Gone but not forgotten: Condolence reference for Edhi held

Academics, humanitarians cite him as their inspiration

ISLAMABAD: A condolence reference in remembrance of Abdul Sattar Edhi was held on Friday  at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), where speakers called for continuing the legendary philanthropist’s mission of serving humanity.

Speakers included Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Pakistan Red Crescent Society Chairman Dr Saeed Elahi, Pakistan Sweet Homes Chairman Zamurd Khan, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar Vice Chancellor Dr Razia Sultana, Islamabad’s famed open-air school head and teacher Master Ayub Khan, and journalist and columnist Jabbar Mirza.

AIOU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Shahid Siddiqui said, the university arranged the condolence reference to honour Edhi’s memory, and that it aims to continue to highlight his contributions.

The university is actively engaged in undertaking research on societal reform. As a part of their welfare work, they also provide free education to prisoners all over the country.

He thanked the HEC for its support in enabling them to take new initiatives in promoting research-based and service-oriented activities.

While paying tribute to Edhi, Dr Ahmed emphasised the need to promote his lessons of tolerance, forgiveness and sacrifice.

Elahi shared memories from his personal association with the humanitarian and highlighted his various achievements, including that of having the largest private ambulance service in the world.

He expressed his hope that the late altruist’s last wish of establishing ‘Edhi University’ be fulfilled.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Sweet Homes Chairman Zamurd Khan said he had been a great admirer of the famed social worker, and that he was the one to inspire him to establish the orphanages. People like Edhi, he said, who devote their entire lives to social work, come once in every century.

He proposed that AIOU and other universities should include the story of the famed Good Samaritan’s life in their syllabus, so as to preserve his memory, as well as to inspire the younger generation.

Sultana underlined the need to involve students in volunteering.

“Edhi’s organisation is the best model for Pakistan to adopt to become a welfare state”, she added.

Master Ayub described Edhi as his inspiration to selflessly serve society, especially in the field of education.

Jabbar Mirza paid tribute in the form of a heartrending poem.

AIOU’s faculty members Dr Samina Awan and Dr Amir Shah also eulogised the humanitarian services of the Edhi organisation, and said the philanthropist will forever remain a source of national pride.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2016.