Mark of appreciation: A common man’s love for Edhi
Ahmedullah, who lived at the Edhi Village as a child, has created a hand-made model of Edhi's mausoleum
Abdul Sattar Edhi (Late) PHOTO: EXPRESSTRIBUNE
KARACHI:
Without a shadow of a doubt, Abdul Sattar Edhi is a name that has been etched into the collective memory of Pakistanis for eternity. The way Edhi selflessly dedicated his life to serving humanity has been exemplary and unprecedented in the country’s history.
Even though Edhi was indiscriminately loved and respected by every Pakistani, he holds a very special place in Ahmedullah’s heart - a Pashto-speaking youth from Quetta, who has recently paid a tribute to the world-renowned social worker by creating a hand-made model of his mausoleum.
“I was homeless and in desperate need of shelter. I had lost all hopes but then I was taken to the Edhi Village Home, where I stayed and received my basic education,” Ahmedulllah recalled. Located at Karachi’s Super Highway, Edhi Village is home to more than 1,300 abandoned, orphaned, mentally retarded and handicapped children. That is also the place where Abdul Sattar Edhi was laid to rest.
While living there, Ahmedullah saw the great philanthropist visiting the facility several times.
Who you gonna call? Edhi
“I used to see him regularly and found him to be a highly honest person who understood the sorrows of humanity like no one else”, Ahmedullah told The Express Tribune. “In fact, nobody has ever served humanity in Pakistan like Edhi sahib.”
He said that he made the model of Edhi’s mausoleum with white and fuchsia-coloured plastic beads and installed small electric bulbs inside the structure for lighting.
“It took me a total of two months, along with an expenditure of Rs15,000 to create the model. I didn’t have that much money, so I borrowed some from my friend in Quetta,” Ahmedullah said. “However, I want to make it clear that I spent my time and money to create the model solely out of love and affection for Edhi sahib. I do not need any personal or monetary benefits through the showpiece.”
Ahmedullah further said he wishes Edhi’s mausoleum to be of the same design which he has created for his model. The youngster travelled from Quetta to reach the Karachi Press Club on December 9, so that he could get assistance in meeting with Faisal Edhi, the son of late Abdul Sattar Edhi, who is responsible for looking after the affairs of the Edhi Foundation after the death of his father.
Nation remembers Abdul Sattar Edhi on 3rd death anniversary
“Through the assistance of some Press Club members, I managed to reach the office of the Edhi Foundation, however, I could not meet Faisal Edhi as he has been ill,” Ahmedullah said. “I saw the office where the late Edhi sahib used to sit every day to run the daily affairs of his charitable organisation. It made me emotional.”
Ahmedullah had a chance to meet Saad Edhi, the son of Faisal Edhi, who warmly welcomed the youngster at the foundation.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Saad Edhi said that his family and the Edhi Foundation wholeheartedly acknowledge Ahmedullah’s love and affection for the legendary Abdul Sattar Edhi. “We have still not constructed a mausoleum for the late Abdul Sattar Edhi but it will surely be done at an appropriate time,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 11th, 2019.
Without a shadow of a doubt, Abdul Sattar Edhi is a name that has been etched into the collective memory of Pakistanis for eternity. The way Edhi selflessly dedicated his life to serving humanity has been exemplary and unprecedented in the country’s history.
Even though Edhi was indiscriminately loved and respected by every Pakistani, he holds a very special place in Ahmedullah’s heart - a Pashto-speaking youth from Quetta, who has recently paid a tribute to the world-renowned social worker by creating a hand-made model of his mausoleum.
“I was homeless and in desperate need of shelter. I had lost all hopes but then I was taken to the Edhi Village Home, where I stayed and received my basic education,” Ahmedulllah recalled. Located at Karachi’s Super Highway, Edhi Village is home to more than 1,300 abandoned, orphaned, mentally retarded and handicapped children. That is also the place where Abdul Sattar Edhi was laid to rest.
While living there, Ahmedullah saw the great philanthropist visiting the facility several times.
Who you gonna call? Edhi
“I used to see him regularly and found him to be a highly honest person who understood the sorrows of humanity like no one else”, Ahmedullah told The Express Tribune. “In fact, nobody has ever served humanity in Pakistan like Edhi sahib.”
He said that he made the model of Edhi’s mausoleum with white and fuchsia-coloured plastic beads and installed small electric bulbs inside the structure for lighting.
“It took me a total of two months, along with an expenditure of Rs15,000 to create the model. I didn’t have that much money, so I borrowed some from my friend in Quetta,” Ahmedullah said. “However, I want to make it clear that I spent my time and money to create the model solely out of love and affection for Edhi sahib. I do not need any personal or monetary benefits through the showpiece.”
Ahmedullah further said he wishes Edhi’s mausoleum to be of the same design which he has created for his model. The youngster travelled from Quetta to reach the Karachi Press Club on December 9, so that he could get assistance in meeting with Faisal Edhi, the son of late Abdul Sattar Edhi, who is responsible for looking after the affairs of the Edhi Foundation after the death of his father.
Nation remembers Abdul Sattar Edhi on 3rd death anniversary
“Through the assistance of some Press Club members, I managed to reach the office of the Edhi Foundation, however, I could not meet Faisal Edhi as he has been ill,” Ahmedullah said. “I saw the office where the late Edhi sahib used to sit every day to run the daily affairs of his charitable organisation. It made me emotional.”
Ahmedullah had a chance to meet Saad Edhi, the son of Faisal Edhi, who warmly welcomed the youngster at the foundation.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Saad Edhi said that his family and the Edhi Foundation wholeheartedly acknowledge Ahmedullah’s love and affection for the legendary Abdul Sattar Edhi. “We have still not constructed a mausoleum for the late Abdul Sattar Edhi but it will surely be done at an appropriate time,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 11th, 2019.