It’s no wonder we want to obseve this important day every year....
PAKISTAN DAY
Lahore Resolution, passed on 23 March in 1940, was a turning point In the history of the Muslims’ struggle for an independent homeland. Seven years and unimaginable sacrifices later, Pakistan came into being. It’s no wonder we want to obseve this important day every year.
What it’s like…
We celebrate with fireworks, blaring horns and strewn flags on roads. It seems like the day is a mere excuse for people to be wild. It does nothing to show our love for our country and it’s heartbreaking to see that it is mostly the youth who are involved in this. If we had even a droplet of passion for our motherland we would have been soaring in the skies. Why have the Western nations progressed more despite us having the benefit of our Prophet’s (SAW) teachings? It’s because they are crazy with passion. This is exactly what we are lacking.
I believe that educational institutions have a definite role to play in this regard. I have lived in the United Arab Emirates for the first decade of my life, and they are very passionate about their “bilaad”. On 2nd December, their National Day, all students dress up in the colors of the flag and they hold poster and model-making contests, dances, plays, games and marathons, all organized by the school management. Students brim with patriotism, even the non-local ones. The young people of Pakistan need to become patriotic, too.
The problems…
Our educational system isn’t doing its part. As a result, students study for their personal gains only. People don’t care about their homeland, and their upbringing must be blamed for it. Parents encourage their children to become doctors or engineers just because they are well paying jobs. Gone are the days when the only wish of parents was to have their children join the army and to serve the nation. Except for those who send them believing their child is capable of nothing else.
There is still hope…
The greatest example of patriotism is Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah who single handedly led the Muslims to their freedom. He told the youth that;
“Pakistan is proud of her youth, particularly the students who have always been in the forefront in the hour of trial and need. You are the nation’s leaders of tomorrow and you must fully equip yourself by discipline, education and training for the arduous task lying ahead of you. You should realize the magnitude of your responsibility and be ready to bear it.” - Punjabi Muslim Students Federation at Lahore on October 31, 1947.
It is our role, as the youth, to make sure that the next generation knows who they are and what their purpose is. We must change the perspective of the youth and the parents so they know their priorities. Everything from keeping the road clean to starting NGOs and fighting for Pakistan with passion is serving the nation. Through social media, youth has become aware enough to do for their nation what others are doing for theirs. Moreover, the government should provide resources to these young minds to achieve that. And, most importantly, we must remember the noble teachings of Islam. Only then will we start our journey on the yellow brick road towards prosperity.
