FOLLOWING the unsuccessful War of Independence of 1857, the Muslims of Subcontinent was given a new hope and direction by the great educationist and reformer, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan who brought about an intellectual revolution among them through his educational, political and social reforms.
Keeping cognizance of educational backwardness of Muslims of British India, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s All India Muhammadan Educational Conference at Aligarh founded in 1875, had carried forward his vision of modern education, socioeconomic empowerment and political unity, which soon enabled millions of Muslims to compete with other communities including Hindus in all sectors of life besides provided a launching pad for initiation of peaceful political struggle for a separate homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent.
Sir Syed’s reforms had helped excelled Muslims in education, social, economic and political sciences and their voices were strongly heard by British rulers.
Seeing the charisma and strong determination of Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Muslims got united under the flag of All India Muslim League (AIML) established on December 30, 1906 that gave new impetus to the Independence Movement.
The historic movement witnessed further acceleration after historic Allabad address delivered by the legendary poet Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal during 25th annual session of AIML in 1930 in which he outlined a clear vision of an independent state for Muslims majority provinces in the northwestern India, thus becoming the first politician to articulate about two nation-theory that Muslims are a distinct nation and deserve political independence.
Following adoption of Pakistan Resolution on March 23, 1940, Quaid-i-Azam reorganized AIML by making repeated visits to all Muslims majority provinces of British India including NWFP (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) to mobalize masses and students for creation of Pakistan.
He also visited the historic Islamia College, Peshawar (ICP) in 1936, 1945 and 1948 to acknowledge the outstanding role of its students during Pakistan Movement.
The great Quaid received a rousing welcome when he came to ICP in 1945 where its students and Muslim Students Federation (MSF) presented him Rs 8,000 as fund for Pakistan Movement and assured him to present 8,000 committed educated workers when he came again to this great alma-mater.—APP
