Edhi’s son vows to continue father’s mission

Late philanthropist’s soyem held at Memon Masjid

KARACHI/SUKKUR: A heavy responsibility lies on my shoulders now. I will try my best to take my father’s mission forward, expressed Abdul Sattar Edhi’s son, Faisal, on the occasion of the revered humanitarian’s soyem on Sunday.

“I had joined my father in his mission during his lifetime and now my son (Saad) is helping me take this ahead,” commented Faisal, adding that he will, however, miss his father, always.



The soyem of the late philanthropist who died after a protracted kidney illness on Friday night was held at Memon Masjid. A number of politicians, social activists, philanthropists and people from all walks of life attended the event and offered prayers for the deceased.

Two separate gatherings, for men at the mosque and for women at the Edhi Home, were observed. Attendees offered their condolences to the bereaved family and recited verses from the Holy Quran for the departed.

Farooq Sattar of Muttahida Qaumi Movement said on the occasion that Edhi was not a man but an institution within himself. “[Edhi] was the recognition of Pakistan. He was the torch bearer of a welfare state.”

Sattar mentioned that Edhi always helped people irrespective of their caste, colour and religion. He said that the humanitarian’s demise has left millions of people orphaned.

MNA Arif Alvi of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf shared that Edhi is the best example for the youth. His teachings need to be understood, he stressed.

Senator Saeed Ghani of Pakistan Peoples Party and Waseem Aftab of Pak Sarzameen Party also expressed the same sentiments for the deceased and asserted that now it was the responsibility of all his countrymen to take his [Edhi’s] mission forward.

Noreen Aslam, wife of the city’s slain tough cop SP Chaudhry Aslam, also attended the event and extended her condolences to the Edhi family. She prayed that God may give strength to Faisal to fulfill the responsibility that has now been left on his shoulders. Dr Adeeb Rizvi, head of the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, where Edhi was being treated and breathed his last, also attended the soyem.



The police and Rangers had made special security arrangements at the venue to ensure that no untoward incident takes place.

Quran Khwanis in upper Sindh

Fateha and Quran Khwani were also held in various cities of upper Sindh to pay homage to Edhi. The Quran Khwani and Fateha were held at the Sukkur SSP office and police headquarters as well as in other areas by the traders’ community under the aegis of Sukkur Development Alliance and Sukkur Small Traders Association. A Quran Khwani was also held at the Larkana police headquarters, and other cities and towns of upper Sindh.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2016.