Octogenarian preaches on donkey

Published September 12, 2009

KHANEWAL, Sept 11 A senior citizen with impaired vision has taken upon himself preaching the importance of Ramazan and blessings of fast to people while travelling on a donkey on city roads.

Octogenarian Muhammad Iqbal who has crammed the Holy Quran starts his preaching tour from nearby village Shamkot early in the morning and arrives in the city. He keeps on moving on the donkey with occasional stoppages at different places to preach the importance of fasting.

“I come here to tell the people about the importance of Ramazan,” Iqbal told Dawn.

“I tell them the Muslims should observe fast throughout the month so that the Almighty bless them.”

His hometown, Shamkot, is 10 kilometre from Khanewal. He travels on the donkey without anyone's help despite his impaired vision. “The donkey is a good guide of mine and it knows where to go and where to stop,” he said.

In such an old age when people need rest, Iqbal tirelessly does his preaching job. Though he is from a pauper family, he feels bad seeking financial assistance from any quarter.

“Look, I am just fit and healthy. No eyesight, so what? I have not lost my norms, values, traditions, customs and religion,” he said.

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