Freedom Fighters’ Gallery
Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar
by
Isam Hanif Majeed
A courageous and a spirited leader – these are the best words to describe Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar. He was born in Rampur in 1878. At the age of five, his father passed away but that did not stop Muhammad Ali from getting a valuable education. He attended Aligarh University and later on went to study modern history at Lincoln College, Oxford.
Upon his return to India, he wrote articles in some of the most noteworthy British newspapers of that time, such as “The Manchester Guardian” and “The Times”. In 1911, he launched “The Comrade”, which quickly gained influence. It must be understood that penetration into the British society of that time was an impossible feat, because they saw nobody as their equals.
Maulana Muhammad Ali was part of the All India Muslim League and became the President of the party in 1918. When the British rejected Maulana Muhammad Ali’s plea of not deposing the caliph of Islam (Mustufa Kemal), the Khilafat Committee came into formation. This committee focused on boycotting and protesting against the British. In 1921, Muslims and Hindus came together in unity against the British. Maulana Muhammad Ali was then imprisoned for two years along with other influential figures.
Later, Muhammad Ali Johar left the Indian National Congress and opposed the Nehru Report. At this time, he stood by Muhammad Ali Jinnah and supported his fourteen points.
Muhammad Ali Johar faced frequent jail visits, as he used to protest openly against the British rule. Due to this, he started facing medical issues, with his health declining as the time passed. He still attended the First Round Table Conference; however, a year later, he passed away in London.
Maulana Muhammad Ali died in London and was buried in Bait-Al-Maqdas. During his illness, he willed that he would be buried in Bait-Al-Maqdas, as he did not want to return to a slave country.
“I have full faith in my people that they will rise to every occasion worthy of our past Islamic history, glory and traditions.” (Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision for every Pakistani)
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