Angel of mercy

Abdul Sattar Edhi transcended social, ethnic and religious divisions to care for the needy and help the poor. He made humanity his religion and devoted his life to it.

Abdul Sattar Edhi, the most revered and loved philanthropist in Pakistan, died on July 8 this year at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of selflessness and love for humanity. He is domestically and internationally acclaimed for his social work.
His lifelong project, Edhi Foundation, is a non-profit social welfare programme that provides round-the-clock emergency assistance across Pakistan through more than 300 centres. For the last six decades, Edhi's clinics, ambulances, rehabilitation centres, and orphanages, have offered a safety net to the needy and wounded
in Pakistan.

In a world where money talks, Edhi selflessly cared for the vulnerable without asking for anything in return. He also ran the world's largest network of private ambulances (about 1,500) - a feat recognised by the Guinness World Records. His devotion and dedication to social service was so strong that people in the country had more faith in him than government services.
Edhi's long journey in social work began in the 1950s when the flu had gripped large parts of the port city of Karachi. "I saw people lying on the pavement... The flu had spread in Karachi, and there was no one to treat them. So I set up benches and got medical students to volunteer. I was penniless and begged for donations on the street. And people gave. I bought an 8-by-8 room to start my work," he had told the US-based National Public Radio in 2009.
Edhi initially established small drug dispensaries, and in 1957, set up a makeshift hospital to take care of the victims of flu epidemic. The first ambulance was bought in 1965 in the wake of a war with India in which Karachi was bombed. He collected body parts of dead civilians and organised dozens of funerals. "My heart became so hard after that I made humanity my religion and devoted my life to it," he said in an interview with Daily Times.
In a country that is deeply divided by sectarian differences and violence, Edhi showed people a way forward through his compassion and empathy. He cared for all, irrespective of their beliefs and religion, which, of course, irked many in the country but didn't deter him.
Fondly referred as the 'Father Teresa of Pakistan', Edhi was bestowed with many titles. Some of the popular ones include: A Great Servant of Humanity, Living Saint, and The Richest Poor Man.
He died of kidney failure at the age of 88. All his life, he spent his invaluable time, effort and every personal belonging for the service of the poor, and in his last hours he elevated himself to even higher stature by offering to donate his organs. However, only his corneas were considered suitable.
Edhi's love and popularity in Pakistan led the government to offer a state funeral, and a 19-gun salute. Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the country has lost 'a great servant of humanity' and declared July 10 as a national day of mourning.
His simple life full of idealism, hope, and determination will be an inspiration to many for years to come, not only in Pakistan, but globally, and his service and devotion to humankind will always be revered and respected.

International Awards Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service (1986) Lenin Peace Prize (1988) Paul Harris Fellow from Rotary International (1993) Peace Prize from the former USSR, for services during the Armenian earthquake disaster (1998) Hamdan Award for volunteers in Humanitarian Medical Services, UAE (2000) International Balzan Prize for Humanity, Peace and Brotherhood, Italy (2000) Peace and Harmony Award, India (2001) Peace Award, India (2004) Peace Award, India (2005) Wolf of Bhogio Peace Award, Italy (2005) Gandhi Peace Award, India (2007) Honorary doctorate from the Institute of Business Administration Karachi (2006) Peace Award, South Korea (2008) UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize (2009) Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize (2010)

- suneeti@khaleejtimes.com

• Pakistan

Suneeti Ahuja Kohli

• suneeti@khaleejtimes.com