Why Was Fatima Jinnah Revered As 'Mother Of The Nation' In Pakistan?

Fatima Jinnah was the younger sister of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and served as the Leader of the Opposition of Pakistan from 1960 until her death in 1967.

Fatima Jinnah, a close advisor to Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, emerged as a beacon of inspiration, empowering the women of the 1900s to break free from societal constraints and boldly participate in the struggle for independence against British rule. Her illustrious political career championed the cause of gender equality in pre-Partition India. Following Partition, her unwavering dedication to the newly formed nation of Pakistan laid the foundation for a generation of independent, empowered, and opinionated women.

First Female Dentist of Pre-Independent India

Fatima Jinnah was born on July 31, 1893 to Jinnahbhai Poonja and Mithibai. She was the youngest of seven siblings with Muhammad Ali Jinnah being her elder brother. Her father Jinnahbhai Poonja was a wealthy merchant who built his business Jinnahbhai & Co. from scratch. Their family belonged to the Gujarati-speaking family of the Lohana caste.

Jinnah's father passed away when she was only nine. Her elder brother Muhammad Ali Jinnah became her guardian, and she lived with him until his marriage to Rattanbai Petit. She attended the prestigious Dr R Ahmed Dental College at the University of Calcutta. Upon her graduation, she opened a dental clinic in Bombay in 1923. Fatima Jinnah was the first female dentist of pre-independent India.

Political Career Pre-Independence

Muhammad Ali Jinnah's wife Rattanbai Petit passed away in 1929, leaving their daughter Dina Jinnah behind. Fatima Jinnah moved to their household after closing her clinic in Bombay and became Dina's guardian.

In 1935, Muhammad Ali Jinnah campaigned for a separate nation for Indian Muslims. Fatima started actively participating while showing support for her brother's cause. She supported the Two-Nation Theory which eventually led to the partition and formation of Pakistan.

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Women's Association in Pakistan

Post-partition, Fatima Jinnah formed the women's organisation in the All India Muslim League. During this time, when women were confined to the shackles of the household, it was her leadership that helped the participation of women during the Pakistan movement. This movement was termed a women's movement. Wherein Jinnah opened educational institutes and provided training to women. Women in Lahore during the 1947 Civil Disobedience Movement against the United Government of Punjab Province were actively involved in protests.

1965 Pakistani Presidential Elections

As a candidate for Combined Associations Parties (COPP), Jinnah marked her return to politics in the 1960s. She contested elections against Ayub Khan, a Pakistani General. Jinnah described Khan as a dictator and in her early rallies, nearly 2,50,000 people came to see her in Dhaka. The crowds would hail her as Madar-e-Millat, (Mother of the Nation). Despite losing the elections, she won Karachi and Dhaka.

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Fatima Jinnah passed away on July 9, 1967 in Karachi. Her death was controversial, with many rumours suggesting a possible assassination. She was buried alongside her brother Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Mazar-e-Quaid. She received tremendous honours from the society upon her demise.

Fatima Jinnah stands as a timeless icon in the history of women’s empowerment. In Pakistan, she is revered as a national symbol, while in the annals of global history, she is celebrated as a trailblazer for gender equality. Over a century ago, she broke barriers by becoming the first female dentist in undivided India—a pioneering achievement that quietly marked the dawn of a monumental journey in advancing women’s rights.