Celebrating Jinnah’s legacy: 10 quotes from Quaid-e-Azam on his birthday
On State and Religion
On August 11th 1947, before Pakistan was officially declared independent, Jinnah made one of his famous speeches highlighting the role of a state regarding the religion of its subjects, he said:
“You are free, 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 or caste or creed – that has nothing to do with the business of the State.”
In a broadcast talk to the American people in February 1948, Jinnah shared his thoughts on the future constitution of Pakistan:
“… In any case, Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state to be ruled by priests with a divine mission. We have many non-Muslims—Hindus, Christians, and Parsis — but they are all Pakistanis. They will enjoy the same rights and privileges as any other citizens and will play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan.”
Islam and Democracy
Despite showing his intentions that Pakistan would not adopt a theocratic model for running state affairs, he greatly emphasized on Islamic principles and values while referring to democracy as he also remarked the following words in his address to the American nation:
“I do not know what the ultimate shape of this constitution(Pakistan’s first constitution) is going to be, but I am sure that it will be of a democratic type, embodying the essential principle of Islam. Today, they are as applicable in actual life as they were 1,300 years ago. Islam and its idealism have taught us democracy. It has taught equality of man, justice and fairplay to everybody.”
In the same year, Jinnah delivered a speech in Sibbi, Balochistan where he said:
“I have one underlying principle in mind: the principle of Muslim democracy. It is my belief that our salvation lies in following the golden rules of conduct set for us by our great lawgiver, the prophet of Islam.”
Women Empowerment
Jinnah also strongly advocated for women’s rights he delivered the following speeches on different occasions:
“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.” (Muslim University Union, Aligarh -10 March 1944)
“I have always maintained that 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.” (Islamia College for women-25 March 1940)
Devotion and Dedication
In the eyes of his colleagues and critics, Jinnah was regarded as man of great character who remained steadfast and devoted to his ideas and values. Describing his ideals for life he was quoted as:
“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.”
Relations with Neighbouring Nations
On 15 August 1947, Jinnah described the main objective of Pakistan’s foreign policy in Lahore as he remarked:
“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.”
Vision for Pakistan
During his address in Chittagong in 1948, Jinnah said:
“The Story of Pakistan, its struggle and its achievement, is the very story of great human ideals, struggling to survive in the face of great odds and difficulties.”
As Pakistanis celebrated their first Eid-ul-Adha as independent nation, Jinnah in his message to the nation, expressed what did he want from us:
“My message to you all is of hope, courage and confidence. Let us mobilize all our resources in a systematic and organized way and tackle the grave issues that confront us with grim determination and discipline worthy of a great nation.” (October 1947)
Pakistan Zaindabad
