Hakim Said’s legacy offers lessons for youth

Speakers highlight the importance of education, discipline, healthcare and service to humanity at memorial session

IV Report

KARACHI: Education, character-building, discipline and service to humanity were highlighted as key lessons from the life of Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said at a memorial session organised by Hamdard Foundation Pakistan in Karachi.

The joint session of Hamdard Shura Karachi and Hamdard Naunehal Assembly, held under the theme “A Lamp That Still Shines”, brought together senior members of the Shura and young speakers to reflect on Hakim Said’s contributions to healthcare, education and social welfare.

During a panel discussion with students, speakers shared examples from his life and emphasised the importance of developing good habits, pursuing knowledge and using professional skills to serve society.

Ms Sadia Rashid said Hakim Said’s daily routine reflected discipline and respect for time. He would wake up early, offer Tahajjud prayers, recite the Holy Quran and reflect before beginning his work. Exercise and tennis were also part of his routine, she said.

She stressed that education should go hand in hand with good upbringing, adding that children should begin learning discipline and good habits at home.

Professor Dr Jafar Ahmed said Hakim Said’s life demonstrated the value of pursuing a profession that also served as a personal passion. Medicine was both his profession and passion, enabling him to make significant contributions to healthcare, he said.

He also described Hakim Said as a social reformer who regarded schools and primary education as essential to improving society. Greater attention to school education and children's character-building was necessary for nation-building, he added.

Former senator Abdul Haseeb Khan recalled that Hakim Said began his working life with limited resources, establishing a small clinic in a room rented for Rs12 a month. His hard work, honesty and commitment to serving humanity helped lay the foundation for a major institution, he said.

Addressing young people, he urged them to develop strong character, maintain their relationship with Allah and make service to humanity a purpose in life. He also underscored the importance of a balanced diet, adequate sleep, regular routines and moderation in eating for a healthy life.

Earlier, Colonel (retd) Mukhtar Ahmed Butt, deputy speaker of Hamdard Shura, described October 17 as a dark day in the country's history, when Hakim Said was killed. He said the physician and philanthropist had devoted his abilities and resources to Pakistan's progress and public service.

Brigadier (retd) Tariq Khalil said Hakim Said had placed particular emphasis on children's education, training and encouragement, believing that young people needed opportunities to develop and contribute to society.

Young speakers Arfa Noor, Aiza Arsalan, Rahim bin Amir and Laiba Raza of Hamdard Village School also discussed his contributions to education and healthcare, describing him as a leader concerned about Pakistan's future and the role of knowledge and hard work in national progress.

Huma Baig and Kaleem Chughtai paid tribute to Hakim Said through poetry. Faisal Nadeem, chief operating officer of Hamdard Pakistan; Syed Muhammad Arsalan, director of Hamdard Foundation Pakistan; Hamdard University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Imran Amin; and others also attended the session.

The speakers called for carrying forward Hakim Said's emphasis on education, healthcare and welfare, particularly by nurturing responsible, disciplined and socially conscious young people.

Photos courtesy: Hamdard Foundation Pakistan

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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