Abdul SattarEdhi is a renowned social worker of Pakistan. From half a decade he is known for his legendry social work and his prodigal and humanitarian nature. Recently, his death has marked a great influence in the history of social work in Pakistan. He is best known for his slogan of “No Religion is Greater than Humanity”.
This prodigal son of Pakistan was born on first January, 1928 in India. His dad was a specialist in Mumbai. He was at the age of 24, when Pakistan got isolated from sub-continent. Mr. Abdul Sattar Edhi alongside his family migrated to Karachi. At that time Karachi was becoming an overcrowded residential area where transients were in problem of settling and living in recently created country, Pakistan. Around 150,000 transients,who had migrated from India, were living in Karachi. At that time of crisis influenza broke out and Edhi claimed successively a Medical store and because of those circumstances he pulled together few specialists of Medical College to give the restorative treatment to the general population who were experiencing Flu. From the age of 24, when he first helped those people experiencing flu till date there are up to 400 well-established establishments medical stores serving all over nation under the name of Edhi Foundation.
Achievements of his purposeful life:
Edhi believed that the purpose of his life was not to gain fame or to earn different awards rather his purpose was to serve ever needy person of his nation despite of his religion and caste. He believed that all his social work is actually a part of his achievements for what he had worked really hard from the time when he was young. Throughout the country his social work is spread under the name of an organization i.e. “Edhi Foundation”.
Services provided by “Edhi Foundation”:
The nature of the services provided by the foundation is versatile. Here are a few of them that are commonly admired and tribute at international level as well.
Food and Shelter services:
The foundation provides shelter and homage facilities to poor and homeless people. Apart from that there are old houses and orphanages build by the organization as well, where people are provided will all sort of basic facilities and children are provided with free education.
Medical facilities:
There are around 400 medical stores that are working under this organization. Apart from that 24 hour service of ambulances is available all over the country.
The Burial of Deads:
Edhi Foundation also takes responsibility for the burial of dead bodies that are not claimed by anyone. It is observed that most of the bodies are of criminals who usually die in police encounter or sometimes the needy people who cannot afford the burial. But this foundation performs all the rituals despite paying attention to their religion and caste.
Wordly achievements of this Lagendry Man:
He had been awarded with a great number of national and international awards but was never awarded a noble prize for his legendry work. Still, his efforts had gained respect and love of the whole nation. The list of his award includes;
International Awards:
- Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service (1986)
- Lenin Peace Prize (1988)
- Paul Harris Fellow from Rotatory International Foundation, (1993)
- Peace Prize from (USSR former) for services in the Armenian earthquake disaster, (1998)
- Largest Voluntary Ambulance Organization of the World – Guinness Book of World Records (2000)
- Hamdan Award for volunteers in Humanitarian Medical Services (2000)
- International Balzan Prize for Humanity, Peace and Brotherhood, Italy (2000)
- Peace and Harmony Award (Delhi), 2001
- Peace Award (Mumbai), 2004
- Peace Award (Hyderabad Deccan), 2005
- Wolf of Bhogio Peace Award (Italy),2005
- Gandhi Peace Award (Delhi),2007
- UNESCO Madanjeet sing Peace Award (Paris),2007
- Peace Award Seoul (South Korea), 2008
- Honorary Doctorate degree from the Institute of Business Administration Karachi(2006)
- UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize(2009)
- The Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize for Advancement of Peace, 2010
- Peace Award (London), 2011
National Awards:
- Silver Jubilee Shield by College of Physicians and Surgeons, Pakistan, (1962–1987)
- The Social Worker of Sub-Continent by Government of Sind, Pakistan, (1989)
- Civil decoration from Government of Pakistan (1989)
- Recognition of meritorious services to oppressed humanity during eighties by Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Government of Pakistan, (1989)
- Pakistan Civic Award from the Pakistan Civic Society (1992)
- Shield of Honor by Pakistan Army (E & C)
- Khidmat Award by Pakistan Academy of Medical Sciences
- Human Rights Award by Pakistan Human Rights Society.
Recently, this angel of mercy has left this materialistic world. His death has marked a great influence not even on the history of social life in Pakistan but also in the hearts of million people. May Allah Almighty bless him with higher rank in Jannah. As a tribute to his great work and merciful nature, during his burial ceremony he is also tribute like martyred soldiers by Pakistan army.
He would always be remembered for his humanity and social work. Whenever the history would look for the names of humanitarians like Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa, it would also see another highlighted name that would be Abdul Sattar Edhi. A number of social workers aim to continue with Edhi’s great work. They have put forward their names for the continuation of this purpose.