KARACHI: 11th September marks the death anniversary of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It has been 71 years since the passing of a man that has inspired many and even has a road in Turkey named after him!
In order to remember the amazing man that he was, we have short listed some of his most powerful sayings that give a sense of the persona that was Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
1. On certainty of self and making informed decisions:
“Think a hundred times before you take a decision, but once that decision is taken, stand by it as one man.”
2. On the importance of women and treating them as equals:
-“No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you. We are victims of evil customs. It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as prisoners. There is no sanction anywhere for the deplorable condition in which our women have to live.”
– “No nation can ever be worthy of its existence that cannot take its women along with the men. No struggle can ever succeed without women participating side by side with men. There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and the other is the pen. There is a great competition and rivalry between the two. There is a third power stronger than both, that of the women.”
3. On freedom of belief/religion:
“You are free; you are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creed—that has nothing to do with the business of the state.”
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4. On humility:
“I have lived as plain Mr. Jinnah and I hope to die as plain Mr. Jinnah. I am very much averse to any title or honours and I will be more than happy if there was no prefix to my name.”
5. On peace and being agreeable:
“Our object should be peace within, and peace without. We want to live peacefully and maintain cordial friendly relations with our immediate neighbours and with the world at large.”
6. On being free from discrimination:
“We are starting in the days where there is no discrimination, no distinction between one community and another, no discrimination between one caste or creed and another. We are starting with this fundamental principle: that we are all citizens, and equal citizens, of one State.”
Read: Remembering the ‘Mother of the Nation’ Fatima Jinnah
7. On selfless devotion:
“You will have to make up for the smallness of your size by your courage and selfless devotion to duty, for it is not life that matters, but the courage, fortitude and determination you bring to it.”
8. On working hard:
“I insist you to strive. Work, Work and only work for satisfaction with patience, humbleness and serve thy nation.”
