Abdul Sattar Edhi
Abdul Sattar Edhi: A Life of Selfless Service
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Abdul Sattar Edhi (1928-2016) was a Pakistani philanthropist and humanitarian who founded the Edhi Foundation, one of the largest and most respected welfare organizations in Pakistan.
Birth and Death Dates
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Edhi was born on January 1, 1928, in Bantva, Gujarat, British India. He passed away on July 8, 2016, at the age of 88.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Pakistani, philanthropist, humanitarian
Early Life and Background
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Edhi was born to a Muslim family and spent his early years in poverty. His father, Mitha Ram, was an illiterate but compassionate man who instilled in Edhi the value of kindness and generosity towards others. After completing primary education, Edhi moved to Karachi with his family and began working as a laborer at the age of 12.
Major Accomplishments
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Edhi's life was marked by numerous humanitarian achievements, including:
Founding the Edhi Foundation: In 1957, Edhi established the Edhi Foundation, which has since grown into one of Pakistan's largest and most respected welfare organizations.
Establishment of Orphanages and Shelters: The Edhi Foundation operates over 50 orphanages and shelters across Pakistan, providing food, clothing, and shelter to thousands of vulnerable children and families.
Ambulance Service: Edhi introduced the concept of a free ambulance service in Pakistan, which has saved countless lives by providing emergency medical care to those in need.Notable Works or Actions
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Edhi's work extended far beyond his organizational endeavors:
Selfless Service: Throughout his life, Edhi dedicated himself to serving others without expecting anything in return. He lived a simple life and donated all his earnings to the Edhi Foundation.
International Recognition: Edhi received numerous awards and accolades for his humanitarian work, including the Lenin Peace Prize and the United Nations' Human Rights Prize.Impact and Legacy
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Edhi's impact on Pakistani society cannot be overstated. His selfless service has inspired countless individuals to follow in his footsteps:
Pioneering Humanitarian Work: Edhi's innovative approaches to humanitarian work have set a precedent for organizations around the world.
Empowering Women and Children: Through his orphanages, shelters, and education initiatives, Edhi has empowered thousands of women and children to build better lives.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Edhi's quotes and actions continue to inspire people worldwide:
Compassion and Empathy: His unwavering commitment to serving others is a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion and empathy in our lives.
* Simple yet Profound Message: Edhi's simple yet profound message – "Do good, because it's good" – continues to resonate with people across cultures and backgrounds.
Quotes by Abdul Sattar Edhi
Abdul Sattar Edhi's insights on:
I'm most proud of the ambulance service. This is emergency work. Many times Edhi ambulances are the first to arrive and save people's lives. I'm very proud of this.
I want to create awareness amongst the common people of Pakistan and I generally appeal to the Pakistani people living here and abroad for help and they provide me with the necessary resources.
![The common people don't believe this kind of religion [of islamic fundamentalists] because first and foremost they want to solve their basic problems, including human rights and economic.](/_vercel/image?url=https:%2F%2Flakl0ama8n6qbptj.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fquotes%2Fquote-2815098.png&w=1536&q=100)
The common people don't believe this kind of religion [of islamic fundamentalists] because first and foremost they want to solve their basic problems, including human rights and economic.
The attitude of the Pakistani people is very good. Whenever I release any statement or deliver any kind of speech, they respond favourably.
Our motto is 'from cradle to grave.' Unwanted babies are delivered to us through our cradle programme, where we work to find new homes for them for parents desiring children. In addition to our healthcare programmes, we also have a programme for burying the dead, meeting all the necessary expenses for those who are unable to do so.
People, the common people, can genuinely see what I'm doing. Moreover, people know that I have adopted four principles in living my life: simple living, punctuality, hard work and prudence. These are the four principles I adopted at the very beginning and continue to use until now. People see this and give me donations.
The basic problem affecting the Pakistan today is human rights. Islamic fundamentalists have no roots among the common people and while they are pushing hard for religious fundamentalists to take hold, the common people still seek change through humanitarian and common human rights law.
I do this work for the common people and part of that work is creating a general awareness of such problems as they exist because my work is beyond class, religion and creed.
I believe in nature and humanity and am here to serve the common people of Pakistan. There is a great deal of suffering in this country and I'm here to help.