After months of hard exertion, a 16.5-foot-long sculpture of humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi has been unveiled at Quetta’s Edhi Chowk in recognition of his contributions to the country.
The figure was constructed by artist Ishaq Lehri and was in the works for several months, according to anthropologist Sikandar Ali Hullio.
Ishaq Lehri, a Quetta-based artist, told SAMAA News that, “I wanted to pay a homage to Edhi for his great social efforts.”
“This sort of homage is inspirational since it defies the taboo of not sculpting and placing such masterpieces in public,” Hullio remarked, sharing photos of the monument.
According to Lehri, 16.5 feet long statue of great Edhi was completed in April of this year. However, it is unknown when the statue was installed in its current place.
Who was Edhi?
Abdul Sattar Edhi was born in 1928 and was a well-known humanitarian who founded the world’s largest volunteer ambulance service network and a great servant of humanity.
In 1947, Edhi along with his family moved to Pakistan. He committed his life to the needy when he was 20 years old, during a financial crisis in Karachi. After a lengthy illness, he died on July 8, 2016, in Karachi.
In his own words, Edhi “begged for donations” when he first started his job, and “people donated” generously with their private donations. His wife Bilquis Edhi also supported him in these humanitarian efforts and they also built Edhi Homes, Edhi Village and homeless shelters, for abandoned babies/unwanted babies and needy people.
A Spiritual Quest to Serve Humanity:
Starting from humble origins, the world’s most recognized social worker was recognized for staying true to his roots and devoting his entire efforts to humanitarian and social services.
Edhi Achievements:
Edhi received the following achievement in his life for serving humanity:
- 1986: Ramon Magsaysay Award for serving public
- 1989: Nishan-e-Imtiaz
- 1997: Edhi Foundation entered in the Guinness World Records being the “largest volunteer ambulance association”
- 2011: Firstly, the then Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani proposed Edhi’s name for the Nobel Peace Prize. Afterward, his name emerged on the Nobel list again as nominated by young Pakistani Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai.
- 2016: Beach Avenue on Seaview in Karachi has been renamed Abdul Sattar Avenue in loving memory of his legendary services to humanity.
- 2021: Google honored Abdul Sattar Edhi, as Pakistan’s “Angel of Mercy” on his 89th birth anniversary”.
Written by Maham Bashir
