Book & Author
Dr. Shehla Kazmi: Quaid-i-Azam’s Vision of Education — Selected Quotations (1910-1948)
By Dr Ahmed S. Khan
Chicago, IL
“…Education is a matter of life and death to our nation... The Holy Prophet (PBUH) had enjoined his followers to go even to China in the pursuit of knowledge. If that was the commandment in those days when communications were difficult, then, truly, Muslims as the true followers of the glorious heritage of Islam, should surely utilize all available opportunities.”
- Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (14 January 1945, Speech at the 4 th Session of Gujerat Muslim Education Conference)
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (December 25, 1876 – September 11, 1948), the founder of Pakistan, was a lifelong advocate of education. All his life he had advised Muslims to get educated in various disciplines. Emphasizing the role of education, he had observed: “Without education it is complete darkness and with education it is light.”
In the 21st century’s knowledge-based global economy, countries can only progress by developing their intellectual capital via investment in education. The US academia is the global leader in intellectual capital development. Indians and Chinese are moving very fast in this domain; they have significant presence in the US academia and industry. If one randomly walks into any science, technology, and engineering departments in the top 100 schools of the US, one finds Indians and Chinese faculty and students, Pakistanis, if found, are in miniscule numbers.
Every year, Indians are granted 167,000+ US student visas, Chinese are receiving 317,000+ US student visas, and Pakistanis are nowhere to be found among the top 20 countries who send their students for intellectual capital development. During the past seven decades Chinese and Indians have invested heavily in increasing their intellectual capital. And today China has emerged as the second largest economy of the world and India has moved into the group of G-20 countries. Unfortunately in Pakistan successive governments — represented by corrupt ruling elite— have failed to invest in education; as a result Pakistan — with a literacy rate of 54.9% (2021) stands among the countries with the lowest-ranked education systems.
Quaid-i-Azam’s Vision of Education: Selected Quotations (1910-1948) edited by Dr Shehla Kazmi (acting director Quaid-i-Azam Academy, Karachi, 2007) is a compilation of Quaid-i-Azam’s statements, speeches and communications viz a viz importance of education. The editor has organized more than 160 quotations in eight chapters: Islamic Teachings, Education: Views and Plans, Advice to the Students, Students and Politics, Muslim League and Education, Views about Congress, Women and Education, and Miscellaneous topics about education.
In the introduction, the editor, expounding about Quaid’s views on the importance of education, observes: “Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah (1876-1948) was the founder of Pakistan. He was fully aware of the importance of education in the construction and betterment of a society. After the arrival of the British in India, the map of education was entirely changed. In the circumstances, it was not beneficial for Muslims to avoid modern education. The Quaid advised Indians, especially the Muslims to concentrate first on their education. His interest in the education of Muslims can be judged by the fact that he had bequeathed a considerable sum of his money to five educational institutions through his will in 1939. They were mostly Muslims, namely: Aligarh Muslim University, Sindh Madrasatul Islam Karachi, Islamia College Peshawar, Arabic College Delhi and Bombay University. The Quaid presented his demand to the British Indian Government to make the Indian educational system according to the requirements of the Indians, especially the Muslims. He gave much attention to the education of Indian Muslims not only in united India but also in Pakistan. The Quaid considered the Qur’an as the general code of Muslims that regulates everything in life. He was of the view that Muslims should seek guidance and enlightenment from the Qur’an. From the start of his political career, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah rose to support education of the Indians from the grassroots. He put pressure upon the British Indian Government to make elementary and primary education free and compulsory for Indians with special emphasis to protect Muslims' interest. It is heartening to note that the vision of the Quaid to make primary education free and compulsory is now being fulfilled in Pakistan after a long time.”
Discussing Quaid-i-Azam’s emphasis and advocacy about the importance of higher education for Indians during the British Raj, the editor states: “He was much worried about the type of education imparted to the Indians, especially the Muslims. He was of the view that the students must take technical and scientific education besides general education of B.A. and M.A... It appears that Quaid-i-Azam was well aware of the importance of Science and Technology, and he wanted to educate Muslims in all areas of studies, enabling them to face the future…”
The editor observes that the Quaid-i-Azam loved students very much, and he attended their functions, addressed their meetings many times and also gave them a number of good pieces of advice. He considered them a vital part of the society whose better training and education could ensure the development of the State and society. Moreover, he considered that the participation of Muslim students in the Pakistan Movement was in special circumstances. However, he did not advise students to take part in politics while they pursue their studies. But, at the same time he advised them to keep themselves abreast of national and international political affairs. The Quaid paid special emphasis on the need for women to get educated; in this regard the editor states: “He thought that no struggle succeeded without women, ever participating side by side with the men. Hence, he gave equal importance to men and women in the development of a Nation and State. It is crystal clear from the speeches and thoughts of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah that he was not satisfied with the educational system of British India. He wanted to create a new structure of education responsive to the religious, socio-culture and economic needs of Muslims not only in British India but also in Pakistan.” This is evident by the following sampling of Quaid’s quotes:
Jinnah's will and Education : I direct my executors to pay the following by way of gifts to the institutions mentioned:
A. I bequeath Rs. 25,000/- (Twenty-five thousand) to the Anjuman-i-Islam School, Bombay, situated at Homby Rd., opposite Boribunder Station, and next to the Times India Buildings.
B. I bequeath Rs. 50,000/- (Fifty thousand) to the University of Bombay.
C. I bequeath Rs. 25,000/- (Twenty-five thousand) to the Arabic College, Delhi.
Subject to above, all my residuary estate including the Corpus that may fall after the laps of life in interests or otherwise, to be divided into three parts and I bequeath one part to Aligarh University, one part to Islamia College, Peshawar, and one part to Sindh Mudressa, of Karachi [Will of Mr Jinnah dated 30 May 1939].
Islamic Teachings: “Islam unites Muslims. I say to every Musalman that Islam expects you, one and all, to do your duty and stand by your people as one nation” [28 September 1939, Address to Old Boys Association of the Usmania University, Hyderabad].
Find guidance from [the] Holy Qur’an: You have asked me to give you a message. What message can I give you? We have got the greatest message in the Qur’an for our guidance and enlightenment. All that we have got to do is to know ourselves and the great qualities, virtues and powers that we possessed. Let us work up to that great ideal. Let us utilize our great potentialities in the right direction. Let us forego our personal interests and convenience for the collective good of our people and for a higher and nobler cause[4 April 1943, Message to the MSF, NWFP].
Islam is our Guide: We do not want any flag excepting the League of Crescent and Star. Islam is our guide and a complete code for our life. We don't want any red or yellow flag. We don't want any isms, socialism, communism or National Socialism. All this was received with loud cheers from the Muslim students [19 March 1944, Speech at the Annual Conference of PMSF, Lahore].
Study of World Affair Essential: My young friends I am very happy to meet you. I have never called upon the young students to take active part in politics. You should devote yourselves to studies. But it does not mean becoming a bookworm. Your studies should make you aware of the happenings around the world. I hope that in my second visit to this institution, I shall find it upgraded to a degree college; the present Government College is neither here nor there [6 July 1943, Speech at Intermediate College, Quetta].
Without Education, Darkness: The Muslim League had not only awakened the Musalmans politically but had organized them economically as well as educationally too because without money there is starvation and without education darkness. The Muslim League Planning Committee was at work and was making useful schemes [25 November 1945, Speech at a meeting of Frontier Students Federation, Peshawar]
Education and Pakistan Govt.: Mr Jinnah, it is understood, agreed that there was an imperative need for such a university. (Muslim University in Eastern Pakistan). "Education", he said, "will be one of the first problems that the Pakistan Government will be called upon to deal with when it is established, to be followed by economic and social reforms” … [23 February 1946, Interview to Mr Mr. I.H. Zuberi, Principal Islamia College, Calcutta].
Educate Children in Balochistan: In a meeting with Nawab Muhammad Khan (Balochistan Member of Constituent Assembly), Mr Jinnah advised him that the people of Baluchistan should educate their children and give them training in business [21 January 1947, Interview, Nawab Muhammad Khan Jogzai].
Education and Govt. of Pakistan: Mr Jinnah called upon the Minister for Education in Sind to launch a determined drive towards literacy in the Province saying that Sind was most backward educationally. The Sind Ministry has been installed in office with a definite program and education is one of the foremost items in that program [12 December 1947, Reply to a welcome address on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the Sind Madrassah Girls High School by his sister Ms. Fatima Jinnah].
State Language of Pakistan : You fortunately leave this University to enter life under a sovereign, independent State of your own.... it is necessary for us to work as a united and disciplined nation…. I must warn you to beware of these fifth columnists. Let me restate my views on the question of a State language for Pakistan. For official use in this province, the people of the province can choose any language they wish. There can, however, be only one lingua franca, that is, the language for inter-communication between the various provinces of the State, and that language should be Urdu, and cannot be any other. The state language, therefore, must obviously be Urdu, a language that has been nurtured by a hundred million Muslims of this subcontinent... Make no mistake about it. There can be only one State language, if the component part[s] of this State are to march forward in unison, and that language, in my opinion, can only be Urdu [24 March 1948, Speech at the Dhaka University Convocation, Dhaka].
Work for Education : You should struggle very hard for the sake of education. Education is light and ignorance is darkness. You need education badly. You should organize a party ... that party should work for your education and the betterment of your economic position. It should also help you in trade and industry [25 June 1943, Address to a waiting crowd at Bellpat Railway Station on his way to Quetta].
Knowledge is Greater Than Sword: Referring to the sword presented to him Mr Jinnah said: It will rise only in defense. But for the present the most important thing is education. Knowledge is a greater force than a sword. Go and acquire it... A part of your education is to study the current events, the forces and the movements in India of All-India Muslim League, your national organization [4 July 1943, Speech at the Balochistan Provincial Muslim League Session at Islamia High School, Quetta].
Students are Makers of Pakistan: We are a free, independent and sovereign state. Let us behave and regulate our affairs as free men. I look forward to you as the real makers of Pakistan, do not be exploited and do not be misled. Create amongst yourselves complete unity and solidarity. Set an example of what youth can do. Your main occupation should be — to devote your attention to your studies.... After you leave the portals of your universities and colleges then you can play your part freely; and help yourself and the State [21 March 1948, Speech at a public meeting, Dhaka].
Women are Teachers and Guides: I have always maintained that no nation can ever be worthy of its existence that cannot take with them their women. No struggle can ever succeed without women ever participating side by side with men. There are two powers in the world. One is represented by the sword and the other by the pen. There is a great competition and rivalry between the two. There is a third power stronger than both. That is the woman. It is woman and woman alone who can teach man how and when to use the sword or pen when the occasion arises [25 March 1940, Address to the students of Jinnah Islamia College for Women].
Women's Education Essential: I am glad to see that not only Muslim men, but Muslim women and children also have understood the Pakistan scheme. No nation can make any progress without the cooperation of its women. If Muslim women support their men, as they did in the days of the Prophet of Islam, we should soon realize our goal. Referring to Jinnah College, Mr Jinnah said that he was very pleased to hear the report read by Fatima Begum, Principal of the College [22 November 1942, Speech at Jinnah Islamia College for Girls, Lahore].
No National Progress Without Women: 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. I do not mean that we should imitate the evils of the Western life but let us try to raise the status of our women according to our own Islamic ideals and standards" [10 March 1944, Address to a meeting of Muslim University Muslim League, Aligarh].
Women and Right Type of Education: Mr Jinnah said that he was really gratified to learn that the right type of education was being given to Muslim girls. He said that many impurities and un-Islamic things had crept into the Muslim society, and it was the task of Muslim educational institutions to educate their children on right lines with a view to enabling them to live the Islamic life [17 March 1944, Speech at the meeting of Islamia College for Women, Lahore].
Man and Woman should go togethe r: It was the duty of every Muslim woman to help in the struggle for the achievement of Pakistan. "There was a new life today stirring among Muslim women," added Mr Jinnah. "No nation on earth could make any progress without the active help of its womenfolk. They might be inside the Pardah. But the League's clarion call had penetrated inside it and brought a message of hope and cheer to Muslim women..." [25 February 1946, Speech at a meeting of Muslim women, Calcutta].
Women’s Education and Future Generation: Women's education is very necessary, otherwise the future generation, which depends on women for its upbringing, will remain ignorant. Men alone cannot achieve anything, but together a lot can be done. March forward along with men to solve the important issues of our national life [12 July 1946, Address to Muslim Ladies of Hyderabad Deccan].
Women and Character Building: In the great task of building the nation and maintaining its solidarity women have a most valuable part to play as the prime architects of the character of the youth that constitutes its backbone, not merely in their own homes but by helping their less fortunate sisters outside in that great task [28 March 1948 Broadcast Speech from Radio Pakistan Dhaka].
Quaid-i-Azam’s Vision of Education: Selected Quotations (1910-1948) is a historical and important document that reveals the Quaid’s insights on education; students, educators, historians and general readers will find it an interesting read and a valuable reference.
(Dr Ahmed S. Khan - dr.a.s.khan@ieee.org - is a Fulbright Specialist Scholar.
