When beggars die, there are no comets seen, the heavens themselves blaze forth the death (and birth) of princes” – William Shakespeare rewritten
July is the month of Fatima Jinnah. July is the month she left us, and July is also the month she set foot into our world – a leader who ruled hearts and should have, perhaps, governed the nation too. But because the task was never done, because her dream was left incomplete, halfway, as if a batter couldn’t complete his century because the captain declared the innings, not because he was run out, [which would have been completely fair and we would have been allowed to close the chapter on her life, with less of a sense of incompleteness, half-done-ess, just like Anwar Maqsood’s paunay chaudha August], it is perhaps incumbent upon us to pick up the remnants of a legacy that refuses to “rest in peace” and why should it. She lives on, despite multiple attempts to silence a presence that is as resilient in death as it was in life. And here’s why:
In the struggle for Pakistan’s independence, one name stands out as a symbol of resilience and vision: Fatima Jinnah. Known as the “Mother of the Nation,” she was a force of nature, steadfast in her commitment to democracy and justice.
Fatima Jinnah: We Won The Nation, But Did We Lose The Leader?
Women leaders like Fatima Jinnah often come along rarely in a country whose chequered history desperately seeks heroes. A nation might provide a safe haven for a people. Still, it is the leaders who deliver the writ of that nation, ensuring that the spirit that marked the birth and death of thousands of lives pre and post-1947, isn’t lost between the pages of a tattered, jaded history book, but lives on in the heart and soul of the nation.
Over the years, Pakistan has been governed by many leaders, statesmen, military dictators, democratic leaders, and those who sought to become democratic leaders. None seems to have fully absorbed the life lessons, vision, and resilience of a woman who changed the course of history. This is not an exaggerated statement. Consider this:
Fatima Jinnah, the Dental Surgeon Turned People’s Leader
In a nation where Muslim women actively worked for social welfare, participated in political debate, or engaged in charitable work to help channel the dawn of a women’s movement, Fatima Jinnah, a dental surgeon by profession, convent-educated and politically astute, by merely accompanying her brother Jinnah to political rallies and meetings, decided to step out of the shadows and into the political limelight.
She contested the 1965 Presidential elections, in a climate when a woman could be the supporting pillar of nation building, but not the builder herself. But Fatima Jinnah decided to play it differently.
Her wins?
That a woman could finally contest as the head of an Islamic state – a fatwa from Maulana Abul Ala Maududi, the Jamaat-i-Islami chief at the time, settled the debate – a personal step for a woman aspiring to lead a nation, but a giant leap for women all over Pakistan. This historic fatwa turned a controversial issue into a non-debate as, going forward, Benazir Bhutto was elected Prime Minister on 2 December 1988.
Fatima Jinnah’s candidature represents a landmark decision towards empowering Pakistani women to take on political and public life without fear of being side-lined from decision-making roles.
United We Stand, Divided We Fall: Lessons From East Pakistan
Fatima Jinnah accomplished what no leader was capable of in Pakistan – winning electoral seats in both West Pakistan and East Pakistan, demonstrating her ability to unite the masses, independent of race, culture, language, ethnicity – isn’t this what we strive to achieve as a nation? But paying lip service to the motto was not her thing. Faith, Unity Discipline for Fatima Jinnah meant walking the talk, and she had apparently understood the assignment – her vote bank nodded with a resounding “yay” in 1965!
In the 1965’s election campaign, Fatima Jinnah mobilized the masses of both East and West Pakistan to emotionally charged moments of sheer joy and hope as cheering crowds in all cities of the then East and West Pakistan lined her campaigning route. Nearly 250,000 people turned out to see her in Dhaka, and a million lined the 293 mile route from Dhaka to Chittagong. Her train, called the Freedom Special, was over 20 hours late because men at each station pulled the emergency cord, and implored her to address them in person, hailing her as the “mother of the nation”.
It was perhaps a fantastically momentous moment in history where a woman leader commanded mass crowds, uniting a diverse population that translated into electoral power in a nation that was marvellously balanced to take on the 21st century. In essence, Fatima Jinnah, a woman, a leader, a uniting force at the helm of an Islamic nation’s governance was a dream too sublime to come true…
And it didn’t.
Did we lose the soul of our nation on July 9th 1967? Did we lose a leader who could have turned the tide of history?
The Only Leader Who Could Have Taken The Quaid’s Message Forward
Fatima Jinnah was one of the last remaining figureheads of the independence movement and the only one who truly understood her brother, Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision for Pakistan. The bond between brother and sister was so close, more like a father-daughter bond as 17 years divided the two of them. It was Jinnah who facilitated Fatima’s journey. Fatima was just 8 when their father died, and Jinnah, in his early 20s, assumed guardianship. Her school and college education and subsequent dental practice was overseen by Jinnah as well.
It was Fatima Jinnah who accompanied her brother to political rallies and meetings, witnessed him engage in political dialogue, and was perhaps, the one confidante he kept closest to his heart. It was Fatima Jinnah who had no vested interest in leading a country except to continue the work of its founder. Her life was a living tribute to the principles of Jinnah; from ensuring she received the best education at a time when few Muslim women dreamed of a Convent education, to living in a hostel at the dental college and subsequently, opening a dental clinic. But her education did not stop her from serving those who needed her services and she gravitated towards social work, working on a volunteer basis simultaneously at the nearby Dhobi Talau Municipal Clinic.
Aren’t these the guiding principles that mark the teachings of our founder?
Fatima Jinnah possessed a unique ability to connect with the masses, holding their trust and respect. Her literacy and intellect were among her greatest assets, making her the leader Pakistan desperately needed after the Quaid’s demise. Tragically, Fatima Jinnah’s passing is shrouded in mystery as is the passing of many other leaders of our country.
Her funeral procession was a moment of utmost grief for a nation that truly battled with raw emotions as it laid to rest, a tireless stateswoman, a sister, a companion, a social worker, a politician and last but not the least, a true leader who might not have received the title of President or Prime Minister in Pakistan, but whose life is a case study on how it should be done.
At a time in history, when nations seek a leader, a hero, a trailblazer, across the world, perhaps, Fatima Jinnah stands out as a lone warrior in a political landscape that bears no resemblance to her vision. It is perhaps unfair to always give credence to her political success by attributing it to Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Fatima Jinnah was a formidable force on her own, her voice echoing the emotions of a nation who is resilient, passionate and whose women and men have always stood against dictatorship, despite encountering countless challenges and modes of governance.
So although we question if we have, in essence, lost the leader, despite winning the nation, Fatima Jinnah decidedly lives on in the spirit of the Pakistani people… in the social work, the guiding principles, the spirit of charity we share as a nation – in every school, hospital and social enterprise erected with a vision to overcoming illiteracy, poor healthcare and empower the people.
Let that be her legacy.
One that no one can take away from her, not even the coffin a crowd of over 600,000 bid farewell to in 1967. She lives on in the hearts of the people, the ones she captured on a railroad lined with cheering crowds in 1960’s, all the way from Dhaka to Chittagong.
Can you find it in your heart to beat that?
The forthcoming web series, “Fatima Jinnah,” set to debut in 2024, aims to cast a somber & “not yet seen before” light on the profound journey of a woman who transformed from being a mere sister into an indomitable revolutionary, ultimately rising to the stature of a distinguished stateswoman.
In this highly anticipated series, viewers will witness the pioneering spirit of Fatima Jinnah, breaking barriers, challenging norms, and paving the way for future generations. From her early struggles to her trailblazing leadership, the series promises to encapsulate the essence of Fatima Jinnah’s legacy, offering a compelling portrayal of her enduring impact on society and her timeless relevance in today’s world.
The series, Fatima Jinnah, a creative venture from Aur Digital, is set to air on TV screens in August 2024.
Featuring a stellar cast including Sundas Farhan, Amna Ilyas, Kubra Khan, Aamir Qureshi, Shehrzade Noor Peerzada, Mamya Shahjaffer, Saad Qureshi, Samina Ahmed, Manzar Sehbai, Omer Abdullah Khan, Komal Jamil, Shamim Hilaly, Mohammed Ehteshamuddin, Sarmad Khoosat, Usman Mukhtar and Samar Abbas Jafri, created by Danial K. Afzal, this production is brought to life by Executive Producer Moazzam Majeed. The soundtrack, creatively conceived by Sana Ejaz and Danial K. Afzal, is complemented by Director of Photography Salman Aslam’s vision. With Lead Art Director Reza Shah, Line Producer Rumaan Afsar, and music by Shehreyar Khan.
