Abdul Sattar Edhi is a name that needs no introduction. His 5th death Anniversary is being observed today and he is still remembered as a human who was so full of humanity. He was born on 28th February 1928, in the area of Gujrat, and left this world on 8th July 2016.
He started his service for humanity in 1951. He started one of the most phenomenal volunteer ambulance system of the world. In addition to that he established shelter homes for homeless people.
Abandoned children had one place they could call home, The Edhi Shelter Home. He was a parent to many and a saviour of many souls. He himself led an extremely simple life and adopted an ascetic lifestyle, his only purpose in life was to serve the people, irrespective of their social, economic, ethnic or cultural background.
In the course of his life he was honoured with awards like Lenin Peace Prize, Asian Nobel and Nishan-e-Imtiaz. His services were not just restricted to Pakistan, Edhi foundation has been involved in relief social works in other countries as well including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Iran, Lebanon, Croatia, Indonesia, and even USA.
Unfortunately, a person as selfless as Edhi was not safe from controversies. One of the religious cleric refused to lead his funeral prayer because according to him Abdul Sattar Edhi did not fall into the fold of Islam. Another authoritative agency declared Edhi’s decision of donating his corneas after he dies, anti-islam. He on the other hand was making sure that even his dead body will serve humanity, once he dies. His cradle scheme was also criticised back then, on the grounds of adoption mechanism in Islam.
People like Abdul Sattar Edhi are rare, but as a nation Pakistanis failed to value him as he should have been valued. Criticism has become a tradition of the society. Criticising people while they are alive, and then writing them memorials on their death anniversaries is more of a custom.
His contribution to the human society can never be forgotten. And people like him always remain alive.
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