A pictorial book titled “A Legacy of Wisdom: Madinat al-Hikmah, a City of Learning and Culture” which documents the life and services of Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said and the intellectual and educational heritage of Madinat al-Hikmah, was launched at a prestigious ceremony held at a local hotel on 22 October. Hamdard University organised the ceremony. Hamdard University Chancellor Ms Sadia Rashid, chief guest Javed Jabbar, Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Imran Amin, and former Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Syed Shabib-ul-Hasan formally unveiled the book. Prominent figures from academic, literary and social circles attended the event in a large number. Among the distinguished guests were Fatema Munir Ahmed – M.D/CEO Hamdard Pakistan, senior politician Nisar Khoro, Director General Hamdard Foundation Pakistan Farrukh Imdad and Registrar Hamdard University Syed Faizullah Jawad.
Chief guest Javed Jabbar said that he had the opportunity to know Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said closely for around 25 years and learn from his personality. Paying tribute to Ms Sadia Rashid, he said that over the past 28 years, she had quietly, humbly and consistently preserved and expanded her father’s legacy. He described the book as much more than a coffee-table book, calling it a rich blend of knowledge and beauty that presents the history, vision and intellectual journey of Madinat al-Hikmah in an engaging way. He praised the contributions of Prof. Dr Shabib-ul-Hasan, Tannaz Minawala, Nafeesa Rizvi, Malahat Kaleem Sherwani, Nizam Siddiqui, Naushad Alam and all others who helped produce the book. He said universities should be centres of independent thought, research, dialogue and freedom of opinion, where respect for tradition goes hand in hand with modern knowledge and new ideas.
Ms Sadia Rashid said the book reflected her father’s vision, struggle and lifelong mission. For her, it was also a personal tribute to his services for the betterment of society and the welfare of the people of Pakistan. Recalling the early days of Madinat al-Hikmah, she said the area had once been barren, with difficult paths and little else to see. However, her father had imagined children playing there and educational institutions flourishing in the future. She acknowledged her mother’s support and the contributions and efforts of former M.D of Hamdard Pakistan Dr Navaidd-ul-Zafar, adding that the development of Madinat al-Hikmah had been a collective effort. She expressed the hope that the book would introduce the younger generation to Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said’s ideas and inspire young people to dream with purpose and turn their dreams into reality.
Vice Chancellor of Hamdard University, Professor Dr Imran Amin, said that transforming more than 300 acres of barren land near the Hub River into a green and thriving area was a practical expression of Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said’s great vision. The idea of Madinat al-Hikmah was not limited to building a university; it was a dream to establish a centre of knowledge, research and service to humanity. He added that Hamdard University offered more than 1,000 academic programmes and was working to connect research with practical and economic benefits.
Renowned scientist Dr Atta-ur-Rahman described knowledge, research and human resources as the foundations of national development. He said Madinat al-Hikmah reflected Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said’s vision for education and his commitment to serving humanity.
Former Karachi Commissioner Shafiq-ur-Rehman Paracha said that Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said had created new opportunities for learning and education by establishing Madinat al-Hikmah on barren land. Providing educational facilities for local children had been an important part of his vision.
Navaid-ul-Zafar, recalled Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said’s punctuality, discipline, simplicity and spirit of selfless service. Mehtab Akbar Rashdi also paid tribute to the early development of Madinat al-Hikmah and Hakim Sahib’s educational vision.
In an audio message, Dr Mahum Munir Ahmed, Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said’s eldest granddaughter and Mutawallia of Hamdard Pakistan, said that Madinat al-Hikmah was a living example of her grandfather’s dream of making Pakistan an educated and aware nation. She appreciated the efforts of everyone who had contributed to carrying this great mission forward.
In a video message, Amena Humayoun Mian, second granddaughter of Hakim Sahib and Mutawallia of Hamdard Pakistan, said that the book was an important effort to preserve the history, academic and educational services of Madinat al-Hikmah, along with Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said’s vision, in words and pictures, and pass his legacy on to future generations.
A short documentary on the academic work and facilities at Madinat al-Hikmah was also screened at the ceremony.
Hamdard Pakistan’s COO Faisal Nadeem, Group Director HR Abutalib Bhutto and other senior managers/directors were also among the attendees.
