NATION OR CROWD
Begum Shaista Ikramullah (1915–2000) was one of Mr. Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s most dedicated supporters. She worked under his leadership and served as a member of Pakistan’s Constituent Assembly from 1947 to 1954. She also served as Pakistan’s ambassador to Morocco from 1964 to 1967, among other roles.
In the May 1991 issue of Reader’s Digest, she wrote an article about Mr. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, sharing various memories of him. She mentioned that, initially, the Muslims of India were not aligned with the Muslim League. However, under Mr. Jinnah’s leadership, the 1945-46 elections saw the Muslim League secure 85% of the Muslim seats in Indian states.
She also recalled how the Quaid (Mr. Jinnah) often said, “The Quaid used to say that he had fashioned a nation out of a mob. Today, seeing all our internal squabbles, I sometimes think that we have gone back to being a mob.”
Many people mistake gathering at rallies for true unity. However, such gatherings only show a temporary coming together of a crowd, nothing more. Turning a crowd into a united nation is very different from a rally or procession. Genuine unity happens when people, on a deeper level, develop a shared mindset and build stable character within themselves. They should be willing to support each other, setting aside their differences. Unity arises when individuals go beyond personal interests and live for higher human goals. True unity is seen in everyday life, not just in temporary rallies or processions.
