief efforts.
Edhi was laid to rest in the clothes he died in, and buried in a grave he himself dug several years earlier at the Edhi village near Karachi. He wanted to donate his body parts, but only his cornea could be harvested, as the remaining organs were not in healthy condition.
Content with just two sets of clothes, he slept in a windowless room of white tiles adjoining the office of his charitable foundation. Sparsely equipped, it had just one bed, a sink and a hotplate.
Following the sad demise of Edhi, Pakistanis around the globe mourned his death and voiced their sentiments through social media and every available source. In Saudi capital Riyadh, many Pakistanis contacted Saudi Gazette and recorded their messages as follows.
Secretary-General Bazm-e-Riaz Tasaduq Gilani said, "He is a legend of legends, an example for humanity, particularly for us that how one person, under any given circumstances has created a history for mankind. It's a lesson too that everyone can make a difference, no matter what are the working conditions and atmosphere."
Adnan Butt, PRO PML-N Riyadh, stated, "Let's promise today to follow what he taught us. He is the best example for an average Pakistani, a man who put humanity before his own comfort, a man with a heart of gold, a soul so pure, a man unlike any, we will never let the light blow itself out, and he will be remembered forever."
Deputy Secretary General of Halqa-e-Fikr-o-Funn Dr. Hina Ambreen said, "We are born in an era when we had a legend like Edhi. He supported humanity in the best possible way, his love and care for humans has always been beyond religious, political or geographical borders. No words could ever extend our gratitude for what he has provided to our generation. To carry on his mission further and farther is one way that we can let this era continue even after Edhi has left us."
Rehan Akam, a businessman, expressed his feelings succintly, “Edhi is the pride of our nation and we are proud for humanity that his religion was humanity. Abdul Sattar Edhi has left all the Pakistanis in mourning as he was really a benefactor of humanity with exception of race, sect, creed and religion. Edhi was respected and honored by the whole world. The services he rendered for the suffering humanity will always be remembered with the sense of gratitude. He was no doubt the gem of this century.”
Dr. Irum Qalbani, secretary general of Humnava ladies group, stated, “Generations to come will read about Edhi as a great philanthropist and as an icon who stood for services to humanity without discrimination but we have this privilege to have lived in his time and some of us are even luckier to have met him, and the luckiest are those who have worked with him. It is natural to die and thousands die every day but hardly ever we have someone like him who gets the whole country to mourn for him.”
Abrar Tanoli of Pakistan Haj Volunteers Group said, “Edhi's death caused great vacuum, not only to the Pakistani nation but to humanity. People like Edhi are born only once in centuries. He was a shelter for thousands of poor and destitute people. His services for humanity will be remembered for centuries and the deep hole his death has caused may never be filled.”
Wasim Sajid, deputy general secretary of PPP Riyadh, said, “It’s an irrecoverable loss to the nation. The passing away of Edhi has brought an era to an end. Though he left us physically but the legacy he left behind will stay alive and live always among us and entire world. His untiring, sincere and hardworking humanitarian services will remain the source of inspiration for all of us. Undoubtedly the greatest personality of the century.”
Fawad Ali, a talented youth, praised Edhi as follows, “Edhi was the real hero of humanity in the history of mankind. His services to mankind irrespective of religion, location, color and race will be remembered. It is very rare that we are able to find such personalities who serves mankind selflessly.”
Dr. Mansour Memon of Pakistan Cultural Group paid rich tribute to Edhi. “The man who provided homes to many had no home of his own and this is real Islamic philanthropy. Edhi Foundation is committed, under the guidance of Bilquis and Faisal and us all Pakistanis, to continue his mission for the relief of sufferings of millions of our countrymen.”
Naqi Hassan, senior executive of Bazm-e-Riaz, said, “Edhi has done what most of the mankind couldn't do, his acts are the confirmation that he has done all this without thinking of any sort of rewards. He was one of the most selfless person, we should try to adhere to his teachings”.
Hassan Mehdi, a Pakistani professional, promised to follow in the footsteps of Edhi. “We must promise ourselves today that we'll present a tribute to this great person by extending our services for the welfare of humanity, in our own capacity. May Allah give us the courage to bear this great loss and enable us to play our positive role to continue his great mission.”
