Muhammad Ali Jinnah was born in Karachi on Dec. 25 1876.
After receiving secondary education in Karachi, he went to England for higher studies.
He joined Lincoln’s Inn to study Law.
Upon returning home, he started his career as a young Barrister in Bombay.
He soon joined politics and started political struggle for the independence of his nation.
During his political career, Jinnah advocated Hindu–Muslim unity, helping to shape the 1916 Lucknow Pact between the Indian National Congress and the All-India Muslim League.
Jinnah became a key leader in the All India Home Rule League, and proposed a fourteen-point constitutional reform plan to safeguard the political rights of Muslims.
In 1920, however, Jinnah resigned from the Congress and joined All-India Muslim League.
During early 1930s, Jinnah gave up politics and went to England.
However, upon the strong demands from the Muslim leaders, he returned to India and actively participated in politics.
By 1940, Jinnah had come to believe that Indian Muslims should have their own state. In that year, Jinnah was the president of All-India Muslim League. On March 23 1940, All-India Muslim League, led by Jinnah, passed the famous Lahore Resolution to demand a separate home land for the Muslims of India.
In a short span of just seven years, the dream of the Muslims became a reality and Pakistan came into being on Aug. 14, 1947.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah is thus regarded as the Founding Father of the Nation and is called Quai-i-Azam(great leader).
He was the first governor-general of Pakistan.
Jinnah worked to establish the newly independent country’s government and policies, and to aid the millions of Muslim migrants who had emigrated from India to Pakistan after the partition.
Jinnah died at the age of 71 on Sept. 11, 1948.
Numerous articles and books have been written on Quaid-e-Azam. He was a great leader.
Chiragh Ali Anjum has paid rich tribute to Quaid-e-Azam, in one of his articles in the following words: “Glowing tributes have been paid to the Quaid by the Muslims of the sub-continent, British rulers and moderate Hindu leaders, biographers, historians and scholars.”
The best tribute to the Quaid, in my opinion, has been paid by American scholar and historian Stanley Wolpert. He writes in his biography of the Quaid titled — Jinnah of Pakistan: “Few individuals significantly alter a course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation–state. Muhammad Ali Jinnah did all three. The people of Bombay built the People’s Jinnah Memorial Hall to commemorate their historical success under the brave and brilliant leadership of Jinnah. Lord Reading, Vice Roy of the British India in 1925, who highly valued the legislative work of Jinnah, wished to recommend his name for the coveted knighthood but Jinnah regretted to receive the honor saying that he preferred to be simply Mr. Jinnah. The Muslims of Lucknow on the occasion of session of the Muslim League in October 1937 welcomed Jinnah and shouted “the Quaid-e-Azam” when they saw their leader appearing at the venue dressed in a Sherwani and a cap he borrowed from Nawab Muhammad Ismail Khan a prominent League Leader of the United Provinces. That Cap later on was to be known as Jinnah Cap. The people of Pakistan in recognition of their leader’s services to the cause of Pakistan gave him yet a unique title ‘Father of the Nation’.”
Muhammad Ali Jinnah: Father of the Nation
Muhammad Ali Jinnah: Father of the Nation
Fearless Saudi 13-year-old launches Vision 2030 podcast
- Teenager aims to educate the public about Kingdom’s vision
- Overcame public speaking fears to become podcaster
RIYADH: Saudi Linda Al-Faisal, who is only 13, aims to make an impact through her podcast, Linda Vision 2030, with each episode featuring a guest trailblazer.
Through her podcast, she connects with thousands of local and international subscribers, engaging in conversations about the Kingdom’s vision.
In her first episode, titled “How Saudi Arabia Became a Global Hub,” she discusses the projects being driven by the Kingdom, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, claiming “Saudi Arabia is no longer the land you once knew.”
In her third episode, Al-Faisal interviewed Tamim Turki, a teenage Saudi sports presenter.
Then, in her fourth episode, Al-Faisal sat down Hassan Yusuf, program director for Saudi Arabia’s Real Madrid foundation, where the pair discussed the role of youth in achieving the goals of Vision 2030.
When she was five years old, Al-Faisal was interested in becoming a ballerina, and after being enrolled in classes she later fulfilled her childhood dream. Today, she is a ballerina as well as a podcast host.
Influenced by her friends, who have their own podcast, Al-Faisal decided to create her own platform.
“Why I chose (the topic of) Vision 2030 is because many people don’t know what it talks about or what is going to happen. So, I decided to search and learn more about Vision 2030 so I can teach the people.
“The biggest goal that I want to achieve from my podcast is that I want to make every listener feel proud with all the developments and changes happening in Saudi Arabia.”
After years of presenting at school, facing her fears, Al-Faisal became a natural public speaker, learning communication techniques through observation and practice to become an effective presenter.
“I used to be nervous while presenting during my first time in school. We all learn from our mistakes, and I learned from mine and became stronger. The speeches I used to present in school made me more powerful.”
Al-Faisal’s ballet talent earned her third place in the “Creative Journey Around the Kingdom,” a program launched by the General Entertainment Authority in collaboration with MBC Academy, which sets out to identify local talent.
Al-Faisal’s message to teenagers is to keep dreaming and always stay positive.
“Do not let negative thinking destroy you. Always focus on yourself because you are the main character of your life.”
Saudi ministry signs two agreements to enhance social responsibility in nonprofit sector
Saudi Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti, witnessed the signing of two memoranda of understanding between the ministry and the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Foundation for Developmental Housing and Kaaf Strategy, respectively.
The signing ceremony was attended by the ministry’s Undersecretary for Beneficiary Services and Branch Affairs, Ghanem Al-Jadaan.
The signing of the two MoUs aims to enhance the role of the nonprofit sector in fulfilling its social responsibilities and contributing to the development of its operations through community projects and initiatives.
It also seeks to improve the work environment within nonprofit associations and institutions supervised by the Ministry, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
Diriyah Gate chief highlights city’s vision as a global blueprint for urban and social development
- Talal Kansara said Davos presence focused on showcasing Diriyah’s role in urban development intertwined with authenticity and tradition
DAVOS: Diriyah Gate Development Authority’s Chief Strategic Management Officer Talal Kansara has outlined the city’s ambition to become a model for urban and social transformation, offering a new way of living while preserving Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage.
Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Kansara emphasized Diriyah’s role in showcasing urban development intertwined with authenticity and tradition.
“I think we have a unique story when it comes to urban transformation, to share with the world and (also) to learn from the rest of the world,” he said. “The area 20 years from now would be one of the best gathering places in the world, something where people can come and be immersed in a different experience, an experience that touches their souls, touches their heart, by providing them something that is authentic.”
Located on the northwestern outskirts of Riyadh, Diriyah has undergone significant redevelopment, carefully restoring its mud-brick structures that reflect the Najdi architectural style. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010, Diriyah is seen as the birthplace of the Kingdom and a living example of the region’s architectural and cultural heritage.
Marking its WEF debut, Kansara said that Diriyah’s participation at Davos aims to showcase the project’s holistic approach, spanning tourism, hospitality, culture and real estate.
“People would see beyond Diriyah as one of the Kingdom’s giga project, they would see elements of Diriyah that that is part of its DNA,” Kansara said.
With a $50 billion development plan in motion, the project seeks to transform Diriyah into a global hub for history, culture and lifestyle while setting new standards for urban planning.
“We have a case that we want to present to the world when it comes to urban transformation,” Kansara said, “and we (want to) foster the dialog between us and people who have urban transformation and urban economy as one of their priorities.”
He added that Diriyah’s practices can serve as a guide for other cities to design spaces catering to human needs, including both locals and visitors.
“People need to walk, they need to interact, they need to socialize,” Kansara said, “also building an infrastructure and building cities where they are welcoming visitors. The infrastructure is not only meant for the (local) community, (but) also for the visitors, because you don’t want the visitors and the tourists to overrun the infrastructure.”
He said that the world is full of examples “where overtourism is somehow jeopardizing and decreasing the quality of the city, and you can see the community bothered from that in different places.”
Central to Saudi Arabia’s national tourism strategy, Diriyah is projected to attract 15 million visitors by 2030 and create more than 250,000 jobs. Kansara said that sustainability is integral to the development plan, ensuring the project meets the needs of a growing population and an influx of visitors.
“Sustainability is not an afterthought. Sustainability has been in the (project) DNA since the master plan,” he said.
Kansara also stressed the importance of preserving both the tangible and intangible elements of Saudi heritage, creating a living, organic space rather than a static museum.
“Diriyah is a place where people can live, walk, dine, play, have fun and learn. You would come in a place that’s not a theme park. This is more of an organic place. You’ll see people living as a visitor. You would interact with people who are living, you would interact with people who are studying, interact with people who are working. And that’s a great opportunity for the visitors to have a real touch, the real exposure to the history of the country of Saudi Arabia.”
Visitors to Diriyah’s pavilion at the Saudi House in Davos have been captivated by its unconventional real-estate approach.
“The thing that people admired and that captured their attention is that usually with a conventional real-estate project, you would see skyscrapers, you would see big buildings, you would see metal and glass. And when they came here, they say, ‘OK, we are not seeing this,’” Kansara said.
“We’re using mud bricks for the entire city, the way that we preserve our architectural language, the way we preserve different social and cultural practices and bring it back to life. So it’s not a museum where you see things, but that’s part of the past. No, this is really bringing things from the past and making something that people really engage with for now and in the future.”
Human resource ministry completes rollout of ‘Professional Verification’ service for expat workers in 160 countries
- Service aims to give expat workers reliable academic qualifications, experience and skills required by Saudi labor market
- Ministry of Human Resources has covered 1,007 professions as part of implementing ‘Professional Verification’ service
RIYADH: The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has completed the final phase of covering all targeted countries that export labor through the “Professional Verification” service within the “Professional Accreditation” program. This initiative aims to enhance the skill levels of the expatriate workforce. The target was achieved by covering 160 countries, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This service is in line with Cabinet Resolution No. 195, which aims to ensure that expatriate workers possess reliable academic qualifications, as well as the practical experience and skills required by the Saudi labor market before entering the Kingdom.
The “Professional Verification” service focuses on the competence of workers in high-skill professions, as well as verifying the alignment of academic qualifications with the appropriate level and field of study. This is done in accordance with approved standards, such as the Saudi Unified Classification of Professions and the Saudi Unified Classification of Educational Levels and Specializations. The service is fully automated and is provided through a unified platform for professional verification, following simplified and fast procedures.
The Ministry of Human Resources has covered 1,007 professions as part of the implementation phases of the “Professional Verification” service, targeting all labor-exporting countries worldwide. The Ministry will continue to cover all high-skill professions, which fall within groups 1-3 according to the Saudi Unified Classification of Professions, including engineering and health professions, in coordination with the relevant government authorities.
It is worth noting the fact that the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development aims, through this service, to regulate the labor market, improve the quality of jobs and services within the labor market, and enhance productivity levels.
Saudi FM arrives in Lebanon
- The foreign minister affirmed Kingdom’s continued support for Lebanon and its people
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Lebanon on Thursday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Announced earlier this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the one-day trip marks the first high-ranking Saudi visit to Lebanon since 2015.
Prince Faisal later met with President Joseph Aoun who was elected earlier this month.
“We are greatly confident in the ability of... the president and the prime minister to initiate reforms necessary to bolster Lebanon's security, stability and unity,” Prince Faisal said after the meeting.
The foreign minister also affirmed the Kingdom’s continued support for Lebanon and its people, SPA reported.
Aoun, whose election ended more than two years without a president, named former International Court of Justice presiding judge Nawaf Salam as prime minister-designate.
He has been tasked with forming a government capable of boosting Lebanon’s faltering economy and rebuilding areas devastated by war.
