Role of Women in Pakistan Movement PDF

ROLE OF WOMEN IN PAKISTAN MOVEMENT  Muslim women have made great contributions towards the Pakistan Movement and if we look at the history, particularly during the large-scale migration, we find them making all kinds of sacrifices. For the cause of a Muslim state, they were subject to killings...

ROLE OF WOMEN IN PAKISTAN MOVEMENT  Muslim women have made great contributions towards the Pakistan Movement and if we look at the history, particularly during the large-scale migration, we find them making all kinds of sacrifices. For the cause of a Muslim state, they were subject to killings, torture, abduction and rape at the hands of tyrant non-Muslims. During the Pakistan Movement, our women presented themselves as ‘role model’ for the women of other nations. They were so brave, courageous and selfless that despite different kinds of hurdles in the society, they came forward and worked for the noble cause side by side with me  Abadi Begum The name of Abadi Begum, popularly known as ‘Bi Amma’ is on the top of the list of such noble ladies. She was the mother of Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar and Maulana Shaukat Ali. She encouraged her sons in fight for freedom. The two brave brothers devoted their lives to the cause of Muslims and during their struggle they were arrested and imprisoned for two years by the British rulers.  Abadi Begum The tyrant rulers asked them to beg pardon for their release but Bi Amma sent a word to them not to give up their cause nor ask for pardon and warned that if they did so, she would not forgive them. No doubt, she was the great woman and her greatness lies in the fact that she had taught her sons to be willing to sacrifice their lives in the cause of Muslims.  Begum Muhammad Ali Jauhar Begum Muhammad Ali Jauhar, dressed in a ‘burqah’, was the only woman in the All India Muslim League working committee and she was also the first Muslim woman to address the public meetings. Miss Fatima Jinnah, the youngest sister of Quaid-i-Azam. For her great services to the nation, she was called ‘Madr-e-Millat’ by the grateful nation. The word ‘Madr-e-Millat’ means mother of the nation. She helped Quaid in his struggle and also worked as link between women and the Quaid-i-Azam. She was the right hand of Quaid and associated herself with the Quaid at every step of Pakistan Movement. She was respected by all the sections of society. The year 2003 was declared the year of Madr-e-Millat by the government to acquaint the young generation particularly girls with her services.  Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan’s Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan’s name is also worth mentioning. She formed women’s voluntary service and women’s National Guard. She was a highly educated woman. She had also worked as honorary secretary of Liaquat Ali Khan at the time when he was General Secretary of the All India Muslim League before the creation of Pakistan and then Prime Minister afterwards. The Muslim League had no money to pay the salary of a secretary and Begum Ra’ana did that job happily.  Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan’s She also used to arrange parties, where Muslim women could meet the wife and daughter of Viceroy to explain their viewpoint and express their protest over British high-handedness against the Muslims. She founded the All Pakistan Women’s Association (APWA), perhaps the first NGO of the women. The APWA is still working for the welfare of women in Pakistan and it has opened many schools, colleges and technical institutes to educate the poor girls.  Role of Students in Pakistan Movement There is no denying the fact that the credit for introducing the educational reforms, and awakening the Muslims of the Subcontinent, mostly goes to the great Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. He was so impressive in his efforts that political stalwarts of the Subcontinent acknowledged his efforts. For instance, Allama Iqbal said: “The real greatness of the man (Sir Syed) consists in the fact that he was the first Indian Muslim who felt the need of a fresh orientation of Islam and worked for it.” When there was the introduction of new education system in India, the Muslims, unlike the Hindus, rejected this modern system. They resisted change and remained stuck to their own traditional studies. The War of Independence of 1857 proved to be a seminal event in the history of India, and a watershed moment for the reformers like Sir Syed. The War had huge impact on the region in political, economic, social and academic fields and also changed the Muslims’ viewpoint towards education. Aligarh Madarasa At this critical juncture in the history of Indian Muslims, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan realized that the miseries of the Muslims could only be curtailed by achieving modern education. Sir Syed clearly foresaw the imperative need for the Muslims to acquire proficiency in the English language and modern sciences if the community were to maintain its social and political identity, particularly in Northern India. With this vision in mind, he founded the Aligarh Madarasa, in 1875, which was later given the status of Mohammeden Anglo Oriental (MAO) College, in 1877. The students of this institution were strikingly different from the rest; and this change marked the emergence of a new trend in the lives of the Muslims of the Subcontinent, who were destined to play a significant role in the Freedom Movement.  All-India Muslim Students Federation The biasness of the All-India Student Federation (AISF), which was also known as ‘Baby of the Congress’, resulted in the creation of All-India Muslim Students Federation (AIMSF) that was formed on January 17, 1936, with Mohammad Wasiq as its General Secretary and Mohammad Noman as Organising Secretary. The constitution of this organization was presented on December 29, 1937, in a conference held in Calcutta which focused on uniting and organizing the Muslim students nationwide, to arouse political consciousness amongst them, to work for the betterment and advancement of the social and economic condition of Muslims, to popularize Islamic culture and faith, to have friendly relations amongst different communities of India and to promote cooperation between the Muslim students of India and rest of the world.  Muslim Girls Student Federation Muslim Girls’ Student Federation was set up with Begum Ikramullah, appointed as its convener. Regardless of the cultural barrier, many female students worked enthusiastically and helped in arousing political consciousness among Muslim women. The Freedom Movement gained momentum in the early 40’s and so did the students’ activities. Muslim students worked socially, intellectually, journalistically and politically to serve the national goal. Their enthusiasm reflects in the titles they used before their names such as Khadim-e-Pakistan and Mujahid-e-Pakistan. They also interacted with the common people of different villages and towns, giving them political awareness. Fund—raising was also an important activity carried out by the students to financially help Muslim League in the upcoming elections of 1945. The students not only worked in their respective areas but also helped their brothers in other provinces, forming an inter-province cooperation. he political role of Muslim students was a valuable contribution towards the independence of Pakistan. As the time drew closer for the elections of 1945-46, the activities of the students grew faster. Hundreds of trained volunteers were appointed for different duties in the election campaign, as well as for the election day. This time, too, they had to face enormous difficulties in the form of police and official interference. Furthermore, they had a tough time in Hindu-majority areas too where they were abused and stoned. But, nothing could distract them from achieving their goal and ultimately their struggles, effort, sincerity and hard work resulted in the creation of Pakistan