PinkyGul Heroines
Fatima Jinnah, the sister of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, was perhaps the biggest supporter of her brother’s search for an independent Muslim state in India. She was also a leader in the Pakistani independence movement in her own right. After her brother’s early death from cancer, Fatima Jinnah at least partly took his place as a leader for a conservative, Muslim Pakistan. In 1964, she challenged former general Ayub Khan for the presidency of the country, Although she lost the election and died only three years later, she maintained the loyalty and love of much of the population. “Whenever Pakistan faced a political crisis,” writes Atique Zafar Sheikh, director general of the National Archives of Pakistan, “Fatima Jinnah stood with the people. She always boldly and courageously challenged every action against people, democracy, and Islamic ideology. The people of Pakistan had great faith in her.”
When Muhammad Ali Jinnah entered politics in 1936 with the express aim of establishing an independent homeland for Indian Muslims, she supported and campaigned to spread his ideas. Her efforts won her a place as a delegate to the Bombay Provincial Muslim League Council in March 1947, a time when independence for all Indians was becoming more and more of a reality. Jinnah recognized the important role his sister played in helping him create his independent Muslim state, noting, “In the days when I was expecting to be taken as a prisoner by the British Government, it was my sister who encouraged me, and said hopeful things when revolution was staring me in the face. Her constant care is about my health.”
When the All India Muslim League was being organized, Fatima Jinnah became the member of the working Committee of Bombay Provincial Muslim League and worked there until 1947. In March 1940 she attended the Lahore resolution of the Muslims League. It was because of her that All India Muslim Student Federation was organized in February 1941 at Dehli. During the transfer of power Fatima Jinnah formed a women’s relief committee, a foundation for the All Pakistan Women’s Association.
The speech she delivered in 1951 on the third anniversary of her brother’s death demonstrates the ways in which she tried to rally support and press for unity between Pakistanis. She reminded the nation of Pakistan that “the problems crying for solution” at the time of her brother’s death were still awaiting solution. Besides the Kashmir problem, there was the question of refugees, on which she declared:
“It should not be forgotten that it is a human problem, and we cannot allow the vast mass of humanity to remain in … misery for a long length of time. Let me remind you of the purpose for which Pakistan was established. It was … that Muslims may be enabled to lead an independent, honourable and free life according to their own concept of civilization, culture, education and economy. Freedom must be a reality for every individual and he should be able to live in an atmosphere where he can enjoy a peaceful and independent life”.
She died in Karachi on 9 July 1967, having left a lasting imprint in the hearts and minds of ordinary Pakistanis.
PinkyGul Heroines
Fatima Jinnah, the sister of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, was perhaps the biggest supporter of her brother’s search for an independent Muslim state in India. She was also a leader in the Pakistani independence movement in her own right. After her brother’s early death from cancer, Fatima Jinnah at least partly took his place as a leader for a conservative, Muslim Pakistan. In 1964, she challenged former general Ayub Khan for the presidency of the country, Although she lost the election and died only three years later, she maintained the loyalty and love of much of the population. “Whenever Pakistan faced a political crisis,” writes Atique Zafar Sheikh, director general of the National Archives of Pakistan, “Fatima Jinnah stood with the people. She always boldly and courageously challenged every action against people, democracy, and Islamic ideology. The people of Pakistan had great faith in her.”
When Muhammad Ali Jinnah entered politics in 1936 with the express aim of establishing an independent homeland for Indian Muslims, she supported and campaigned to spread his ideas. Her efforts won her a place as a delegate to the Bombay Provincial Muslim League Council in March 1947, a time when independence for all Indians was becoming more and more of a reality. Jinnah recognized the important role his sister played in helping him create his independent Muslim state, noting, “In the days when I was expecting to be taken as a prisoner by the British Government, it was my sister who encouraged me, and said hopeful things when revolution was staring me in the face. Her constant care is about my health.”
When the All India Muslim League was being organized, Fatima Jinnah became the member of the working Committee of Bombay Provincial Muslim League and worked there until 1947. In March 1940 she attended the Lahore resolution of the Muslims League. It was because of her that All India Muslim Student Federation was organized in February 1941 at Dehli. During the transfer of power Fatima Jinnah formed a women’s relief committee, a foundation for the All Pakistan Women’s Association.
The speech she delivered in 1951 on the third anniversary of her brother’s death demonstrates the ways in which she tried to rally support and press for unity between Pakistanis. She reminded the nation of Pakistan that “the problems crying for solution” at the time of her brother’s death were still awaiting solution. Besides the Kashmir problem, there was the question of refugees, on which she declared:
“It should not be forgotten that it is a human problem, and we cannot allow the vast mass of humanity to remain in … misery for a long length of time. Let me remind you of the purpose for which Pakistan was established. It was … that Muslims may be enabled to lead an independent, honourable and free life according to their own concept of civilization, culture, education and economy. Freedom must be a reality for every individual and he should be able to live in an atmosphere where he can enjoy a peaceful and independent life”.
She died in Karachi on 9 July 1967, having left a lasting imprint in the hearts and minds of ordinary Pakistanis.