The Richest Poor Man - Mollana Abdul Sattar Edhi

The Angel Of Mercy
Mollana Abdul Sattar Edhi
1928 - 2016

"Empty words and long praises do not impress God. Show Him your faith by your deeds"- Edhi 

These Golden words, were from perhaps one of the most larger than life philanthropists the world has ever seen. Abdul Sattar Edhi was the name of trust and synonymous to hope for the oppressed and indigent part of our society. That selfless man, who lead the simplest life possible in the modern day society , or should I say an Impossibly simple life in the modern days was like an angel and blessing for the people regardless of their race, colour, gender, nationality, social background or religions. 

He has established the unbreakable unmatchable benchmark in world of social welfare. It is impossible to encompass his humanitarian services in a limited article space, just here is a glance. 

Born on 28th of Feb 1928 in Gujrat, British India, Abdul Sattar Edhi migrated to Pakistan after the creation of Pakistan. It would not be wrong to say that he was the chosen one to serve the people, and the land chosen for him to operate was Pakistan. The man, who never drove any other car in his entire life, other than an ambulance was  the founder of World's largest voluntary Ambulance Network comprising of more than 1800 vehicles, 28 rescue boats, 2 aircrafts and 1 helicopter. 

He is considered to be one the most respected persons of Pakistan. He lead by example, and spent his entire life living in a small accommodation in one of his own orphanages, The Edhi Homes, as they are called, with the people he cared for in his care homes.

The Edhi Foundation runs hundreds of orphanage centres, old homes, rehabilitation centers, charitable clinics, various emergency and relief services throughout Pakistan. The foundation has hundred thousands of relief and rescue operations to their credit, locally and internationally

While writing this article, I like to share few events that are ever remembering for the lifetime. Once giving an interview he told that "The passion to help poor and needy is the result of the teachings given by his mother, in his childhood he was given 2 paisas (the lowest denomination of the local currency is 1 paisa) as his pocket money, to spend one on himself and other one on the needy."

One of the most amazing facts that I came across was that his passion for humanity and welfare was not compromised even an inch at the time when his 3 year old grandson was killed by a mentally challenged woman in Edhi Home by pouring boiling water.  This is something beyond belief and I am yet to come across anyone with such big heart and passion for what he used to do his entire life i.e. Humanitarian services. 

Whenever asked about his success, he always expressed that "Truth, Hardwork, Passion, Punctuality and Simplicity are the key factors that made him The Edhi. As a matter of fact, his successful humanitarian services were also the result of his unsuccessful political start-up. Many of us may not be not aware that Molana Abdul Sattar Edhi also contested general elections from his home constituency of Kharadar Meethadar, Karachi in 1970 & 1975. On both occasions, he lost the elections being an independent candidate in competition with Molana Shah Ahmed Noorani and other potential political figures and parties. These failed attempts brought him to focus on his charitable services and made him more prominent most respected figure more than even the most respectful politician in the country could not even dream of. 

Abdul Sattar Edhi emerged as creditable philanthropist, admired by millions of people around the globe. He died by kidney failure on 8th of July 2016 in Karachi. He was honored with various of medals and recognition worldwide along with Pakistan's Highest Civil Award "Nishan-e-Imtiaz". He is the third person after Qauid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and President Zia-ul-Haq to receive "Gun Carriage Funeral" by the state. Pakistan Army paid tribute and honor to Edhi with 19-Gun Salute and Guard of Honor at his funeral. He is also honored by State Bank of Pakistan with the issuance of Rs. 50 special coin. 

"As a reporter, I have met presidents, prime ministers and reigning monarchs. Until meeting the Pakistani social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi, I had never met a saint. … Shaking hands, I knew I was in the presence of moral and spiritual greatness." - Peter Oborne (A British Journalist)