Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)
The Citizens Foundation (TCF), in collaboration with the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF), hosted an event, “Greatness of Spirit in Karachi: Book Launch & Magsaysay Laureate Reunion,” on April 25, 2024. This event commemorated the 65th anniversary of the Ramon Magsaysay Award and marked the launch of the seven-volume book series titled “GREATNESS OF SPIRIT: Stories of Love, Courage, and Service,” showcasing the inspiring lives of all 348 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s premier prize and highest honour, recognises the greatness of spirit shown in selfless service to the people of Asia—regardless of race, gender, or religion. There have been 12 laureates of the Award in Pakistan until now, which are Henry Holland and Ronald Holland, Akhter Hameed Khan, Abdul Sattar Edhi and Bilqis Bano Edhi, Shoaib Sultan Khan, Asma Jahangir, Syed Adibul Hasan Rizvi, Tasneem Ahmed Siddiqui, Ruth Pfau, Ibn Abdur Rehman, The Citizens Foundation (TCF) and Muhammad Amjad Saqib.
TCF, a recipient of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2014, was honoured to host this event a decade later in Karachi, Pakistan.
The occasion was graced by the presence of the Honourable Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, esteemed past awardees, distinguished representatives from RMAF, local educators, diplomats, and other notable figures, especially H.E. Maria Agnes M. Cervantes, Ambassador of the Philippines to Pakistan, and Ms. Sarah Mooney, British Deputy High Commissioner Karachi.
Commenting on the occasion, the Honourable Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, expressed his admiration for the remarkable achievements of TCF and the Ramon Magsaysay Awardees, highlighting their significant contributions to society.
He remarked, “I am grateful to The Citizens Foundation, who invited me here today to this event of ‘Greatness of Spirit; I am very humbled to be a part of this book launch of stories of love, courage and service.
We have been fortunate to work closely with so many organisations and people present here. We have built 500 schools in collaboration with TCF as well. So, I can say this on my behalf and that of the government of Sindh: resources will not be a problem if you ever need any assistance. The problem is finding people working for the right cause; this room is full of them. So, we look towards you for helping to help grow the people of this province and this country.”
In her opening remarks, the Chairperson of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, Ms. Cecilia Lazaro, hailed the Ramon Magsaysay Awardees from Pakistan as true heroes, acknowledging their unwavering dedication to fighting injustice and serving humanity with hope and optimism.
Mr Ahsan Saleem, Chairman of TCF, remarked, “The Ramon Award is a prestigious honour celebrating integrity, leadership, and service to the community. I’m humbled and grateful as TCF hosts this book launch in Karachi as part of the global unveiling of “Greatness of Spirit.”
President of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, Ms. Susanna B. Afan, emphasised the collective spirit of the awardees, stating, “In Pakistan, 12 men and women and one organisation have demonstrated through their lives and their works the values that the Award espouses. Collectively, we call these values GREATNESS OF SPIRIT. Their GREATNESS OF SPIRIT is evident through their resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder in addressing problems of human development – to forge partnerships, foster collaboration, and amplify their impact on a scale previously unimaginable.”
The event served as an invaluable platform to strengthen bonds between Pakistan and the Philippines, promoting fraternity and collaboration between the two nations.
