News Desk |
Hamdard University Karachi organized a three-day book fair from 16th October to 18th October at Hamdard University Library, Karachi to commemorate one of the most influential scholars, thinkers, and philanthropists in Pakistan’s history, Hakim Muhammad Saeed Shaheed. The event was structured around various literary activities including a poetry recital.
Professor Dr. Pirzada Qasim, Chancellor of Ziauddin University and former Vice Chancellor of Karachi University, addressed the poetry recital and said that literary activities and Book fairs are a cultural and creative part of our society and they play a pivotal role in building a social mindset. He further said that every era has its blessings and ours brought us, Hakim Saeed.
Bait-al-Hikmah (the Library) is also a constituent part of Madinat-al-Hikmah. This is one of the biggest and best-stocked libraries in Pakistan.
“Hakim Saeed was a role model and a pharmacist who worked tirelessly for the health sector. He also worked towards the nurturing of the mindset of the society through education and that, only a true thinker and strategist can achieve”. He thanked the Hamdard University’s Chancellor Ms. Sadia Rashid, Professor Dr. Shabib Ul Hassan and Dr. Malahat Sherwani for organizing the event.
The event marked the 21st death anniversary of Hakeem Saeed. He was shot by unknown assailants on his way from a lecture on 17th October 1998. The former Governor of Sindh was a professor, thinker, and a philanthropist. He founded the Hamdard group of industries that have dealt with Eastern Medicinal research and products for the better part of a century.
Read more: The Immortal Hakim Saeed: Whose legacy is ‘knowledge’
To understand the force that was Hakim Saeed, here are some of his greatest initiatives and achievements:
Reinforcing Eastern Medicine: Hakim Saeed was the pioneer of Eastern Medicinal research in Pakistan. In Field Marshal Ayub Khan’s Era, Hakim Saeed used his influence to lobby for Eastern Medicine which coerced the Dictator to legalize the development of Eastern Medicine, a move which has served mankind to date.
Alternative Medicine Accepted Globally: Due to the rigorous efforts in his 50 year spanned career, Hakim Saeed was able to get Alternative medicine recognized from the World Health Organization.
Hakeem Saeed has left enough lessons for generations to come and Pakistan will always remember and value his contributions.
Hamdard University: In 1985, Hakim Saeed established the Karachi campus of Hamdard University and served as its first Vice Chancellor.
Madinat-al-Hikmah: The Crown Jewel in his collection of national contributions is the establishment of Madinat-al-Hikmah complex in Karachi. The complex, apart from research centers, has Hamdard University with institutes as Hamdard College of Medicine and Dentistry, Hamdard Al-Majeed College of Eastern Medicine, Hafiz Muhammad Ilyas Institute of Herbal Sciences, Hamdard Institute of Education & Social Sciences, Hamdard Institute of Management Sciences, Hamdard Institute of Information Technology, Hamdard School of Law, Faculty of Engineering Science & Technology, Hamdard Public School and Hamdard Village School. Bait-al-Hikmah (the Library) is also a constituent part of Madinat-al-Hikmah. This is one of the biggest and best-stocked libraries in Pakistan.
Literary Contributions: Dr. Hakim Saeed, a scholar in pharmacy, wrote, edited or compiled over 200 books and journals, both in Urdu and English, on Medicine, Health, Education, Pakistan, and Islam. He also edited some journals such as Hamdard Islamicus, Hamdard Medicus, Journal of the Pakistan Historical Society “Historicus” and Hamdard Sehat. For several years he was also the editor of Payami, the Urdu edition of UNESCO’S journal Courier.
Read more: ‘Mashroob-e-Mashriq, Rooh Afza, raises Pakistan’s flag in North America!
Hamdard Naunehal: Hakim Saeed was also the editor of Hamdard Naunehal, a monthly magazine for children that remained one of the most popular Children’s publications in Pakistan. Hamdard Naunehal integrated healthy lifestyle choices with fictional writing for children.
A beacon of knowledge, a product of determination, and a preacher of cultural values and consistency, Hakeem Saeed has left enough lessons for generations to come and Pakistan will always remember and value his contributions.