G. M. Syed (January 17, 1904 — April 25, 1995) (Sindhi: جی۔ ایم۔ سید) (abbreviation of Ghulam Murtaza Shah Syed; Arabic script: غلام مرتضی شاہ سید) was a Sindhi activist, revolutionary and sufi. He is known by people of Sindh as "Saeen" the honoured name, son of Syed Mohammed Shah Kazmi, descendant of a famous saint of Sindh, Syed Haider Shah Kazmi, of whose mausoleum, he is the sajjada nashin.
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Early life
He was born at the village Sann in Dadu District, Sindh, on January 17 1904 in British India (Pakistan) and died on April 25 1995. His father died when he was only sixteen months old. He has had no formal schooling. Whatever he learnt, was self-tutored. By dint of hard work, he attained mastery over Sindhi and English languages. He was also conversant with Arabic and Persian languages. History, Philosophy and Political science were his favorite subjects of study.
Political Activism
He was the founder of Sindh Awami Mahaz - which went on to join the National Awami Party (National Peoples Party) Along with Ibrahim Joyo G.M. Syed blended Sindhi nationalism with Communism and Sufism through the ideas of Gandhi and Marx.
Proseline
At an early age of fourteen years, he started his career as an activist. In 1919 he became Chairman of School Board of his own Tahsil. Subsequently, he was elected as a President of Karachi District Local Board in 1929. He later became its President. In 1930, he organized Sindh Hari (peasants) Conference and became its Secretary. In 1937, he was for the first time elected a member of Sindh Legislative Assembly. In 1938, he joined the All-India Muslim League. In 1940, he became Minister of Education in Sindh. In 1941, he became one of the members of the Central Committee of the Muslim League. In 1943, he became President of Sindh Muslim League. In 1944, he played a pivotal role in politics and got a resolution passed in the Sindh Assembly in favor of Pakistan, which was the pioneer resolution of its kind in the whole of undivided India. In 1946, conditions compelled him to dissociate from the Muslim League, and formed a new party named Progressive Muslim League. The same year he was elected as leader of the Coalition Party in the Sindh Assembly. In 1954, he acted as Chairman of Sindhi Adabi Board. In 1955, he played an active part in the formation of Pakistan National Party. In 1966, he founded Bazm-e-Soofia-e Sindh. In 1969, he formed Sindh United Front.
Literary Contribution
Mr. Syed is the author of more than sixty five (65) books. His books are on numerous subjects, ranging from literature to politics, religion and culture etc. He was himself a mystic had a lot of love and regard for mystics of all faiths. Besides being a man of immense learning, Mr. Syed possesses a personality that was graceful and poised. Highly cultured and refined manners, hospitality and geniality were the two glaring traits of his character. Wit and humor were the keynotes of his personality. He respected all genuine difference of opinions. For decades, Sindh and Sindhi people had constituted the center of his interest and activity, and all his love energies were devoted to their good. GM Syed proposed the Pakistan Resolution, 1940 in the Sindh Assembly, which ultimately resulted in the creation of Pakistan. However, he became the first political prisoner of Pakistan because of his differences with the leadership of the country, as he believed that they had deceived the Sindhis.
Jeay Sindh Movement
In 1971, disappointed with the national politics of Pakistan, GM Syed found no option but to demand the Right of Self Determination for the people of Sindh. In 1973 he founded the 'Jeay Sindh' movement which is aimed at establishing an independent Sindhi state ('Sindhu Desh'). For his bold expression of opinion and views after the creation of Pakistan, he has been kept either in jail-or in solitary confinement for the: period of more than 30 years. On 19 January 1992, GM Syed was put under house arrest and his house was declared a sub-jail. He has been detained without trial until his death and has been adopted "Prisoner of Conscience" by Amnesty International (ASA 33/WU02/94).
See also
External links
- Information about G M Syed
- G.M. Syed on the "Unity and Diversity of Religion"
- G M Syed - by: Sindhiana
- Jeay Sindh Movement
