The photograph shows (from l to r): Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director, Oxford University Press Pakistan; Air Marshal (Retd) M. Asghar Khan; Liaquat Merchant; Ardeshir Cowasjee; and Hajra Ahmad Ali Khan, who received the award on behalf of her late husband, Ahmad Ali Khan.
Karachi, 20 April: In a befitting tribute to the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Oxford University Press launched the book The Jinnah Anthology: Second Edition and The Jinnah Society presented the Jinnah Awards at a ceremony held at a local hotel.
The second edition of The Jinnah Anthology has been compiled and edited by Liaquat Merchant and Professor Sharif al Mujahidand published by Oxford University Press. It is a follow-up to the first edition of the book published in 1999 and contains much more extensive material on the Quaid. The present edition is a compilation of newly written and previously published essays, articles, excerpts, personal recollections and tributes by renowned authors and distinguished individuals worldwide, along with quotes, speeches, and statements of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, focusing on the character of Jinnah as a statesman and founder of Pakistan. This collector's item intends, primarily, to be a source of inspiration for the general reader and aims to re-emphasize Jinnah's vision, ideals, and principles relating to democracy, justice, equality, integrity, honesty, supremacy of the rule of law and rights of women and minorities. Through this volume, the editors of the book strive to document and celebrate the Quaid's life, his work, and achievements. The Jinnah Anthology is a presentation of The Jinnah Society as a nation-building exercise and with the intention of developing leadership in the role model of Jinnah.
Liaquat Merchant is the Administrator, Estate of Quaid-e-Azam; Managing Trustee, The Jinnah Foundation; Executive Trustee, Quaid-e-Azam Aligarh Education Trust; President, The Jinnah Society; and author of several publications on Jinnah, including the M. A. Jinnah CD ROM Project.
Professor Sharif al Mujahid is a renowned scholar of the Pakistan Movement and Jinnah. He is presently Distinguished National Professor, Higher Education Commission, Pakistan.
In recognition of their outstanding services rendered with the utmost integrity, dignity, and dedicated commitment to the cause of Pakistan, The Jinnah Society honoured Air Marshal (Retd) M. Asghar Khan, founder of Tehrik-i-Istiqlal, and Ahmad Ali Khan, former Editor-in-Chief of Dawn, with the Jinnah Award for 2006 and the Jinnah Award for 2007 respectively. The Jinnah Award for 2007 was presented posthumously to Ahmad Ali Khan. The Jinnah Society propagates the principles, ideals, and vision of the Quaid-i-Azam and confers one award each year to a distinguished citizen of Pakistan for his/her exemplary contribution to the country in his/her respective area of service. The selection of the candidates is done by a jury comprising the members of The Jinnah Society and the recipients of the award are chosen by a secret ballot. The Jinnah Awards have earlier been conferred upon Abdul Sattar Edhi, Hakeem Mohammad Saeed, Graham Layton, Dr Ruth Pfau, Dr Ishrat Hussain, and Dr Akhtar Hameed Khan.
The book launch and award ceremony was well-attended by diplomats, corporate heads, academics, and journalists. In her welcome address,Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director, Oxford University Press Pakistan, pointed out that this event gives us a chance to commemorate the life and work of a great man and as time goes by we realize how rare his qualities were and how infrequently history comes up with such a convergence of brilliant qualities. The highlight of the evening was Liaquat Merchant's multimedia presentation in which he spoke of the need to follow Jinnah's ideals, principles, and vision, and the need to encourage development of leadership in the role model of Jinnah. While giving an overview of The Jinnah Anthology, he showed rare and valuable photographs and video footage which generated immense interest among the audience. Addressing the gathering, the Keynote Speaker, Najam Sethi, Editor-in-Chief, The Friday Times, Daily Times, and Daily Aajkal, said that the book will prove to be an invaluable resource for academics, researchers, historians, and students and is essential reading for all those who seek to understand the visionary behind Pakistan's creation. The evening was brought to a close with Professor Sharif al Mujahid giving his concluding remarks about the book.
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