Saviour of Humanity

As the Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Imran Khan, launched the poverty alleviation initiative “Ehsaas”by his government; it brings back memories of the time when he launched the Shaukat Khanum Hospital, inspired by suffering of the poor of the country.

Back then, I paid tribute the passion and zeal of the man, who inspired his nation to join him to do good.

Below, I share the tribute poem written in September 1993, for Imran Khan the philanthropist, who as Prime Minister, now leads the nation to bring the change we are all so desperate for:

 

Sent by the Almighty to save humanity,

he is the lone great personality.

To save the wailing populace,

this man has brought us to a common place.

 

having a mission in life:

to fulfill the ambition and stop strife

got busy in preparing the balm,

which the admirers call a ‘psalm’;

First brought together to complement each other,

then could not implement one with the other,

gave up the the most beloved career,

which he thought was now a barrier.

many have joined him in his crusade,

to raise their voice to persuade,

Those who don’t come forward

to take the mission onward.

so they tell their sisters and brothers,

God loves those who live for others!

 

 

https://m.facebook.com/notes/imran-khan-official/ehsaas-prime-ministers-policy-statement/2143685195684896/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shaukat Khanum Hospital, Peshawar.

Soon after the cricket World Cup of 1992, I met Imran Khan in my college: he asked me to write, and publish essays, creating awareness about the disease; as well as the campaign he was running, to collect funds for the first ever cancer hospital of the country.  

  
Twenty years on, as we celebrate the opening of the second Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Peshawar, I look back and reproduce below the essay I wrote in June 1992!

This is my tribute to the Pakistanis’ spirit of giving, and the determination of the founder Imran Khan, and his team: 

  
  
 

Blood relations are deep rooted and indestructible.  They induce emotional strength in an individual bringing balance to our lives.  

Losing a beloved- especially due to a painful disease- brings a sense of deprivation, which is unfathomable!

Mother is a relation we feel proud of, and is our most precious possession!

When somebody loses a loved one due to lack of health facilities in one’s country, and medical services  of another country are too late to save the life… – Has been the story of our country!

Humans being mortals,  have to leave this world  for the eternal abode… But leaving the world due to a fatal illness… Something for which everything was within grasp, and yet it was too late!
The aim of my prologue was to bring forth the pain, sorrow, the struggle and the story of the overcoming of all these emotions ; by the one person known to us all as the “King Khan”!

Today, this indisputable King of cricket is fighting tooth and nail to rid himself of the insomnia, he is suffering  from for the last seven years! To get rid of the sense of deprivation he has after losing his mother to this deadly disease.  

He said this himself:

“I had always been very close to my mother, and had I not been playing cricket, this would have been more difficult time for me.”

Someone asked him why he wanted to establish a memorial for his mother.  People make monuments to commemorate their beloveds like the Taj Mahal. 

Speaking with a heavy heart he replied: “it was during my mother’s illness that I came to know about the almost non existent facilities of the diagnosis and treatment of cancer”.

First, the lack of facilities, and secondly the helplessness and meagre resources of the poor, compelled him to plan such a hospital in the country.

The suffering of the patients and the agony of their relatives was the main factor that convinced him to bring to reality what so many wished for.  To end the nightmares of millions!
For four years, he was indecisive.  But God helps those who are determined!

The tragedy shook him and awakened his conscience to make an effort to save millions of lives!

 Today, we need to stand up and tell him he is not alone in his fight.  We must lend him a helping hand.
Let’s all help Imran Khan- by joining his team- to bowl out cancer!
Originally written on 7th June 1992.

Rediscovering Identity V (e) History of Lahore: date of foundation

Date of Foundation
Conclusions drawn by Colonel Tod.

Identification of the Labokla of Ptolemy with Lahore

Bernier visits Lahore and the Chinese pilgrim Hwen Thsang visits Panjab

Date fixed at the end of first and beginning of second century of Christian era.

Rediscovering Identity V (d) More sketches from : History of Lahore

Words, words, words.

Though this be madness, yet there is method in ‘t. (Hamlet)

Oh, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt,
Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew,
Or that the Everlasting had not fixed
His canon ‘gainst self-slaughter! O God, God!
How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this world!
Fie on ’t, ah fie! ‘Tis an unweeded garden
That grows to seed. Things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merely. That it should come to this.
But two months dead—nay, not so much, not two.
(Hamlet)

Narrated by Abu Musa (RA): Some people asked Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) “Whose Islam is the best? i.e. (Who is a very good Muslim)?” He replied, “One who avoids harming the Muslims with his tongue and hands.” (Bukhari)

I had thought there will stars, moon all,
Under one flag there will be all,
BUT
As many Muslims have killed of their own
All the world together has not killed that many!
(Hassan Mehdi Abidi)

We are the hollow men
We are the stuffed men
Leaning together
Headpiece filled with straw. Alas!
Our dried voices, when
We whisper together
Are quiet and meaningless
As wind in dry grass
Or rats’ feet over broken glass
In our dry cellar

Shape without form, shade without colour,
Paralysed force, gesture without motion;

Those who have crossed
With direct eyes, to death’s other Kingdom
Remember us-if at all-not as lost
Violent souls, but only
As the hollow men
The stuffed men
(The Hollow Men, T. S. Eliot)

Eyes I dare not meet in dreams
In death’s dream kingdom
These do not appear:
There, the eyes are
Sunlight on a broken column
There, is a tree swinging
And voices are
In the wind’s singing
More distant and more solemn
Than a fading star.

Let me be no nearer
In death’s dream kingdom
Let me also wear
Such deliberate disguises
Rat’s coat, crowskin, crossed staves
In a field
Behaving as the wind behaves
No nearer—

Not that final meeting
In the twilight kingdom
(Hollow Men, T. S. Eliot)

This is the dead land
This is cactus land
Here the stone images
Are raised, here they receive
The supplication of a dead man’s hand
Under the twinkle of a fading star.

Is it like this
In death’s other kingdom
Waking alone
At the hour when we are
Trembling with tenderness
Lips that would kiss
Form prayers to broken stone.

IV

The eyes are not here
There are no eyes here
In this valley of dying stars
In this hollow valley
This broken jaw of our lost kingdoms

In this last of meeting places
We grope together
And avoid speech
Gathered on this beach of the tumid river

Sightless, unless
The eyes reappear
As the perpetual star
Multifoliate rose
Of death’s twilight kingdom
The hope only
Of empty men.
(Hollow Men, T. S Eliot)

Here we go round the prickly pear
Prickly pear prickly pear
Here we go round the prickly pear
At five o’clock in the morning.

Between the idea
And the reality
Between the motion
And the act
Falls the Shadow
For Thine is the Kingdom

Between the conception
And the creation
Between the emotion
And the response
Falls the Shadow
Life is very long

Between the desire
And the spasm
Between the potency
And the existence
Between the essence
And the descent
Falls the Shadow
For Thine is the Kingdom

For Thine is
Life is
For Thine is the

This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.

Who knows when I’ll be killed declared an infidel
The whole city claims to be Muslim!

Rediscovering Identity V (c) Lahore and it’s origins: Name.

Hindu Traditions and founder of Lohawar

From Hindu Lavpor to Mahomedan Alahwar

Amir Khusro’s Lahanur

Conclusion: Rama’s son Loh behind the city’s name

Rediscovering Identity:V(a) Sketches from: History of Lahore, by Syed Muhammad Latif

Rediscovering Identity IV: Syed Muhammad Latif.

EARLY LIFE

Syed Muhammad Latif was born around 1845, in Delhi. Although English education was disliked in the family, but his father Syed Azeem had set the new trend of acquiring the same- hence it was smooth sailing for S.M. Latif in this regard.

After his Arabic and Persian (farsi) coaching, he attended renowned educational institutions of India.
During the time at Kattrra Taarkahsan wala, Latif’s Arabic and Persian teacher was Munshi Asad Ullah.

KNOWLEDGE OF LANGUAGES

He was fluent in Urdu, Persian, Arabic, as well as Sanskrit and Hindi.
He also had great expertise in English and French.

MARRIAGE

He married the daughter of Qazi Wali Jaan, who was a very close relative of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Khanbahadur Judge Maulvi Sameeullah.
Due to this marriage, Syed Latif became very close to Sir Syed and often used to discuss various matters with him.
During Sir Syed’s trip to Punjab (1885), Muradabad’s newspaper “Nayyar Azam” criticized Sir Syed. To this, Syed Latif argued in favour of Sir Syed in his newspaper “Punjabi”.

EARLY WRITINGS

Due to the literary atmosphere of the family, Syed Latif’s inclination towards reading and writing was evident from an early age.
His first work was, however, a book of poetry named “Dewan-e- Latif”, which was published in 1870.

In 1865, when the newspaper “Punjabi”was relaunched, S. M. Latif was the translator and editor of the paper.

JUDICIAL CAREER

In 1868 Syed Muhammad Latif was appointed as the translator in the Punjab Chief Court, where his remuneration was hundred rupees per month. Soon he became a Reader in the court. Later he was promoted to the post of Extra Assistant Judicial Commissioner. Later on, he also served as District and Sessions Judge in many districts.

HIS FAMOUS BOOKS ON HISTORY

In 1888 he wrote his book “The History of Punjab with a description of Lahore”.

Next year, he completed his “History of Agra”.

In 1891, his book “Ancient History of Multan” was published.

The same year, his book “History of Punjab” was published.

Next year his remarkable book “History of Lahore” was published.

These books, even today, are considered as most authentic sources of the time periods they cover.

HONOURS

He was on the editorial board of the “Journal of Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal”, which was published from Calcutta, as well as of “Calcutta Review”.

He was the fellow of Punjab University, Royal Astronomical Society and Royal Geographical Society.
He was a member of Asiatic Society of Bengal and Societie De La Paris(France).

He also served as a resident correspondent of many British and European newspapers.

He was given the titles of Khan Bahadur and Shams ul Ulema.

EARLY DEATH

In 1902 his name was recommended for the Punjab Chief Court. However, before he could take up his post, he expired on 9th February 1902.

Rediscovering Identity III- Syed M. Azeem

EARLY LIFE

Syed Muhammad Azeem was born in 1815 in Delhi. After his early traditional education, he went on to acquire the “forbidden fruit” of the time, i.e. English and contemporary education. He enrolled in the Delhi College.
In 1830, M Azeem was given a merit scholarship for his proficiency in English Language- thus the title “Munshi” was used for him.

After the completion of his education, he was employed in Delhi Gazette Press, as a compositor- where his monthly salary was five rupees. He also had the contract to supply printing materials to the Gazette.

Career in Journalism

During his time at Delhi Gazette Press, M. Azeem came to know of a press house being sold in Agra. In the meantime, when Punjab came under British Rule after the defeat of Sikhs, M. Azeem was determined to set up a printing press in Lahore.
With this in mind, he visited Lahore to select a place for the set up of his dream printing press. He came across a royal palace by the name of “Naulakha”.
It was situated outside the main city. The palace had many mansions and big courtyards. He bought the palace for setting up the first printing press of Lahore.

This was the location where the current Lahore Railway Station stands.

FIRST PRINTING PRESS OF PUNJAB

In 1848, the first publication of the press was a first for the entire Punjab. The press house was called “Lahore Chronicle Press”.
The publication was named “The Lahore Chronicle”. It was up-graded to a daily in English a little later. It consisted of separate English and Persian (Farsi) sections.
The staff was from all over India, and included English and other Europeans as well. Some were employed with the press in Agra.

The daily was published until 1963 under the name of Civil and Military Gazette.

Syed Shamsuddin’s (Azeem’s second son) journal describes a company with several share holders that owned the Chronicle. Syed Azeem had majority (twenty two) shares, and the rest belonged to a number of other people. Each share was worth two hundred and fifty rupees.

Other Publications

Due to a fall out between the various shareholders, M. Azeem parted ways with the Lahore Chronicles, and decided to set up his own publication. Syed Azeem named the new press house “Punjabi Press”.
He struck a partnership with Sir Robert Montgomery, who was the then Chief Commissioner of Punjab, and later perhaps was appointed the Governor. He was the one who suggested the name for the press house.

M. Azeem moved from Naulakha to a mention named Sultana wali haveli at the Wazir Khan Square.
In 1856, he published The Punjabi, from the property of Dewan Shankar Nath- adjacent to the Wazir Khan Mosque.
The newspaper was First published on 24th July, 1856.
An urdu biweekly newspaper named “Punjabi” was also published. Later it became a regular weekly.

Nafa’a Azeem was published in Arabic, three times a week.

Most people employed here became very well known and well off financially who, later went on to publish their own newspapers.

In 1861, the publications were temporarily halted, as M. Azeem had to travel to Delhi for his son M. Latif’s wedding.

When the printing business expanded, the press was shifted to a new location called “Kattrra Taar Kashan wala”.
By that time, the press had scribes or typing facility for every language of the Sub- continent. Printing machines were dedicated for different languages. This printing press was printing books and journals of every type and subject.

Naghma -e- Sanam, the first book on the art of music was also printed here. Dewan Muhammad Mardan Ali Khan wrote this outstanding book.

1857 War of Independence
During the so called “Mutiny” against the British Rule, the newspaper “Punjabi” was published whenever there was news from the war front. Sometimes, twice daily, or late at night. The “Breaking News” telegram came from the war front and, was quickly published and distributed via bull (“Saand”or zebu) riders! Breaking news was mailed at night to outer cities.

The newspaper “Punjabi” consisted of humour, political essays, international news and, weather report.
The newspaper was very popular due to it’s serious news content.

The newspaper was published until 1890.

M. Azeem also went to establish a branch of the press in Amritsar, and set it up in Karmonki deorrhi (meaning vestibule).

SOCIAL, PERSONAL, LITERARY AND PHILANTHROPIC ASPECTS OF LIFE

M. Azeem was a petit statured man. He was also good at gun shooting and swimming.
He never slept on a bed. He used a wooden platform (takht) to sleep during summer and, on the floor during winters.

Devotion to religion

His preference was to worship as much as possible. He would go out of the city (in Delhi), with a couple of other companions for prayer.
During one of these excursions that lasted several days, he was blessed with the vision of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H).
His daily recitations included the Dalayel-ul- Khairat, and Qaseeda Burda Sharif.

Syed Azeem had given his Oath of Allegiance to the Pir of emperors of Delhi, Mian Ghulam Naseer ud din of Chishtiya line of Sufiism.

Philanthropy

He was an expert chemist, and mostly distributed his formulations among the poor as charity.

His assistant was ordered to keep five hundred rupees handy, when going out- especially to social gatherings or weddings- so as to be able to help the host first and foremost if need be.

Many books printed at the press were donated to the department of education for distribution among poor students.

On the sixteenth of every month, daal and roti was distributed among the poor.

KHILLAT

He was presented with the royal costume “Khillat” for his services and efforts for the right and advancement of female education.

It was due to these services that he had the status of a “Vice-regal Courtier”, and was often visiting the Governor General and the Prince of Wales.

Poetry Recitations

Every month, a gathering of poets used to take place. It was open to public, and any one could come to participate.
Some former courtiers of Raja Ranjit Singh also used to take part regularly. One of them was Dewan Amar Nath, who wrote and recited the following naat verses during one of these gatherings:

Kya naat likoun main Mustafa ki
Noor haq o jalwa khuda ki

Jo baat k fehem main na aaye
Kya iss ka pata koi bataye

Kya naat kahe yeh zaar e khaak
Haq main jo ho tere maa irfnaak

Ab ghuncha e dil chaman chaman hai
Khaak rah paak panjtan hai

SAFEGUARDING SHIA RELICS

During the time Syed M. Azeem spent in Kat-trra Taar kashan wala,(during and right after the war of 1857)- colours and masts ( alam o shaday) used during Muharram processions were brought to Lahore for safekeeping.
Syed Azeem bought them all. They were mostly made from one piece brass and copper.
He got them varnished in gold and asked his personal scribe Maulvi Asad Ullah to inscribe them with devotional verses.

A new building was dedicated for the display of these relics. It was always fragranced with frankincense (loban).

Nawab Nawazish Ali Qazalbash would come for pilgrimage of these relics quite regularly.

In the open grounds attached to this house, the Muharram devotional gatherings were also hosted by Syed M. Azeem.

The dirge (soze, noha) reciters were invited from all over to take part in the mourning rituals.

On the seventh of Muharram, henna procession (part of mourning the groom to be Qasim son of Imam Hussain), was taken out as well.

Maatam or chest beating was never a part of these commemorations as the family follows the Sunni Sect, and has an Oath of Allegiance (beit), with the Chishtiya line of Sufis.

“Turban Exchange” Brotherhood with Nawab of Bahawalpur

Nawab of Bahawalpur Sadiq Muhammad Khan, son of Haji Muhammad Khan; was imprisoned in the Lahore Fort after the 1857 War of Independence.
Syed Muhammad Azeem visited him frequently. They became so close that they became brothers and exchanged turbans.

Nawab Sadiq had about five wives but was childless. He also asked if Azeem would give up his son Shams ud din for his adoption. Azeem’s wife declined.

The brotherly relations remained strong with the family and the third son of Azeem, Syed Siraj ud din was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Bahawalpur State.

Nawab Sadiq expired of diarrhoea during this imprisonment.

However, S. M. Azeem made strongest efforts through his newspaper The Punjabi, for the release of the Nawab. Just before the official orders of release, he passed on.

DEATH

In December 1884, Syed Azeem fell ill. His eldest son, Syed Muhammad Latif was deputed in Gurdaspur, who took his father with him.

Finally, on 27th January 1885, Syed Muhammad Azeem passed away.

His body was brought back to Lahore and buried in the exclusive family enclave of The Miani Sahib graveyard.

Long live, Gul Makai!

If you are trying to further the legacy of some of the most prominent women your country’s history has ever known- or trying to emulate the beacon you are named after, it’s a burden heavy enough to carry. Heavier still, if you are a fourteen year old, and trying to fight just like those women in a strife ridden place called the Swat Valley.

 

If you live in a country where bread is top priority and not books, your passion for books needs to be applauded. If you are someone who has realized in this tender age, that serving humanity is what you want to do… then hats off to you!

 

The brave woman you are named after, must be proudly wishing you the speediest recovery to enable you to carry on her legacy. Malalai Ana lives on through heroines like you and your friends, who endured the brutality with the bravery Pashtuns are famous for- whether you live in Pakistan or like Sharbat Gula, in Afghanistan.

 

You already are in the league of those extraordinary women, whom the nation is indebted to forever.

 

Today, as you meet your family and bring joy to your blood relatives, you are making proud the mother of the nation, Fatima Jinnah– who must be looking at you from the heavens above; and smiling with pride that the country she helped her brother create, in most adverse circumstances, will indeed survive and thrive, if daughters like you are born.

 

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Not only Miss Jinnah must be beaming, but her other companions like Raana Liaqat Ali Khan, and Shaista Ikramullah, must also be extremely pleased to know their shoes will be filled by most competent people. They fought for their rights and won. They educated themselves and millions of others. They inspired their generation to stand up and achieve the seemingly impossible goal of freedom, and be revered by all generations to come. You have inspired the same nation to rise against brutality, speak up and reclaim the same freedom, the dark forces are hell bent to destroy!

 

Latest updates on Malala:
www.uhb.nhs.uk/news/malala-yousafzai-status-updates.htm