Fatima Jinnah
Fatima Jinnah (31 July 1893 – 9 July 1967) was a Pakistani politician and stateswoman. She was the younger sister of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder and the first governor-general of Pakistan. She was the Leader of the Opposition of Pakistan from 1960 until her death in 1967.
Madar-e-Millat Khatun-e-Pakistan Fatima Jinnah فَاطِمَہْ جِنَاحْ | |
|---|---|
Fatima Jinnah | |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 1 January 1960 – 9 July 1967 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Nurul Amin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 31 July 1893 Kathiawar, Bombay Presidency, British India (Now, Gujarat, India) |
| Died | 9 July 1967 (aged 73) Karachi, West Pakistan, Pakistan (Now, Sindh, Pakistan) |
| Political party | All-India Muslim League (1947) Muslim League (1947–1958) Independent (1960–1967) |
| Relations | See Jinnah family |
| Parent(s) | Jinnahbhai Poonja Mitthibhai Jinnah |
| Alma mater | Calcutta University (D.D.S) |
| Occupation | Dental surgeon, stateswoman |
After obtaining a dental degree from the University of Calcutta in 1923, then she became the first female dentist of undivided India; she also became a close associate and an adviser to her older brother, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who later became the first Governor General of Pakistan. After the independence of Pakistan, Jinnah co-founded the Pakistan Women's Association which played an integral role in the settlement of the women migrants in the newly formed country. She remained the closest confidant of her brother until his death. After his death, Fatima was banned from addressing the nation until 1951; her 1951 radio address to the nation was heavily censored by the Liaquat administration. She wrote the book My Brother, in 1955 but it was only published 32 years later, in 1987, due to censorship by the establishment, who had accused Fatima of "anti-nationalist material." Even when published several pages from the book's manuscript were left out. Jinnah came out of her self-imposed political retirement in 1965 to participate in the presidential election against president Muhammad Ayub Khan. Despite winning the popular vote, Jinnah lost the electoral college to Ayub Khan.
Jinnah died in Karachi on 9 July 1967. Her death is subject to controversy, as some reports have alleged that she died of unnatural causes. Her family members had demanded an inquiry, however the government blocked their request. She remains one of the most honoured leaders in Pakistan, with nearly half a million people attending her funeral in Karachi.
Her legacy is associated with her support for civil rights. She is commonly known as Madar-e-Millat ("Mother of the Nation") and Khatun-e-Pakistan ("Lady of Pakistan"), many institutions and public spaces in Pakistan have been named in her honour.