Freedom Fighters’ Gallery
Hasan Ali Effendi
by
Isam Hanif Majeed
Hasan Ali Effendi was born on August 14, 1830, in a respectable family of Akhunds in Hyderabad, Sindh. He lost his father at an early age and was brought up by his elder brother. Hasan Ali was enrolled in a Madrassa to read and study the Quran.
His ideology was different from the thoughts of the other Muslims. At the time, majority of Muslims kept themselves away from anything to do with the English language. Hasan Ali Effendi believed that language was merely a means of communication and had nothing to do with the people who spoke it. With this ideology, he strived and devoted his time towards learning the English language.
Once a British judge from Karachi was passing by and saw Hasan Ali reading an English book. This act of Hasan astonished the judge, as Muslims were not very fond of the English language. The judge offered Hasan a job as a translator and paid him a handsome salary.
Hasan soon proved to the British judge, how well educated he was. He was allowed to practice law in court, without a formal degree. At this time, there was not a single Muslim advocate in the entire province.
Hasan Ali was influenced by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and wanted to work on educating the people of Sindh. Hasan travelled to Aligarh, sought advice from Sir Syed, and then founded the Sindh Madrasatul Islam in 1885.
He also established the first Muslims girls’ school of Sindh on Marriot Road, Karachi.
He was known as the “Sir Syed of Sindh” because of his efforts to place Sindh on the educational map of the subcontinent. He passed away in August of 1896 in Hyderabad.
“It is up to you to work, work, and work and we are bound to succeed.” (Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision for every Pakistani)
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