In Pakistan, its founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah envisioned a nation where men and women worked alongside each other in public life. Jinnah’s relationship with his sister Fatima Jinnah was the manifestation of that vision – if a nation ever needed a worked example to follow, we have one in the Madr e Millat – Fatima Jinnah.
The question is: Does our vision and Jinnah’s align over the years? Or are there deep discords in the two core values; ours and Jinnah’s – traversing over 70 years of a nation’s life? Have our values morphed into something that looks nothing like Jinnah’s Pakistan, or, do we still have it in us to undertake his vision and mission and revisit his philosophy?
Perhaps Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s birthday would be a good place to begin. Perhaps in examining the relationship he shared with his closest female ally, his sister Fatima Jinnah, we might uncover the true nature of his ethos – women and their power in this world.
“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 great competition and rivalry between the two. There is a third power stronger than both, that of the women.”
Muhammad Ali Jinnah
It is no surprise to anyone, (and our textbooks spill over with Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s quotes, the founding father of Pakistan), that Jinnah envisioned a nation where men and women stood shoulder to shoulder in the pursuit of progress and prosperity. This vision, articulated through his actions and advocacy, transcended mere political rhetoric, paving the way for a more inclusive Pakistan.
Jinnah’s Pakistan vs Present Day Pakistan
But did you know, in the contemporary context, Pakistan ranks 142 out of 146 countries in the World Economic Forum’s global gender gap report? Hence, it is crucial to revisit Jinnah’s commitment to gender equality and the active role he envisioned for women in shaping the nation’s destiny.
Fatima Jinnah – Not Just A Shadow, But A Force To be Reckoned With
At the heart of Jinnah’s vision lay the partnership he crafted with his sister, Fatima Jinnah, throughout his political journey. Contrary to the conventional notion of women standing behind men, Fatima Jinnah stood shoulder to shoulder with her brother, embodying Jinnah’s relentless commitment to integrating women into the mainstream. Despite prevailing societal taboos, Jinnah’s steadfast encouragement of Fatima Jinnah’s pursuit of higher education served as a testament to his dedication to nurturing independence and self-reliance in women.
Fatima Jinnah’s educational odyssey included milestones at Bandhara Convent School in Maharashtra, St. Patrick School in Khandala, and ultimately, Dr. Ahmad Dental College in Calcutta. Throughout this journey, she defied societal norms by residing in various hostels—a practice deemed taboo at the time. Paradoxically, this very taboo became the crucible for her independence, endowing her with the self-reliance that Jinnah envisioned for every woman.
In walking alongside his sister at every public and political engagement, Jinnah gave Fatima Jinnah the tools to stand tall even when he was no longer present by her side. That is the legacy of a founder; to leave behind a vision and direction that others may follow.
It is imperative to highlight that Fatima Jinnah not only ran her dental practice but also emerged as a fervent advocate for women’s autonomy.
Political Tours – Women Take Their Rightful Place In Politics
One of the most profound expressions of Jinnah’s commitment to gender equality was his decision to take Fatima Jinnah on a tour of NWFP and Balochistan during his political campaign. This act challenged conservative norms, as the sight of a woman openly accompanying and supporting a man was uncommon in those times. However, Jinnah’s message was clear – women were to work alongside men, breaking barriers and reshaping societal expectations, a move that spoke volumes about his commitment to the idea of women working alongside men.
This tour was to serve as a training ground for what came later, after Jinnah’s passing, when Fatima Jinnah returned to politics in the 1960’s, and one landmark occasion blurs all others; her historical and well-documented train journey from Dhaka to Chittagong. Her train, called the Freedom Special, was 22 hours late because men at each station pulled the emergency cord, and begged her to speak. The crowds hailed her as Madar-e-Millat, (Mother of the Nation).
Raised Eyebrows? Challenging Western Norms At The Time
Fatima Jinnah’s rise and rise in the male-dominated corridors of political life were often met with raised eyebrows and hushed whispers in conservative gatherings. Yet, Jinnah was adamant – he didn’t want the powerful message of gender equality to be drowned out. As Yahya Bakhtiar, an Attorney-General from Balochistan, later recalled, not even British male politicians encouraged their womenfolk to take a public role as Jinnah did.
Jinnah’s Actions Continued To Speak Volumes – Bridging the Gender Gap In Public Life
The resonance of Jinnah’s vision doesn’t end there. After the creation of Pakistan, he asked Fatima Jinnah to sit beside him on the stage at the Sibi Darbar – a grand annual gathering of Baluch and Pukhtun chiefs and leaders. In that poignant moment, he was making a powerful statement: Muslim women must take their rightful place, side by side with men in history!
Furthermore, Fatima Jinnah showed unmatched courage at the time to stand for democracy, pushing the Quaid’s values until she died. She was carrying forward the legacy of a brother who envisioned a Pakistan where the voice of every citizen, regardless of gender, resonated with courage and determination.
In hindsight, if we were to look back at Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s legacy, perhaps, the right place to start would be to take a closer look at the female relationships in his life. Jinnah wasn’t just a great orator, a political magician and a man of his word, he walked the talk and made sure that the quotes we know him by today, were closely linked to the relationships he nurtured in his life – Fatima Jinnah being the most outstanding of them all!
The relationships Muhammad Ali Jinnah shared with women convey a subtle yet powerful message that resonates even today. The upcoming series Fatima Jinnah delves into these intricate connections, revealing how the dynamics of Jinnah’s personal life still hold messages of inspiration and empowerment for women.
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, and Usman Mukhtar, 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.
