Remembering Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said

Members of the Hamdard Shura Karachi chapter and young speakers of the Hamdard Naunehal Assembly paid glowing tribute to Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said, the renowned physician, philanthropist, and visionary social reformer, at a memorial event held at a local hotel to mark his martyrdom anniversary on October 17.

The event, themed “Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said and Service to Humanity,” was presided over by Ms. Sadia Rashid, President of Hamdard Foundation Pakistan, and attended by intellectuals, scholars, and students who reflected on Hakim Said’s extraordinary contributions to the nation.

Addressing the gathering, Gen (r) Moinuddin Haider, Speaker of Hamdard Shura, described Hakim Mohammed Said as a paragon of integrity, simplicity, and selfless service. “If today’s youth need a true role model, it is undoubtedly Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said,” he said. “He was a man of conscience and vision who established Hamdard Pakistan on the principles of ethics, education, health, and patriotism.” He added that Hakim Said believed children were the nation’s future and devoted his life to nurturing their intellectual and moral development.

Haider praised institutions such as Madinat al-Hikmah, Hamdard Naunehal Assembly, Hamdard Public School, and Hamdard Village School as living symbols of Hakim Said’s foresight. “These institutions continue to enlighten society with knowledge and wisdom,” he said. “The tragic day of 17 October 1998 will always remain etched in history when the nation lost a great benefactor — a true son of Pakistan whose mission continues through the Hamdard Foundation’s humanitarian work.”

Col (r) Mukhtar Ahmed Butt, Deputy Speaker of Hamdard Shura Karachi, reflected on October as a month of national sorrow, recalling that both Quaid-e-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan and Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan were also lost in this month. He said that Hakim Mohammed Said’s decision to migrate to Pakistan after its creation and start anew from a small clinic in Karachi reflected his unshakable commitment to the country. “The name ‘Hamdard’ itself speaks of his deep love for the nation and his empathy for its people,” he said. “Even on the day of his martyrdom, Hakim Said was on his way to treat patients — a testament to his lifelong service to humanity.”

Professor Dr Hakim Abdul Hannan highlighted Hakim Said’s contribution to promoting traditional medicine, saying his tireless efforts brought Tibb-e-Unani to international recognition. “It is because of his vision that Pakistan’s herbal pharmaceutical industry today stands as an organised and respected sector,” he said.

The young members of the Hamdard Naunehal Assembly — including Maryam Fatima, Ayesha Fawad, and Syed Shuja — also honoured Hakim Said’s memory, describing him as a man who lived by the teachings of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). They said his life was a true reflection of Islam’s message of compassion, and his martyrdom was not just a personal tragedy but a loss to Pakistan’s intellectual and moral heritage.

Faisal Nadeem, COO of Hamdard Pakistan, and Dr Rizwana Ansari also addressed the event, while poets Huma Baig and Kaleem Chughtai recited verses in tribute to Hakim Said. Students of Hamdard Public School performed a stage sketch illustrating his life of service, and the ceremony concluded with the recitation of “Dua-e-Said” by students of Hamdard Public and Hamdard Village Schools, symbolising the continuation of his mission to enlighten and serve humanity.