Jinnah: Truly Inspirational!

By Ali Waheed, New York

Khalid Hasan’s “Jinnah on Trial” in Pakistan Link in the November 3 issue is a review of the film Jinnah, the film we have all been waiting for many, many years. The film is a splendid effort. It gives Pakistanis a feeling of pride. Khalid Hasan who was present at the “Jinnah” showing comments: “It was also after a long time that one was present on an occasion where Pakistan’s name was not taken in the same breath as terrorism, fundamentalism and drug trafficking. If one should be grateful for small mercies then here was one occasion when one could do so”.

After seeing the movie I learnt that besides this film, Akbar Ahmed has also worked strenuously on similar other projects. His book “Jinnah, Pakistan and Islamic Identity” is an insightful study not only on the Pakistan of 1947 but a review of events leading to the present times and is a must for all Pakistanis. I also had the pleasure of seeing his documentary “Mr. Jinnah: The Making of Pakistan”. For me the movies had a singular effect. They helped me in rediscovering Pakistan and Islam. I found answers to questions which had hitherto remained unanswered. There is also his graphic novel/comic book on the Quaid. Together they make one monumental work, the first ever of its kind, providing analysis, direction and above all, pride to Pakistanis and explaining why Pakistan was created.

Should not Khalid Hasan and his like follow some of the above, duly appreciate and read them? Self-destruction may have become our motto, as it is easy. Construction, on the other hand, is difficult and painstaking and few of us endeavor to attemp it. Unfortunately, we find it easy to adopt the destructive and negative attitude.

When explaining the Quranic message to seek knowledge the holy Prophet of Islam told the Muslims that the ink that a student uses at night is dearer to God than hundreds of years of worship and prayer. It is time not only for the Muslims of our time to take this advice as the guiding motif of all their present and future planning but to respect and appreciate men who have not only sought knowledge but explained and documented it for us.

We are indeed lucky to have people like Akbar Ahmed who hold up the flag of knowledge. We need shakers and doers and Akbar Ahmed has not only adequately fulfilled that role but has delivered too in such difficult times.