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The speakers at the 139th foundation day celebration of Sindh Madressatul Islam (SMI) held at Sindh Madressah University on Friday paid great tribute to the founder of SMI Khan Bahadur Hassanally Effendi and highlighted services of SMI in bringing fundamental changes in Sindh in the end of 19th century and in the 20th century. They also said SMIU is still not stagnant but it is progressing and evolving with the passage of time. 

Mr. Madad Ali Sindhi, Federal Education Minister in his presidential address said those persons who are torch bearers of the nation are alive. Likewise, the role of Hassanally Effendi is marvelous in founding a great institution- Sindh Madressatul Islam, that produced great leaders of the county including Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. 

The minister said although British did a good job in making Sindh a modern region but he, raising a question for historians said, he is still wonder that when British government established Bombay University, Kolkata University and Punjab University, then why they did not establish a university in Sindh? Adding to that Mr. Madad Ali Sindhi said in Sindh, at that time, Sindh Madressah, D.J. College, a college in Hyderabad, a college in Shikarpur and other schools and colleges were established by different communities privately. 

He said that our young generation must be informed about Khan Bahadur Hassanally Effendi’s services and of such personalities. “I have also an association with Sindh Madressah as my father had received his education from SMI in 1913,” the minister said and added that he feels proud to be here at this historic institution.  

He was of the view that we have forgotten Khan Bahadur Hassanally Effendi. Our scholars have ignored him too. He said the last abode of Khan Bahadur Hassanally Effendi in Hyderabad was in most deplorable condition, when he had last seen. “I am also member of the Heritage Committee of Sindh, thus we have included the resting place of Effendi in the heritage and I also have said to Sindh Culture Department to work for its preservation,” Madad Ali Sindhi said. 

Talking on standard of education in the country, the federal minister said that we have been lost the quality education on all levels, we must think on it. He informed that he has called an inter-provincial meeting of vice chancellors of the country next week. In it the matters related to education would be discussed.  

The federal minister announced 500 copies of books of the Pakistan Book Foundation for the Khan Bahadur Hassanally Effendi Library of SMIU. He appreciated services of Dr. Mujeeb Sahrai for organising the foundation day and inviting him.  

Dr. Mujeeb Sahrai, Vice Chancellor of SMIU in his address said Hassanally Effendi has not been given due importance in the history as his role was bigger than many people because he founded the most modern educational institution that produced founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and other leaders of the land. The vice chancellor said almost all prominent persons one or other way have been linked with Sindh Madressah, because it is a pioneer modern Muslim institution of Sindh.  

Dr. Mujeeb Sahrai further said we have upheld the legacy of Hassanally Effendy by developing SMIU as a modern university of the country. Highlighting the performance of SMIU he said three year ago there were only 1850 students at SMIU, now such figure has reached at 6000 students. Also SMIU’s budget has been increased from Rs.300 million to Rs.700 million in the last three years. He said SMIU also earning 46 percent of its budget from its resources. He thanked the guests who attended the event. 

Turkish Consul General in Karachi Mr. Cemal Sangu said that Hassanally Effendi was the first Consul General of Ottoman Empire in Sindh at Karachi. He said “Effendi” and “Bey” are two highest civilian awards of Türkiye and that were given to Hassanally Effendi by the Sultan of Ottoman Empire. He further said there is a historic relation between Türkiye and Pakistan. Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Moulana Rumi and Allama Iqbal are strengthening the relation of two nations. 

Dr. Tariq Rafi, Chairman Sindh HEC congratulated the vice chancellor Dr. Mujeeb Sahrai on organising the 139th foundation day. He also highlighted the role of Khan Bahadur Hassanally Effendi in modern education in the region. “Sindh Madressah University has upheld the legacy of quality education of Khan Bahadur Hassanally Effendi,” the chairman said. 

Senator Javed Jabbar in his speech said although Hassanally Effendi had become orphan in his childhood, but he acquired education not only in Arabic and Persian but he learned English language, because he had a vision and was witness of the British rule over here. He said Englishmen were arrogant and racist but Hassanally Effendi earned their confidence through his abilities. He said second half of the 19th century was difficult for Muslims of British India, and that conditions pushed Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Hassanally Effendi to launch education movement in respective parts of the subcontinent. 

Madam Mahtab Akbar Rashdi said it was the first time that Khan Bahadur Hassanally Effendi is being remembered on a big level. She said Hassanally Effendi was a great visionary who was loving his land and its people. He was not prejudice about any language, that is why he learned English and established English medium school- Sindh Madressatul Islam for Sindh’s people. 

Dr. Subhash Babu, Chairman of Department of Social and Development Studies, SMIU and noted historian Prof. Aijaz Qureshi highlighted the social impact of SMI on Sindh’s society. 

Earlier a cake cutting ceremony was held. Different groups of SMIU’s students presented theater, songs and tableaus. A documentary on life and struggle of Hassanally Effendi was also screened. Mr. Madad Ali Sindhi and Dr. Mujeeb Sahrai presented shields to the keynote speakers and guests of honour. The celebration was attended by dignitaries, writers, academicians, journalists, SMIU’s deans, chairperson, faculty, officers and students in a large number.  Ms. Sundas Nisar conducted the event.