Article : The Strength of Ali Brothers
Written By: Umm-E-Habiba
In 1850, a girl was born in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, whose parents named her Abadi Bano Begum.Ethnically, these people were pathans who settled in Uttar Pradesh many generations ago. The girl was not allowed to get education according to the mores of that era. She was married to Abdul Ali Khan and had six children with one daughter and five sons. She was only 27 years old when her husband died, leaving her and six children alone and that is where her struggle began. She had a strong passion and deliration to get her children the modern education. For this purpose, she send her children to Aligarh Muslim University and after that to Oxford, England by selling her jewelry. Remember, these people were impoverished and it was very difficult for poor people to go to the other province at that time. Mostly, children of nawab, rajas and the traders were used to go to Oxford, England for education. Both of her sons came from England and launched "The Comrade", a weekly English-language newspaper between 1911 and 1914. They became famous in the world as Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar and Maulana Shaukat Ali that later known as Ali Brothers. They used to write against British openly and make speeches. Both of them were finally imprisoned by the British government and sent to Karachi. They were put on a coup case in the famous Khalik Deena Hall of Karachi. While both of her sons were in jail, this old lady crusade the Pakistan's Movement and made speeches in the breadth of the country to spreed the message of freedom. Along with her sons, they were in the forefront in Khilafat Movement.
بولی اماں محمد علی کی
جان بیٹا خلافت پہ دے دو
ساتھ تیرے ہیں شوکت علی بھی
جان بیٹا خلافت پہ دے دو
At that time people knew her as " Bi Amman". In her speech at Jamia Millia Islamia, Bi Amman said that I had seen my flag descending from the red fort in Delhi. Today there is an English flag and I wish I could see this flag coming down.
Ali brothers talked about their mother that although, she was practically illiterate but we have learned much from our mother. Bi Amman left with a dream of independence. Even her sons could not see independence but today the whole subcontinent knows and values Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar and Maulana Shaukat Ali. There was a personality behind them named as Bi Amman of Ali Brothers, the determined woman that made them as bright as day by her adeptness and competence.Although, Bi Amman did not have any formal education but was intensely convinced of the advantages of modern education. And that is why this determined woman adorned her children with the light of education.
All these reveal the importance of education, especially of women as they have a crucial role in the upbringing of children. An illiterate mother cannot train her children in the way an educated mother can. It not overs here, there are many other positive effects also that are often been ignored. It is the basic right of everyone that include women also. Women form a large part of our population and if they remain illiterate, it will be our huge loss. When women participate in education on equal grounds, it will not develope a superiority complex among males. It will make them financially independent and confident. But unfortunately, in Pakistan, like many other Muslim countries, female suffer gender discrimination. Although, situation is better now to some extent, but still there is religious, tribunal and feudal influence on women's lives mostly in rural areas. There are certain issues that terminate female's access to education. They face harassment in every walk due to which they do not get permission for education by there family. Also, lack of family support and narrow- minded attitudes of the people blocked their way of getting education. They are not allowed for higher education because it is thought that they will join coeducation, will interact with males and will raise their voice against family norms. Therefore, parents get married their daughters as early as possible after reaching the age of puberty. After marriage, they are restricted to household affairs under the four walls. They are considered nothing but a birth-giver, domestic and submissive.
Nations do not progress if a part of its population is completely neglected in the development process. For this, women's education is necessary, and it should be made possible only by developing effective gender strategies and ensuring equality in access to education. We need to change our approach towards female education. Instead of stopping girls from going outside, we need to teach our boys to behave well. Moreover, educational institutions should be made safe and secure to female students and teachers. Because of financial issues, many families cannot afford the expenses of higher education and they end up marrying their daughters. Therefore, government should arrange for scholarships for them so that they may continue their pursuit of education. In order to ensure development of our nation, we need to believe in quality education, not only of men but also of women. As Dr. James Kwegyir Aggrey ( famous African intellectual, missionary and teacher in 1875-1927) rightly said; "If you educate a man you educate an indiviual, but if you educate a woman you educate a family(nation)."
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