Transitions: Daman’s Sir Syed Ahmad Khan bows out

Activist Mohiuddin, 55, was gunned down in hujra by armed assailants

DI KHAN:

Mohiuddin’s last wish was to be buried at Shama Public School, the school he established in his hometown of Ruree in Kulachi, DI Khan. However, no one anticipated he would be brutally gunned down as he was on Saturday. No one who attended his funeral on Sunday imagined the 55-year-old social activist would die in such an unexpected manner.

“He was gunned down by armed assailants who barged into his hujra on Saturday,” a Kulachi policeman told The Express Tribune. “The culprits managed to escape after committing the crime.” Shakiruddin, the deceased’s brother, filed an FIR against the incident to ensure the culprits are taken to task. As the police investigate the murder, it is the void left by the 55-year-old’s demise that will take a toll on his loved ones.

“Mohiuddin was liked by everyone in Daman who had had the privilege of meeting him,” said Manzoor Gandapur, a close friend of the deceased. “Nearly six months ago, Mohiuddin’s son was abducted and he needed help to pay the ransom. He went from door-to-door asking people for money.”

According to Manzoor, no one rebuffed him during his time of need as he was a trusted member of the community.

For the greater good

In 2003, Mohiuddin took a courageous step to ensure both girls and boys in his hometown received quality education. He established Shama Public School – an English-medium school that offered co-education.

His decision to set up the institute created uproar in the community and was vehemently opposed by clerics. A large number of clerics refused to attend the school’s inauguration and issued fatwas against Shama Public School.

“However, Mohiuddin did not succumb to public pressure,” Manzoor said. “He continued to stay in his hometown and focused on making the school a success.”

With time, he established a branch of the institute in Gomal, Tank. In 2009, the school was turned into a trust and began offering free education. This was done to ensure students from underprivileged backgrounds could get a chance to study without being weighed down by tuition fees.

Man of virtue

There is no doubt Mohiuddin held education in high regard. The 55-year-old had earned master’s degrees in education, Islamiyat and Urdu. He was also the spokesperson for Gandapur Education Society and an active member of Gandapur Welfare Society through which he resolved disputes through in the region. “For the people of Daman, He was the region’s equivalent to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Abdul Sattar Edhi,” Manzoor said.

Search for justice

In his 50s, the social activist decided to go to law school so he could effectively adjudicate. His desire to obtain an LLB was prompted by the previous Awami National Party government’s decision to exclude private schools from the ETEA entry test taken by pupils of class six. Under the new rule, students from private schools would not be entitled to free education. As a result, Mohiuddin filed a petition in the Peshawar High Court against the ban.

“But during the proceedings, he kept speaking directly to the judge and disregarded his lawyer’s counsel to remain silent,” Manzoor said. “After the hearing, his lawyer told him his behaviour in court was unacceptable.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 9^th, 2015.