Book chronicles Hakeem Said's vision, legacy

Volume documents transformation from barren land to centre of learning; tribute to Shaheed Hakeem Mohammed Said's legacy

IV Report

KARACHI: From a barren stretch near Hub River to a thriving city of learning and culture — a pictorial book launched here has captured the life, vision and lifelong mission of Shaheed Hakeem Mohammed Said and the making of Madinat al-Hikmah.

The book titled "A Legacy of Wisdom: Madinat al-Hikmah, a City of Learning and Culture" was launched at a ceremony organised by Hamdard University at a local hotel on Wednesday.

Hamdard University Chancellor Sadia Rashid, chief guest and former senator Javed Jabbar, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Imran Amin and former Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Syed Shabib-ul-Hasan formally unveiled the book. A large number of academicians, writers and social figures attended.

The speakers eulogised the personality and services of Hakeem Said — his punctuality, discipline, simplicity and spirit of selfless service — describing Madinat al-Hikmah as a practical expression of his dream to make Pakistan an educated and aware nation.

Chief guest Javed Jabbar said he had known Shaheed Hakeem Said closely for around 25 years. He paid tribute to Chancellor Sadia Rashid for quietly and consistently preserving and expanding her father's legacy over the past 28 years. He described the book as more than a coffee-table book, calling it a rich blend of knowledge and beauty that presents the history, vision and intellectual journey of Madinat al-Hikmah.

He praised the contributions of Prof Dr Shabib-ul-Hasan, Tannaz Minawala, Nafeesa Rizvi, Malahat Kaleem Sherwani, Nizam Siddiqui, Naushad Alam and others who produced the book. He said universities should be centres of independent thought, research, dialogue and freedom of opinion.

Ms Sadia Rashid said the book reflected her father's vision and struggle. Recalling the early days, she said Madinat al-Hikmah was once barren land with difficult paths, but her father had imagined children playing there and educational institutions flourishing.

She acknowledged her mother's support and the efforts of former Hamdard MD Dr Navaid-ul-Zafar, saying the development had been a collective effort. She hoped the book would introduce the younger generation to Hakeem Said's ideas.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Imran Amin said transforming more than 300 acres of barren land into a green, thriving campus was not just about building a university, but establishing a centre of knowledge, research and service to humanity. He said Hamdard University was offering over 1,000 academic programmes and working to link research with practical and economic benefits.

Renowned scientist Dr Atta-ur-Rahman termed knowledge, research and human resources the foundations of national development and said Madinat al-Hikmah reflected Hakeem Said's commitment to serving humanity.

Former Karachi Commissioner Shafiq-ur-Rehman Paracha, Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, Hakeem Abdul Hannan and Dr Navaid-ul-Zafar also paid tribute to Hakeem Said's educational vision.

Among others present were MD/CEO Hamdard Pakistan Fatema Munir Ahmed, senior politician Nisar Khoro, DG Hamdard Foundation Farrukh Imdad, Registrar Syed Faizullah Jawad, COO Faisal Nadeem, Group Director HR Abutalib Bhutto and others.

A short documentary on Madinat al-Hikmah was also screened.   

(With input from PR) 



With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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