Pakistan founder Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah — a true statesman

Pakistan founder Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah
Updated 13 August 2019
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Pakistan founder Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah — a true statesman

Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, was no doubt one of the most charismatic leaders in world history. He was there at just the right moment, when Muslims in pre-partition India were facing severe challenges.

Under his leadership, the Muslims of the sub-continent gained independence and created a sovereign state, Pakistan, without a shot's being fired. This has no parallel in the chronicles of history.

Otto von Bismarck, the former German Chancellor, once said: “Man cannot control the current of events. He can only float with them and steer.” Jinnah’s statecraft proved this statement to be true, as he skillfully and successfully steered the adverse currents of events in 1946 and brought the battered Muslim ship ashore, safe and sound, within a year.

Jinnah’s attraction to the world of politics began as a young man working in London. He was very impressed by Dadabhai Naoroji, a Parsi from Bombay who was the first Indian to become an MP in Britain, and upon returning to India Jinnah entered the world of politics and joined the Indian National Congress. The first of the party’s annual sessions that he attended was its 20th, held in Bombay in December 1904.

There is no denying that initially Quaid-e-Azam was an ambassador for Hindu-Muslim unity; given the presence of a non-native government, he did not wish to exacerbate the problems between Muslims and Hindus. Nevertheless, he stood up for the rights of Muslims even when he was a member of Congress. In 1916, a result of his efforts was the Lucknow Pact, an agreement in which Congress accepted the right of Muslims to have separate constituencies and expressed willingness to give them constitutional guarantees.

Quaid-e-Azam was a man of principle who set very high political standards and values and never compromised on them. There were two main keys to Jihisnnah’s successful statesmanship: a rational approach to politics, and a keen knowledge of objective realities, however awkward or complex.

He had the uncanny ability to always make the right choice at the right moment. His statesmanship is evidenced by the fact that he considered each and every proposal put to him, whether it came from the British or from Congress, including the Lucknow Pact, the Roundtable Conferences of the early 1930s on constitutional reform, and the Cabinet Mission that came to India in 1946 to discuss the transfer of power from the British government. He studied them and found and used every opportunity they offered for securing the rights of Muslims.

US historian Stanley Wolpert wrote in his book “Jinnah of Pakistan:” “Few individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation-state. Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all three.”

 

Muhammad Arshad Munir is press counselor at the Pakistani Consulate in Jeddah.


Welbeck sinks Newcastle as Brighton reach FA Cup quarters

Updated 8 min 28 sec ago
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Welbeck sinks Newcastle as Brighton reach FA Cup quarters

  • The Seagulls have never lifted the Challenge Cup and last reached the final in 1983

NEWCASTLE: Danny Welbeck sent Brighton into the FA Cup quarterfinals as his extra-time strike clinched a dramatic 2-1 win against Newcastle in a stormy clash scarred by red cards for both teams.

Alexander Isak’s penalty put Newcastle ahead in the fifth-round tie at St. James’ Park.

Former Newcastle winger Yankuba Minteh equalized before the break, setting the stage for an explosive second half.

Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon was sent off for violent conduct in the 83rd minute after shoving Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke in the head.

Brighton were also reduced to 10 men late in the second half when Tariq Lamptey was dismissed for a second booking.

Fabian Hurzeler’s side emerged victorious thanks to Welbeck’s strike in the closing stages of extra time.

Brighton have never lifted the FA Cup and last reached the final in 1983 when they lost in a replay against Manchester United. The Seagulls have won five successive matches since their 7-0 thrashing at Nottingham Forest.

They are through to the quarterfinals for the second time in three seasons after winning at St. James’ Park for the second time this season.

It was a bitter blow for Newcastle, who haven’t won a domestic trophy since landing the 1955 FA Cup, while their last major trophy was the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

Unless Newcastle appeal against Gordon’s three-match ban, they will be without one of their key players for the League Cup final against Premier League leaders Liverpool at Wembley on March 16.

Newcastle made a vibrant start as Harvey Barnes lofted a pin-point cross to the far post, where Isak blazed over from close-range after his initial effort was blocked by Adam Webster.

Isak tested Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen with a long-range drive before Newcastle took the lead in the 22nd minute.

Minteh conceded a penalty with his rash challenge on Tino Livramento. Isak confidently lashed the spot kick into the top corner.

It was Isak’s 22nd goal in all competitions this season and the Sweden striker had the ball in the net again with a ferocious blast, only for an offside flag to curtail his celebrations.

Newcastle looked in complete command when Anthony Gordon cut inside for a curler that Verbruggen saved at full stretch.

But Brighton snatched an equalizer against the run of play in the 44th minute.

Joao Pedro’s superb pass picked out Minteh inside the area and the Gambian’s shot took a deflection as it flashed past Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka.

It was a sweet moment for Minteh, who joined Brighton from Newcastle last year in a £30 million ($37 million) deal.

Gordon saw red with seven minutes left in normal time, the England star lashing out at Van Hecke as they challenged for the ball after play was stopped for offside against Isak.

Lamptey followed Gordon down the tunnel in stoppage-time after the Brighton defender’s rash foul on Jacob Murphy.

Fabian Schar thought he had volleyed Newcastle’s winner in stoppage-time, but the defender was ruled offside after a VAR check.

Brighton came on strong in extra time. Dubravka made a fine stop to keep out Diego Gomez’s rocket from the edge of the area.

Newcastle had wilted and Welbeck won it for the Seagulls in the 114th minute, racing onto Solly March’s defense-splitting pass and clipping his shot over Dubravka.


India set up ICC Champions Trophy clash with Australia

Updated 11 min 7 sec ago
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India set up ICC Champions Trophy clash with Australia

  • India are playing all their matches at the Dubai International Stadium after they refused to tour hosts Pakistan due to security reasons

DUBAI: Spinner Varun Chakravarthy returned figures of 5-42 as India beat New Zealand by 44 runs on Sunday to set up a semifinal clash with Australia in the Champions Trophy.

India won all three of their group matches to top Group A and will play the first semifinal of the 50-over tournament in Dubai on Tuesday.

New Zealand will take on Group B winners South Africa in Lahore on Wednesday.

India are playing all their matches at the Dubai International Stadium after they refused to tour hosts Pakistan due to security reasons.

Australia and South Africa had to travel to Dubai from Pakistan despite not knowing if they would be playing there, as India were told ahead of the tournament they would play the first semifinal if they qualified no matter where they finished in the group.

South Africa will now have to fly back to Pakistan ahead of their meeting with New Zealand.

Shreyas Iyer’s 79 and a late 45 by Hardik Pandya steered India to 249-9 after being invited to bat first.

New Zealand pace bowler Matt Henry stood out with figures of 5-42 from his eight overs.

Chakravarthy took his first ODI five-wicket haul in just his second match as India bowled out New Zealand for 205 in 45.3 overs despite a valiant 81 by Kane Williamson.

Williamson survived two dropped catches on 17 and 68 in his 120-ball knock before he finally fell, stumped off Axar Patel.

New Zealand lost Rachin Ravindra early as Patel took a superb catch to dismiss the opener for six.

Chakravarthy cut short Will Young’s innings on 22 when he bowled him with a googly.

Williamson stood firm but could not find a long-term partner as Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham were dismissed for 17 and 14 respectively.

India’s spinners dominated in helpful conditions, as Kuldeep Yadav sent back Mitchell and Ravindra Jadeja trapped Latham lbw.

In between the two wickets, Williamson hit Jadeja for a boundary to raise his 47th ODI half-century but India kept taking wickets.

Earlier, India were in trouble at 30-3 when Virat Kohli, playing in his 300th one-day international, fell victim to a stunning one-handed catch from Glenn Phillips.

An airborne Phillips clung on to a fast-traveling ball at backward point to dimiss Kohli for 11 off Henry.

Kohli was left standing in disbelief before trudging off the ground to stunned silence.

Iyer and Patel, who made 42, put on 98 for the fourth wicket to rebuild the innings against a disciplined New Zealand attack.

Another stunning catch, this time by Williamson, who flung himself to his left at backward point to make a one-handed grab close to the ground, dismissed Jadeja for 16 off Henry.

Pandya struck four fours and two sixes in his run-a-ball innings to give India a total which proved to be enough.


Where We Are Going Today: ‘Gymkhana’ in Riyadh

Updated 26 min 45 sec ago
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Where We Are Going Today: ‘Gymkhana’ in Riyadh

  • Gymkhana Riyadh’s Ramadan iftar offers a well-balanced mix of tradition and indulgence, making it a great option for those looking to celebrate the season with rich flavors

RIYADH: Gymkhana Riyadh, inspired by its Michelin-starred London counterpart, offers a refined take on classic and contemporary Indian cuisine.

Gymkhana is presenting a specially curated iftar menu priced at SR235 ($63) per person for the holy month of Ramadan. The meal begins with a selection of Ramadan-inspired mocktails and Saudi gahwa, setting the stage for an indulgent feast.

The starters bring an assortment of textures and flavors, from the crisp pappadum selection served with tomato kalonji chutney and nimbu achari raita to the tangy gol guppas filled with jaljeera, potato, and sprouting moong.

The potli vegetable samosa, paired with chutney, offers a satisfying crunch, while the aloo chaat with tamarind and sev balances sweetness with spice.

For those who enjoy heartier options, the kasoori chicken tikka with moong sprouts and kasundi kachumber add a smoky depth to the spread.

For the main course, diners can choose between dum lamb biryani, Goan prawn curry, or chicken butter masala, each served with dal lasooni and a bread basket. The biryani is fragrant and well-spiced, the prawn curry offers a coastal touch with its coconut-infused sauce, and the butter chicken delivers the comforting, creamy flavors that many expect from a classic North Indian dish.

The dessert selection brings a luxurious end to the meal, with gold leaf badami kheer offering a silky, nutty sweetness, while the gulab jamun with cardamom mawa rabri presents a rich and indulgent bite.

Gymkhana Riyadh’s Ramadan iftar offers a well-balanced mix of tradition and indulgence, making it a great option for those looking to celebrate the season with rich flavors.

However, diners should be prepared for a significant level of spice in many of the dishes, which could be overwhelming for those with a lower tolerance. While the flavors are deep and well executed, the heat level might not be for everyone.

For more information, check the Instagram @gymkhana.sa.

 


A tapestry of traditions: Saudi Arabia’s Farasan Islanders embrace spirit of holy month

Farasan women used to prepare their homes by painting walls to highlight intricate engravings. (SPA)
Updated 16 min 35 sec ago
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A tapestry of traditions: Saudi Arabia’s Farasan Islanders embrace spirit of holy month

  • Blend of faith, maritime charm at Ramadan

RIYADH: Steeped in history, the Farasan Islands have long embraced unique Ramadan traditions, welcoming the holy month with a blend of faith and maritime charm.

Farasan women used to prepare their homes by painting walls to highlight intricate engravings and plasterwork, while laying smooth pebbles on courtyards to add a maritime-inspired touch.

Farasan women used to prepare their homes by painting walls to highlight intricate engravings. (SPA)

Amnah Aqili spoke to the Saudi Press Agency about these preparations, recalling the renewal of wooden bed frames, the polishing of utensils, the preparation of spices, and the weaving of doum palm frond carpets.

Aqili noted that with the arrival of Ramadan, the air would be filled with the scent of mastic from clay water jugs and the sweet aroma of coffee from traditional pots. The exchange of Ramadan dishes among neighbors was another cherished tradition in the community.

FASTFACTS

• The exchange of Ramadan dishes among neighbors is a cherished tradition in the Farasan community.

• The community continues to honor the spirit of Ramadan through acts of worship, compassion, and the exchange of gifts, strengthening both spiritual and social bonds.

Abkar Al-Mashrai’i recalled a time over 70 years ago when the islanders would rely on news from Jazan to begin Ramadan.

Nightly recitations of the Qur’an by the glow of lanterns would echo through the alleys, and the muezzin’s melodic call would announce sahoor. Children and young men filled the evenings with traditional games, Al-Mashrai’i added.

The Farasan community continues to honor the spirit of Ramadan through acts of worship, compassion, and the exchange of gifts, strengthening both spiritual and social bonds.

 


UN urges Israel to restore Gaza aid as Hamas sees ‘coup’ against truce

Palestinians gather to receive aid provided by UNRWA including food supplies.
Updated 55 min 52 sec ago
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UN urges Israel to restore Gaza aid as Hamas sees ‘coup’ against truce

  • “Since the morning we haven’t seen any trucks entering,” said a resident of Rafah on Gaza’s southern border
  • She warned of a “crisis” as the prices of basic commodities surged “as soon as the merchants heard about the closing of the crossing”

JERUSALEM: The United Nations on Sunday called on Israel to immediately allow aid into Gaza, hours after it suspended humanitarian deliveries into the war-battered territory as talks on a truce extension appeared to hit an impasse.
With uncertainty looming over the truce, both Israel and Palestinian sources reported Israeli military strikes in the Gaza Strip which the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said killed at least four people.
The 42-day first phase of the ceasefire drew to a close, and early on Sunday Israel announced a truce extension until mid-April that it said US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff had proposed.
Hamas has repeatedly rejected an extension, instead favoring a transition to the truce deal’s second phase that could bring a permanent end to the war.
The Palestinian group, whose October 7, 2023 attack on Israel triggered the fighting, said the “decision to suspend humanitarian aid is cheap blackmail, a war crime and a blatant coup against the (ceasefire) agreement.”
In a statement posted online, UN chief Antonio Guterres called for “humanitarian aid to flow back into Gaza immediately,” urging “all parties to make every effort to prevent a return to hostilities” and militants to release “all hostages.”
The head of the United Nations humanitarian agency OCHA, Thomas Fletcher, said in a post on X that “Israel’s decision to halt aid into Gaza is alarming” and may be in violation of international law.
Following the announcement of the aid suspension, AFP images showed trucks loaded with goods lined up on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing.
“Since the morning we haven’t seen any trucks entering,” said Umm Mohammad Abu Laia, a resident of Rafah on Gaza’s southern border.
She warned of a “crisis” as the prices of basic commodities surged “as soon as the merchants heard about the closing of the crossing.”
The first phase of the truce, which took effect on January 19, saw an increase of aid into Gaza, where the war destroyed or damaged most buildings, displaced almost the entire population and triggered widespread hunger, according to the UN.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, asked by reporters about the risk of starvation, dismissed such warnings as “a lie.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he had “decided that, from this morning, all entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip will be suspended.”
It said there would be “consequences” for Hamas if it did not accept the temporary truce extension, which would cover the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover.
On a sandy street in Gaza City, Mays Abu Amer, 21, expressed hope the ceasefire can continue “forever.”
“We have so much destruction, we need a lot of time for reconstruction,” she said.
Mediator Egypt and the International Committee of the Red Cross have appealed for the truce to be maintained.
Militant group Islamic Jihad, a Hamas ally, accused Israel of “sabotaging” the ceasefire.
According to Israel, the truce extension would see half of the hostages still in Gaza freed on the day the deal came into effect, with the rest to be released at the end if an agreement was reached on a permanent ceasefire.
Of the 251 captives taken during Hamas’s October 2023 attack, 58 remain in Gaza including 34 the Israeli military has confirmed are dead.
In Israel, mourners who turned out to farewell Shlomo Mansour, 85, whose body militants had held in Gaza and returned to Israel on Thursday, said more should be done to get the remaining captives home.
“Return all of them immediately,” said Vardit Roiter.
Under the first phase of the truce, Gaza militants handed over 25 living hostages and eight bodies, including Mansour’s, in exchange for the release of about 1,800 Palestinian prisoners.
Israelis in Jerusalem welcomed the decision to block aid, describing it as a way to pressure Hamas into making concessions.
Neria, a 27-year-old teacher who only gave his first name, told AFP it was a “smart move” that could “push forward new things, the release of more hostages and the end of the war.”
In southern Gaza on Sunday, the civil defense agency reported shelling and gunfire “from Israeli tanks,” which the army said it was “unaware of.”
The Palestine Red Crescent said Israeli drone strikes killed one person in the same area and another in a nearby town.
The military said it had conducted an air strike in northern Gaza targeting suspects it said had “planted an explosive device” near its troops.
Including the deaths on Sunday, Gaza’s health ministry has recorded 116 people killed by Israel’s military since the ceasefire took effect on January 19, substantially reducing violence.
The 2023 attack that sparked the war resulted in the deaths of more than 1,200 people in Israel, mostly civilians, while Israel’s retaliation in Gaza has killed more than 48,300 people, also mostly civilians, data from both sides show.