After migration to Medina, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) drafted the Medina Pact to set up a kind of alliance or federation among the eight Medina tribes and Muslim emigrants from Makkah, which specified the rights and duties of all the citizens and the relationship of various communities. As a result, Medina came into existence as a role model Islamic state of the world.
This was stated by Prof Dr Ali Asghar Chishti, dean, Faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies, at a function held at the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU). The function was arranged by the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, AIOU, under the title ‘Concept of the Islamic State and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.’ Prof Dr Riaz Ahmad, a renowned scholar, was the guest speaker.
All academicians, officers and employees of the university attended the function. Dr Chishti said that celebration of the birthday anniversary of the Quaid reminded about his historic struggle for a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent, where every citizen could live according to his faith and dignity. He added the Quaid desired that every citizen should have equal opportunities of education, health, progress and justice.
In his address, Prof Dr Riaz Ahmed said Quaid-e-Azam was neither secular nor theocratic; he wanted to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state with the help of his golden principles—Unity, Faith and Discipline. In his address, Quaid said, “I was born a Muslim, I am a Muslim and shall die as a Muslim,” Prof Riaz quoted. Quaid made it clear through his speeches that he wanted Pakistan to be an Islamic state where the rule of the holy Quran was to be enforced and where there was no room for secularism. He said Quaid also desired that every citizen should have equal opportunities of education, health, progress and justice.
Dr Riaz said that a befitting way to pay tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was to forge unity and work hard for the progress and prosperity of the country. He added that Quaid-e-Azam wanted to see Pakistan a role model for other nations, fee from corruption, discrimination and insincerity. “Dr Riaz further quoted Quaid as saying: “Pakistan was proud of its youth, particularly students, who were nation builders of tomorrow; they must fully equip themselves with discipline, education, and training for the difficult task lying ahead of them.”
Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof Dr Abdul Hafiz, chairman, Department of History, Dr Samina Awan and Abdul Basit Mujahid also spoke.
