Sir: There is indeed some sad news that I would like to share with all Pakistanis: one of our most unrecognised scholars died in ignominy in Miami, Florida on Monday, October 6, 2013. He was a prolific writer, well versed in a variety of fields. Dr Daud Rahbar was a son of the soil who equipped himself with all the necessary modern tools of research to update and upgrade religious and modern education needed for the development of a newly independent country. He was rebuffed every time he tried to come back and seek a reasonable post to serve his homeland. The well entrenched and deeply connected deadwood did not let this giant of an intellectual set foot in this country. So, for his survival, he half-heartedly accepted certain jobs at various institutions for much lower salaries in a number of countries. Along the way, his frustration and his injured ego haunted him all his life.
This personal tragedy seeped into his family life as he reluctantly and sometimes aimlessly moved from one country to another and from city to city in search of solace. Finally, after retiring from the faculty of Boston University, he settled in Florida. His ailing wife was moved to an old home. His only friend was a retired attorney, a Lahorite named Shamim Mirza. He used to mention being intentionally ignored by his country. All the decision makers in Pakistan personally knew him but still failed to provide him an opportunity to come back. All his writings depict his autobiographical sentiments in mild musical notes. All those who wish to see glimpses of his life should read his famous book, Pragangha Tabah Log. Let us all say a prayer for his soul to find peace.
MUKHTAR CHAUDHRY
Via e-mail