Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah: Muhammad Ali Jinnah

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Quaid-e-Azam’s 134th Birth Anniversary (25th December 2010)

Great people celebrate birthdays or observe death anniversaries of the Fathers of their nations not merely by pompous display of festivities but by strictly following the precepts and guidelines left by their founding fathers in letter and spirit.

Quaid-e-Azam cutting his Birthday cake on 25 December,1947 in Karachi

25 Dec. 1947: Quaid reading about the felicitations on his birthday in the 'Dawn'. The headline says '71 today'

The Nation will celebrate the 134th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on Saturday, renewing the pledge to follow his guiding principle of Unity, Faith and Disciple, thus promoting prosperity, peace and harmony and consolidating democratic process in the country.

Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah whose word was law for his followers. But he never acted like a dictator. He derived his power from the people to whom he always considered himself accountable. At a time he was offered life presidentship of the All India Muslim League. He refused by saying that he would like to come before the Muslim League Council every year and get himself elected its president on the strength of his performance.

Prof Stanley Wolpret in his book ‘Jinnah of Pakistan’ says:

‘Few individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation-state. Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all three.’

Jinnah had a firm faith in the democratic system of Government and throughout his life he continued to adhere scrupulousy to the democratic norms. Muslim League activist had assembled at a Muslim League General Council meeting under his presidentship. He invited participants to express their views. The councillors said “You are our leaders, you order and we-will follow.” The Quaid said what was fun of assembling people from every nook and comer of the country. If he was to order, he would have issued a statement in the press.

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Jinnah refused to be Knighted!

Lord Reading offered Quaid-e-Azam Judgeship of a High Court, but Quaid-e-Azam refused the offer. Lord Reading next offered him Law Membership in the Viceroy’s cabinet. This offer was also refused. Lord Reading then sounded Quaid-e-Azam whether he would agree to be knighted.

Quaid-e-Azam refused saying:

I prefer to be plain Mr. Jinnah than “ Sir Muhammad Ali Jinnah.”

At a social function Lord Reading wanted Mrs. Jinnah persuade her husband agree to be knighted.

Mariam Jinnnah (Ruttie) said:

" If my husband accepts knighthood, I will take a separation from him.”

Why Quaid-e-Azam opposed Gandhi's gospel of Non-Cooperation?

Quaid-e-Azam said:

“If we are going to regulate everything in our country by the doctrine of non-violence and non-cooperation, then I am afraid we are forgetting human nature.”

Quaid-e-Azam stood for advancing the cause of their people through higher education while Mr. Gandhi in India wanted the boys and girls to give up education and boycott schools.

Q & A session: Quaid-e-Azam's Press Conference, Delhi (July 14th, 1947)

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Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had a press conference July 14th (1947) in Delhi, following is Q & A session.

Q. Could you as governor-general make a brief statement on the minorities problem?

A. At present I am only governor-general designate. We will assume for a moment that on August 15 I shall be really the governor-general of Pakistan. On that assumption, let me tell you that I shall not depart from what I said repeatedly with regard to the minorities. Every time I spoke about the minorities I meant what I said and what I said I meant. Minorities to whichever community they may belong will be safeguarded. Their religion or faith or belief will be secure. There will be no interference of any kind with their freedom of worship. They will have their protection with regard to their religion, faith, their life, their culture. They will be, in all respects, the citizens of Pakistan without any distinction of caste or creed. The will have their rights and privileges and no doubt along with this goes the obligations of citizenship. Therefore, the minorities have their responsibilities also, and they will play their part in the affairs of this state. As long as the minorities are loyal to the state and owe true allegiance, and as long as I have any power, they need have no apprehension of any kind.

Q. Would your interest in the Muslims of Hindustan continue as it is today?

A. My interest will continue in Hindustan in every citizen and particularly the Muslims.

Q. As president of the All India Muslim League what measures do you propose to adopt to assure the safety of Muslims in Hindu provinces?

A. All that I hope for is that the Muslims in the Hindustan states will be treated as justly as I have indicated we propose to treat non-Muslim minorities. I have stated the broad principles of policy, but the actual question of safeguards and protection for minorities in the respective states can only be dealt with by the Constituent Assembly.

Q. What are your comments on recent statements and speeches of certain Congress leaders to the effect that if Hindus in Pakistan are treated badly they will treat Muslims in Hindustan worse?

A. I hope they will get over this madness and follow the line I am suggesting. It is no use picking up the statements of this man here or that man there. You must remember that in every country there are crooks, cranks, and what I call mad people.

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