HE was young when he arrived in Pakistan in 1946 and since then the story of serving humanity has been going on. Always clad in simple attire, wearing an innocent smile on his face and ready to listen to every cry wherever it is, Abdul Sattar Edhi has always turned out to be as simple as he can.
“I have always liked simplicity and never liked fashion,” says he with his usual Gujarati accent. The founder of an organization which is as old as Pakistan itself, Edhi doesn’t need to blow his own trumpet as it is evident from his entire career.
As far as movies are concerned, a discussion with Edhi sahab starts and finishes with the very next moment. “I have never liked watching movies in my entire life,” says he. But why? And he comes up with the ‘no special reason for this’ answer. However, on being asked that what would he advise to the new generation about watching movies he says that the youth should watch good stuff that could help them understand the problems of mankind and serve humanity.
“They can watch movies, but to me they should not immitate what they see in movies. You can notice nowadays the young generation wearing what they see in movies and resembling famous actors and actresses. You see we cannot adapt Indian, American or any one’s culture and customs; we have our own eastern culture which is perfect for us,” says he. Being a well known humanitarian does he think that movies can play an important role in promoting the work of serving humanity? “Movies and the electronic media can play a very important role in creating awareness in masses regarding social work and it can also help people understand different issues and serious matters faced by individuals or people in general,” he opines. But are movies nowadays upto the job in this regard? “Since I don’t watch movies I can’t put any reservations for this matter, but I have not myself heard of a single movie that has served humanity on a very high note.”
Truth, importance of time and awareness are the things Edhi sahab says should be promoted nowadays via movies and the electronic media. It’s very simple to guess what a person like Abdul Sattar Edhi would admire in music. “I sometimes listen to classical music, be it Indian or Pakistani, and I like it very much. But I don’t remember the songs and that is why I don’t have any particular number in my mind which I could say is my most favourite.” However, he did confess to liking Noor Jehan’s Dukha nahi dil and recalls this as his favourite tune. “This is the number I can instantly remember, but overall in classical music I like Noor Jehan’s songs. She is a great name of Pakistan,” says Edhi sahab. While as far as Indian music is concerned he names Lata as his favourite. “Lata’s old songs are very pleasing because of their simplicity,” he says. According to Abdul Sattar Edhi he never concentrates on music, but likes the singer’s voice and that is why it is difficult for him to remember the songs he listens to. On the other hand, on being asked whether he is interested in spiritual music Edhi sahab says he likes listening to qawwali. “I sometimes listen to qawwali as well. And in qawwali I prefer listening to Ghulam Farid’s compositions. I find him different from other Pakistani qawwals.”
In addition he also listens to Arabic music. “I like listening to Arabic music which is actually sung by some Egyptian singers.” Does he remember any particular name? “Well I don’t remember their names but the music really pleases me because of its typical Arabic composition,” says he.
No doubt Abdul Sattar Edhi is one of those revolutionists in the world who have brought about a great change in their respective fields. So in books, he applies the same genre. Edhi sahab says, “I like to read revolutionary works and works of those people who have brought about major changes in society and achieved their goals.”
Edhi sahab always reads in Gujarati and this is evident when he confesses, “I can’t read Urdu and that is why I read books in Gujarati, which is easier for me”. But who is his most favourite author? “I like Karl Marx’s works and my most favourite book of his is Das Kapital. I got a translated version of the book which I really admire,” says he. Besides Karl Marx, Abdul Sattar Edhi says that he likes reading works of Lenin and Stalin. “I always like reading works based on truth. And it really helps one achieve his goals. Besides I also like reading everything which gives me new ideas to expand my work and serve humanity on an even better note,” explains Edhi sahab. He also likes reading works of Abu Zar Gaffari... “because I like historical events, especially Islamic ones. And my most favourite in this regard is the event of Karbala.”
Since it’s his duty to listen to millions of cries, it’s in his nature that he likes reading works that are against excesses. “Writings that are based on combating excesses and finding out relief for oppressed ones really inspire me a lot,” he says.
Besides serving the masses, Edhi has contributed to serving people through words also. So, Edhi sahab has written and launched his very own book, Mirror to be Blind. However, how the book came into existence is another good story.
Abdul Sattar Edhi says, “I wanted to create awareness in public regarding my work through writing. Since I could not write myself, what I did was I recorded my voice and converted what I wanted to write in form of cassettes. Later on, the cassettes were given to Tehmina Durrani and she converted my words into a book.” The special thing about this book is it contains what Edhi sahab experienced in his career of serving humanity; true explanations of scenes he experienced and people he served and their stories. In the book Edhi sahab has tried to advise and direct all those who are interested in sharing his burden.
And that is not all; he is planning to launch another book: “I received good comments on my previous book and now I am planning to launch another book soon.”
Whatever shape the changing world is going to have in the future, Abdul Sattar Edhi promises to continue his work by all means. “Not only by books, but I will keep on trying my best to continue my work trough radio, TV, and even movies if possible,” vows Abdul Sattar Edhi.
HE was young when he arrived in Pakistan in 1946 and since then the story of serving humanity has been going on. Always clad in simple attire, wearing an innocent smile on his face and ready to listen to every cry wherever it is, Abdul Sattar Edhi has always turned out to be as simple as he can.
