View source for Abdul Sattar Edhi

{{Short description|Pakistani philanthropist (1928-2016)}}
{{Redirect|Edhi|other uses|Edhi (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific suffix   = [[Nishan-e-Imtiaz|NI]] [[Lenin Peace Prize|LPP]] [[Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize|AMPP]]
| name               = Abdul Sattar Edhi
| image              = Abdul Sattar Edhi.jpg
| caption            = Edhi, c. 2009
| native_name        = {{nq|عبد الستار ایدھی}}
| native_name_lang   = ur
| alt                = 
| birth_date         = {{birth date|1928|2|28|df=y}}<ref name="DawnNews">{{Cite news|last=Alam |first=Mukhtar|title=KARACHI: IBA awards doctorate to Sattar Edhi|newspaper=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|date=12 November 2006 |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/218533/karachi-iba-awards-doctorate-to-sattar-edhi|access-date=24 July 2022}}</ref><ref name="dawn/8july2016" />
| birth_place        = [[Bantva]], [[Bantva Manavadar]], [[British Raj|British India]]
| death_date         = {{death date and age|2016|7|8|1928|2|28|df=yes}}
| death_place        = [[Karachi]], [[Sindh]], [[Pakistan]]
| resting_place      = Edhi Village, Karachi
| resting_place_coordinates = {{coord|25.05|N|67.49|E|display=inline,title}}
| other_names        = Angel of Mercy<ref name="thestar.com">{{cite news|first=Munir|last=Ahmed|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2016/07/08/pakistans-legendary-angel-of-mercy-abdul-edhi-dies-aged-88.html|title=Pakistan's legendary 'Angel of Mercy' Abdul Edhi dies at age 88|work=Toronto Star|date=8 July 2016|access-date=8 July 2016}}</ref><br>The Richest Poor Man<ref name="tribune.com.pk">{{cite news|first=Hassan|last=Khan|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1092988/the-richest-poor-man/|title=Edhi: The richest poor man|work=The Express Tribune|date=26 April 2016|access-date=1 April 2020}}</ref>
| spouse             = {{marriage|[[Bilquis Edhi]]|1965}}
| children           = 4
| awards             = {{plainlist|
* [[Lenin Peace Prize]] (1988)
* [[Bacha Khan]] Peace Award (1990)
* [[Nishan-e-Imtiaz]] (1989)
* Wolf of Bhogio Peace Award (2005)<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kohli|first=Suneeti Ahuja|title=Angel of mercy|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/international/pakistan/angel-of-mercy|access-date=2020-12-07|website=Khaleej Times|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize]] (2010)
}}
| website            = {{URL|edhi.org}}
| signature          = 
| footnotes          = 
| organization       = [[Edhi Foundation]]
}}
'''Abdul Sattar Edhi''' {{Small|[[Nishan-e-Imtiaz|NI]] [[Lenin Peace Prize|LPP]]}} ({{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|عبد الستار ایدھی}}}};  28 February 1928<ref name="Aljazeera">{{Cite web |date=28 February 2017 |title=Abdul Sattar Edhi: Why Google honours him today |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2017/2/28/abdul-sattar-edhi-why-google-honours-him-today |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250513144119/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2017/2/28/abdul-sattar-edhi-why-google-honours-him-today |archive-date=13 May 2025 |access-date=3 July 2019 |website=[[Al Jazeera English]] |language=en}}</ref> – 8 July 2016)<ref name="DawnNews" /><ref name="theguardian/13july2016" /><ref name="dawn/8july2016">{{cite news |date=8 July 2016 |title=Celebrated humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi passes away in Karachi |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1267583 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250413112315/https://www.dawn.com/news/1267583 |archive-date=13 April 2025 |access-date=28 February 2017 |work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |language=en}}</ref> was a Pakistani [[Humanitarianism|humanitarian]], [[Philanthropy|philanthropist]] and [[Asceticism|ascetic]] who founded the [[Edhi Foundation]], which runs the world's largest volunteer ambulance network,<ref name="Aljazeera" /> along with [[homeless shelter]]s, [[animal shelter]]s,<ref>{{cite news|title=KARACHI: Animal care still a distant dream|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/312769|access-date=20 August 2017|work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|date=22 July 2008}}</ref> [[Psychiatric rehabilitation|rehabilitation centres]], and [[orphanage]]s across Pakistan.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last1= |first1= |date=8 July 2016 |title=Celebrated humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi passes away in Karachi |work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1267583 |access-date=9 July 2016}}</ref>

Edhi's charitable activities expanded greatly in 1957 when [[1957–1958 influenza pandemic|an Asian flu epidemic]] originating in [[China]] swept through Pakistan and the rest of the world. Donations allowed him to buy his first ambulance the same year. He later expanded his charity network with the help of his wife [[Bilquis Edhi]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/09/world/middleeast/abdul-sattar-edhi-pakistans-father-teresa-dies-at-88.html?_r=0|title=Abdul Sattar Edhi, Pakistan's 'Father Teresa,' Dies at 88|date=8 July 2016|work=The New York Times|last1=Masood|first1=Salman|access-date=9 July 2016}}</ref> Following his death, his son Faisal Edhi took over as head of the Edhi Foundation.

Over his lifetime, the Edhi Foundation expanded, backed entirely by private donations from Pakistani citizens across class, which included establishing a network of 1,800 ambulances. By the time of his death, Edhi was registered as a parent or guardian of nearly 20,000 [[Adoption|adopted]] children.<ref name="theguardian/13july2016">{{cite news |last1=Boone |first1=Jon |date=13 July 2016 |title=Abdul Sattar Edhi obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/13/abdul-sattar-edhi-obituary |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250705053225/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/13/abdul-sattar-edhi-obituary |archive-date=5 July 2025 |access-date=28 February 2017 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref> He is known amongst Pakistanis as the "Angel of Mercy" and is considered to be Pakistan's most respected and legendary figure.<ref name="thestar.com" /><ref name="BBCobit">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36752208|title=Pakistani philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi dies aged 88|work=BBC News|date=9 July 2016|access-date=9 July 2016}}</ref> In 2013, ''[[HuffPost|The Huffington Post]]'' claimed that he might be "the world's greatest living humanitarian".<ref>[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/06/abdul-sattar-edhi_n_3223839.html The World's Greatest Living Humanitarian May Be From Pakistan], ''The Huffington Post''. Retrieved 24 March 2016</ref>

Edhi maintained a hands-off management style and was often critical of the corruption commonly found within the religious organizations, [[Mullah|clergy]] and [[Politics of Pakistan|politicians]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dailytimes.com.pk/opinion/18-Jul-16/edhi-the-ordinary-man-who-was-extraordinary-ii|title=Dailytimes {{!}} Edhi: the ordinary man who was extraordinary — II|website=dailytimes.com.pk|date=17 July 2016|access-date=14 August 2016}}</ref> He was a strong proponent of religious tolerance in Pakistan and extended his support to the victims of [[Hurricane Katrina]] and the [[1983–1985 famine in Ethiopia|1985 famine in Ethiopia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/abdul-sattar-edhi-a-life-bigger-than-accolades/a-19243405|title=Abdul Sattar Edhi – A life bigger than accolades {{!}} Asia {{!}} DW.COM {{!}} 8 July 2016|last=(www.dw.com)|first=Deutsche Welle|website=DW.COM|access-date=14 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/07/12/national/edhi-foundation-gave-100000-for-katrina-relief-efforts-us-ambassador/|title=Edhi Foundation gave $100,000 for Katrina relief efforts: US ambassador|access-date=14 August 2016}}</ref> He was nominated several times for the [[Nobel Peace Prize]]. Edhi received several domestic as well as international awards such as [[Ramon Magsaysay Award]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/07/pakistan-humanitarian-abdul-sattar-edhi-dies-160708184523940.html|title=Pakistan's humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi dies|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=9 July 2016}}</ref> and the [[UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/02/28/abdul-sattar-edhi-89-birthday-pakistan-angel-of-mercy-father-teresa/|title=Abdul Sattar Edhi, Pakistan's 'Father Teresa' who 'adopted' 20,000 children|work=The Telegraph|access-date=26 June 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref>

He died in July 2016 and was buried with full [[State funeral|state honours]].

== Early life ==
Edhi was a [[Mahajir (Pakistan)|Gujarati Muhajir]] born into a [[Memon people|Memon]] [[Muslims|Muslim]] family in [[Bantva]], Gujarat, India. He publicly expressed that he was not a "very religious person", and that he was "neither for religion or against it".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Boone|first=Jon|date=2016-07-13|title=Abdul Sattar Edhi obituary|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/13/abdul-sattar-edhi-obituary|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108113000/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/13/abdul-sattar-edhi-obituary|archive-date=8 November 2020|access-date=2020-12-07|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> On his faith, he stated that he was a "[[Humanitarianism|humanitarian]]", telling others that "empty words and long phrases do not impress [[God]]" and to "show Him your faith" through action.<ref>{{cite news |title=Profile: He Works Wonders in Pakistan: 'I am just a simple man,' Abdul Sattar Edhi says. 'A simple man trying to bring a social revolution. . . .' |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-03-30-wr-17064-story.html |newspaper=[[LA Times]] |date=30 March 1993 |quote=Edhi says he is a Muslim--but adds that human rights is his real religion.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Rashid|first=Bilal|date=2019-02-02|title=No Religion is Higher than HUMANITY: Abdul Sattar Edhi|url=https://medium.com/@bilal.rashid100/no-religion-is-higher-than-humanity-abdul-sattar-edhi-250af349ea6c|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207015940/https://medium.com/@bilal.rashid100/no-religion-is-higher-than-humanity-abdul-sattar-edhi-250af349ea6c|archive-date=7 December 2020|access-date=2020-12-07|website=Medium|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Valiji|first=Asif|date=10 July 2016|title=Abdul Sattar Edhi - What Do All Religions Have In Common?|url=https://www.legends.report/abdul-sattar-edhi-what-do-all-religions-have-in-common/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731062149/https://www.legends.report/abdul-sattar-edhi-what-do-all-religions-have-in-common/|archive-date=31 July 2016|access-date=2020-12-07|website=Legends Report|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Macphail|first=Cameron|date=2017-02-28|title=Abdul Sattar Edhi, Pakistan's 'Father Teresa' who 'adopted' 20,000 children|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/02/28/abdul-sattar-edhi-89-birthday-pakistan-angel-of-mercy-father-teresa/|url-status=live|access-date=2020-12-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041305/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/02/28/abdul-sattar-edhi-89-birthday-pakistan-angel-of-mercy-father-teresa/|archive-date=12 November 2020|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> His mother had brought him up teaching love and care for humans.

== Edhi Foundation and Bilquis Edhi Trust ==
Edhi dedicated his life to aiding the poor. Over the course of sixty years, he single-handedly changed the face of [[welfare spending|welfare]] in [[Pakistan]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mahanta |first=Vinod |title=Pakistan's Edhi ambulance service: Symbol of compassion in the troubled nation |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/pakistans-edhi-ambulance-service-symbol-of-compassion-in-the-troubled-nation/articleshow/11209869.cms |access-date=2023-01-10}}</ref> He founded the [[Edhi Foundation]].<ref name=" Aljazeera"/> Edhi was known for his [[Asceticism|ascetic]] lifestyle, owning only two pairs of clothes, never taking salary from his organization, and living in one room with kitchenette at the Foundation's headquarters in the heart of Karachi.<ref name="BBCobit"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/07/08/abdul-sattar-edhi-he-was-a-hero-to-pakistans-poor-and-needy/|title=Abdul Sattar Edhi: He was a hero to Pakistan's poor and needy|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=9 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/pakistan-philanthropist-abdul-sattar-edhi-dies/3410016.html|title=Renowned Pakistani Philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi Dies at 88|work=Voice of America|date=8 July 2016 |access-date=9 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Pakistani Humanitarian|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2011/08/19/august-19-2011-pakistani-humanitarian/9311/|website=pbs.org|date=19 August 2011}}</ref> Additionally, his previously established welfare trust, named the Edhi Trust, was restarted with an initial sum of [[Pakistani rupee|Rs.]]5000. The trust was later renamed after his wife as the [[Bilquis Edhi]] Trust.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-13 |title=Edhi Foundation Largest Pakistan's Welfare Trust - History, Services, and Everything You Need to Know |url=https://startuppakistan.com.pk/edhi-foundation-largest-pakistans-welfare-trust-history-services-and-everything/ |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=Startup Pakistan |language=en-US}}</ref> Widely regarded and respected as a guardian and savior for the poor, Edhi began receiving numerous donations which allowed him to expand his services. As of 2016, the Edhi Foundation continues to grow in both size and service and currently remains the largest welfare organization in Pakistan. Since its inception, the Edhi Foundation has rescued over 20,000 abandoned [[infant]]s, [[Rehabilitation (penology)|rehabilitated]] over 50,000 [[orphan]]s, and has trained over 40,000 [[Nursing|nurses]].<ref name="Radio Pakistan">{{cite web|author=Web Desk|url=http://www.radio.gov.pk/08-Jul-2016/edhi-in-critical-condition-shifted-to-ventilator|title=ABDUL SATTAR EDHI LAID TO REST IN KARACHI|publisher=Radio Pakistan|date=9 July 2016|access-date=9 July 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710140925/http://www.radio.gov.pk/08-Jul-2016/edhi-in-critical-condition-shifted-to-ventilator|archive-date=10 July 2016}}</ref> It also runs more than 330 welfare centres throughout rural and urban Pakistan that operate as [[Soup kitchen|food kitchens]], rehabilitation homes, [[Women's shelter|shelters for abandoned women and children]], and clinics for the mentally and physically challenged.<ref>{{cite web|author=Web Desk|url=http://nation.com.pk/national/09-Jul-2016/serving-from-cradle-to-death|title= Serving from cradle to death | publisher=The Nation News Paper |date=9 July 2016 |access-date=9 July 2016}}</ref>

The Edhi Foundation is funded entirely by private donations and full services are offered to people irrespective of ethnicity, religion or status.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Abdul-Sattar-Edhi|title=Abdul Sattar Edhi {{!}} Pakistani humanitarian|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=10 June 2018|language=en}}</ref> It runs the world's largest volunteer ambulance service (operating over 1,500 of them) and offers 24-hour emergency services. It also operates free [[nursing home]]s, [[orphanage]]s, [[clinic]]s, women's shelters, and rehabilitation centres for drug addicts and the mentally ill.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1221986.stm |title=Pakistan's saviour of the desperate |work=BBC News |date=15 March 2001 |access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> Outside of its main base of operations in Pakistan, the Edhi Foundation has run relief operations in [[South Asia]], the [[Middle East]], [[Africa]], the [[Caucasus|Caucasus region]], [[Eastern Europe]], and the [[United States]]. In 2005, the foundation donated [[United States dollar|US$]]100,000 to relief efforts after [[Hurricane Katrina]]'''''.'''''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://pk.usembassy.gov/statement-american-ambassador-david-hale-passing-abdul-sattar-edhi/|title=Statement of American Ambassador David Hale on the Passing of Abdul Sattar Edhi {{!}} U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Pakistan|date=11 July 2016|work=U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Pakistan|access-date=10 June 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> As of 2020, the Foundation has international head offices present in the [[United States]], [[United Kingdom]], [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Canada]], [[Australia]], [[Nepal]], [[Bangladesh]], [[India]] and [[Japan]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Organizational Chart – Edhi Welfare Organization|url=https://edhi.org/organizational-chart/|access-date=2020-07-15|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2004, Edhi and his organization ran into trouble with [[Pakistan and state-sponsored terrorism|Pakistani militants]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Muttahida denies Edhi's allegations |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/374744 |website=Dawn News|date=22 November 2004 }}</ref> In 2014, the foundation was targeted and robbed of approximately US$500,000 and has been the victim of [[Right-wing politics|right-wing]] attacks and competition from [[Terrorism in Pakistan|Pakistan's militant far-right]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/01/pakistan-charity-abdul-sattar-edhi-foundation-karachi|title='They call him an infidel': Pakistan's humble founder of a charity empire|last=Boone|first=Jon|date=1 April 2015|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=10 June 2018}}</ref>

===Travel issues===
In the early 1980s, Edhi was arrested by [[Israel Defense Forces|Israeli troops]] while he was entering [[Lebanon]]. In 2006, he was detained by authorities in [[Toronto]], [[Canada]], for over sixteen hours. In January 2008, [[United States|U.S.]] [[U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement|immigration officials]] at the [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]] in [[New York City]] investigated him for over eight hours after seizing his passport and other documents. When asked by media officials about the frequent detentions, Edhi said: "The only explanation I can think of is my [[Islamic clothing|beard and my dress]]." His [[Airport racial profiling in the United States|appearance in traditional Pakistani clothing and a long beard]] made him appear visibly [[Muslims|Muslim]] and therefore, in a [[post-9/11]] climate, prompted U.S. and Canadian travel authorities to keep him for additional questioning.<ref name=BBCNews>{{Cite news | last = Khan
 | first = M Ilyas
 | title = Pakistan aid worker stuck in US
 | work =BBC News
 | date = 29 January 2008
| url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7215145.stm
 | access-date = 25 March 2016}}</ref>

==Life in Karachi==
In 1965, Edhi married [[Bilquis Edhi|Bilquis Bano]], a [[Nursing|nurse]] who worked at an Edhi Trust [[dispensary]].<ref name="Richard Covington">{{cite book|title=What Matters: The World's Preeminent Photojournalists and Thinkers Depict Essential Issues of Our Time|publisher=Sterling Publishing|isbn=978-1-4027-5834-8|pages=[https://archive.org/details/whatmattersworld0000unse/page/309 309–323]|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1uYC-XU3A-YC&pg=PA309|author=Richard Covington|editor=David Elliot Cohen|chapter=What One Person Can Do|date=2 September 2008|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/whatmattersworld0000unse/page/309}}</ref> They had four children, two daughters, and two sons.<ref name="thestar.com"/>

Bilquis became responsible for running the free [[maternity home]] at the foundation's headquarters in Mithandar, [[Karachi]], where she raised her children on the top floor, and on the lower floors, ran the local delivery room, and organised the [[adoption]] of abandoned babies. These were babies who were dropped into a cradle placed outside every Edhi centre across the country or found dumped in trash piles in the streets. Often such babies were otherwise at risk of being killed because of being born out of [[Extramarital sex|wedlock]] or due to [[rape]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Infanticide in Pakistan – DW – 04/11/2012 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/baby-hatches-are-saving-lives-in-pakistan/a-15873561 |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref>[[File:Faisal Edhi and Abdul Sattar Edhi.jpg|alt=Two men sitting together|thumb|Edhi with son Faisal in 2016]]On 25 June 2013, Edhi was hospitalised at [[Sindh Institute of Urology & Transplantation|SIUT]] due to failing kidneys. He would reportedly be on [[Kidney dialysis|dialysis]] for the rest of his life unless he found a [[Organ donation|kidney donor]].<ref>[http://tribune.com.pk/story/568148/edhi-suffers-from-kidney-failure-to-stay-on-dialysis-rest-of-his-life/ Edhi suffers from kidney failure, to stay on dialysis rest of his life]. ''The Express Tribune''. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2016.</ref>

The daily operations of the organisation during his ill health and after his passing were managed by his son Faisal Edhi (under the mentorship of Anwar Kazmi, 'the Maulana's Lieutenant', as his friend [[Eqbal Ahmad]] called him), wife [[Bilquis Edhi]] (1947-2022), and daughter Kubra (who runs the Edhi centre for women and children at Clifton).<ref name="Radio Pakistan" /><ref>Rani Singh: [https://www.forbes.com/sites/ranisingh/2016/07/09/edhi-who-washed-discarded-dead-bodies-and-was-pakistans-only-free-health-provider-has-died/ Edhi, Who Washed Discarded Dead Bodies And Was Pakistan's Only Free Health Provider, Has Died]. Forbes, 9 July 2016.</ref>

==Death==

=== Organ donation ===
Edhi died on 8 July 2016 at the age of 88 due to [[kidney failure]] after having been placed on a [[ventilator]]. One of his last wishes was that his organs be donated for the use of the needy but due to his poor health, only his [[cornea]]s were suitable for donation.<ref name="tr">{{cite news|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1137773/abdul-sattar-edhi-put-ventilator-condition-deteriorates-faisal-edhi/|title=Abdul Sattar Edhi passes away|newspaper=The Express Tribune|date=8 July 2016|access-date=8 July 2016}}</ref> In accordance with his wishes, his corneas were donated to two blind people.<ref>{{cite web|author= Imtiaz Ali|url= https://www.dawn.com/news/1269734|title= Edhi's eyes become source of vision for two blind persons | publisher=DAWN.COM |date=9 July 2016 |access-date=6 May 2023}}</ref>

=== State funeral ===
Prime Minister [[Nawaz Sharif]] declared [[National day of mourning|national mourning]] on the day following Edhi's death and announced a [[state funeral]] for him. He became the third person in [[History of Pakistan|Pakistan's history]] to receive a state gun carriage funeral after [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]] and [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq|Zia-ul-Haq]]. He was the only Pakistani without a state authority or a state role to receive a state funeral. According to the [[Inter-Services Public Relations|Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)]], state honors were given to Edhi by a [[guard of honor]] and a [[19-gun salute]]. Following the funeral he was laid to rest at Edhi Village on the outskirts of [[Karachi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesindhtimes.com/pak/abdul-sattar-edhi-laid-rest-state-funeral-karachi-national-stadium/|title=Abdul Sattar Edhi laid to rest at the Edhi Village Karachi – The Sindh Times|first=The Sindh|last=Times|date=9 July 2016|work=thesindhtimes.com|access-date=9 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815105338/http://www.thesindhtimes.com/pak/abdul-sattar-edhi-laid-rest-state-funeral-karachi-national-stadium/|archive-date=15 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Condolences ===
The attendees at his [[Salat al-Janazah|Janazah]] ([[Islam]]ic funeral prayer) included dignitaries such as [[Mamnoon Hussain]] ([[President of Pakistan]]), [[Raza Rabbani]] ([[Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan]]), [[Ishratul Ibad]] ([[Governor of Sindh]]), [[Syed Qaim Ali Shah]] and [[Shehbaz Sharif]] (the [[Chief Minister of Sindh|Chief Ministers of Sindh]] and [[List of chief ministers of Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]], respectively), [[Raheel Sharif]] (Chief of Army Staff) along with [[Muhammad Zakaullah]] and [[Sohail Aman]] (the [[Chief of staff|Chiefs of Staff]] of the [[Pakistan Navy|Pakistani Navy]] and [[Pakistan Air Force|Air Force]]), at the [[National Stadium, Karachi]].<ref>{{cite web|author= Parvez Jabri|url= http://www.brecorder.com/top-news/pakistan/308094-19-gun-salute-presented-to-edhis-coffin.html|title= 19-Gun Salute presented to Edhi's Coffin | publisher=Business Recorder |date=9 July 2016 |access-date=9 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url= http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/344385-Army-Chief-offers-Edhis-funeral|title= Army Chief, President, Senate Chairman, others offer Edhi's funeral | publisher=Dunya News |date=9 July 2016 |access-date=9 July 2016}}</ref> Prominent Pakistani figures such as [[Tariq Jamil|Maulana Tariq Jamil]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Death Of Abdul Sattar Edhi Silent Message by Maulana Tariq Jameel |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fncpf4uLVU  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/2fncpf4uLVU| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|website=youtube.com| date=3 August 2016 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> and [[Pakistani Canadians|Pakistani−Canadian]] [[Sheikh]] [[Faraz Rabbani]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rabbani |first1=Faraz |title=The great Muslim philanthropist, Abdul-Sattar Edhi, returns to his Lord |url=https://seekersguidance.org/articles/social-issues/abdul-sattar-edhi-obituary/ |website=SeekersGuidance|date=8 July 2016 }}</ref> often expressed their strong support for Edhi and his work.

Reactions to his death came from several high-ranking Pakistani officials, with then-[[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] [[Nawaz Sharif]] saying in an official statement: "We have lost a great servant of humanity. He was the real manifestation of love for those who were socially vulnerable, impoverished, helpless, and poor."<ref name="BBCobit"/> [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Army Staff]] [[Raheel Sharif]] called him a "true humanitarian".<ref name="thestar.com"/> He was called Pakistan's equivalent of [[Mother Teresa]] by ''[[India Today]]'' in 1990,{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} and the ''[[BBC]]'' wrote that he was considered "Pakistan's most respected figure and was seen by some as a [[saint]]."<ref name="BBCobit" />

==Awards==
===International awards===
* [[Ramon Magsaysay Award]] for Public Service (1986)<ref name=RMAcitation>
{{cite web | title = Citation for Abdul Sattar Edhi and Bilqis Bano Edhi | publisher = Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation | date = 31 August 1986| url = http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Citation/CitationEdhiAbd.htm | access-date = 25 March 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110423230700/http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Citation/CitationEdhiAbd.htm | archive-date = 23 April 2011| url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}
</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/07/pakistan-humanitarian-abdul-sattar-edhi-dies-160708184523940.html|title=Pakistan's humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi dies|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=9 July 2016|date=9 Jul 2016}}</ref>
* [[Lenin Peace Prize]] (1988)<ref name="Awards">{{cite web|date=8 August 2010|title=Awards|url=http://www.edhi.org/about-us/awards/national-awards|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315175949/http://www.edhi.org/about-us/awards/national-awards|archive-date=15 March 2016|access-date=24 March 2016|publisher=Edhi Foundation|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* Paul Harris Fellow from [[Rotary International]] (1993)<ref name=Awards/>
* Peace Prize from the former [[Soviet Union|USSR]], for services during the [[1988 Armenian earthquake|Armenian earthquake]] disaster (1988)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edhi {{!}} Foundation |url=https://www.edhi.org.au/recognition |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=www.edhi.org.au}}</ref>
* Hamdan Award for volunteers in Humanitarian Medical Services (2000), [[UAE]]<ref name=Awards/>
* International [[Balzan Prize]] (2000) for Humanity, Peace and Brotherhood, [[Italy]]<ref name=Awards/>
* Peace and Harmony Award (2001), [[Delhi]]<ref name="Rida">{{Cite web |last=Lodhi |first=Rida |date=2016-07-09 |title=Abdul Sattar Edhi's honors and awards |url=http://english.aaj.tv/news/10353547 |access-date=2025-08-29 |website=Aaj English TV |language=en}}</ref>
* Peace Award (2004), [[Mumbai]]<ref name="Rida" />
* Peace Award (2005), [[Hyderabad, India]]<ref name="Rida" />
* [[Seoul Peace Prize]] (2008), [[Seoul]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/2773/mission-edhi/|title=Mission Edhi – Daily Times|date=9 July 2017|work=Daily Times|access-date=10 June 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Honorary degree|Honorary doctorate]] from the [[Institute of Business Administration, Karachi]] (2006).
* [[UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize]] (2009)<ref name=msp>{{cite web|title=UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize – Laureates|url=http://www.unesco.org/new/en/social-and-human-sciences/events/prizes-and-celebrations/unesco-prizes/madanjeet-singh-prize/laureates/|publisher=UNESCO|access-date=25 March 2016}}</ref><ref name=msp-2009>{{cite web|title=UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence (2009)|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001858/185859e.pdf|publisher=UNESCO|year=2009|access-date=25 March 2016}}</ref>
* [[POSCO TJ Park Prize]] (2009) 
* [[Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize]] (2010)<ref name=AhmadiyyaAward>{{cite web
 | title = The Ahmadiyya Muslim Prize for the Advancement of Peace
 | publisher = The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
 | url = https://www.alislam.org/peaceprize/
 | access-date = 9 July 2016}}</ref><ref name=AhmadiyyaAwardReceipt>{{cite web
 | title = Video Speech by Edhi at the receipt of Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize
 | date = 5 April 2011
 | publisher = YouTube
 | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z-W21tTpws
 | access-date = 10 July 2016}}</ref>
* Honorary Doctorate by the [[University of Bedfordshire]] (2010)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dailytimes.com.pk/pakistan/13-Jul-16/us-expresses-sorrow-over-edhis-death|title=Dailytimes – US expresses sorrow over Edhi's death|work=dailytimes.com.pk|access-date=24 July 2016|date=12 July 2016}}</ref>
* London Peace Award (2011), [[London]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/08/pakistani-phlanthropist-abdul-sattar-edhi-dies-aged-88/|title=Pakistani phlanthropist, Abdul Sattar Edhi, dies aged 88|agency=Associated Press|date=8 July 2016|work=The Telegraph|access-date=10 June 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

===National awards===
* Silver Jubilee Shield by [[College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan|College of Physicians and Surgeons]] (1962–1987)<ref name=Awards/>
* Moiz ur Rehman Award (2015)<ref name=Awards/>
* The Social Worker of Sub-Continent by Government of [[Sindh]] (1989)<ref name=Awards/>
* [[Nishan-e-Imtiaz]], civil decoration from the [[Government of Pakistan]] (1989)<ref name=Awards/>
* Recognition of meritorious services to oppressed humanity during the 1980s by Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, [[Government of Pakistan]] (1989)<ref name=Awards/>
* Pakistan Civic Award from the Pakistan Civic Society (1992)<ref name=Awards/>
* Jinnah Award for Outstanding Services to Pakistan was conferred in April 1998 by The Jinnah Society. This was the first Jinnah Award conferred on any person in Pakistan.<ref name="Dawn: Jinnah Award">{{cite news|last1=H. Merchant|first1=Liaquat|title=Jinnah Award|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1270259|access-date=15 July 2016|publisher=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|date=12 July 2016}}</ref>
* Shield of Honor by [[Pakistan Army]] (E & C)<ref name=Awards/>
* Khidmat Award by the Pakistan Academy of Medical Sciences<ref name=Awards/>
* Bacha Khan Aman (Peace) Award in 1991{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}
* Human Rights Award by Pakistan Human Rights Society<ref name=Awards/>
* 2013 Person of the Year by the readers of ''[[The Express Tribune]]''<ref>[http://tribune.com.pk/story/652947/tribune-person-of-the-year-2013-your-vote-your-hero/ Tribune person of the year 2013: Your vote, our hero]. ''The Express Tribune''. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2016</ref>

== Honours ==
On 8 July 2021, a statue of Edhi was installed at Hockey Chowk, [[Quetta]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shahid|first=Saleem|date=2021-07-09|title=Edhi's statue installed in Quetta|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1634048|access-date=2021-07-09|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}}</ref>

On 31 March 2017, a [[cupronickel]] commemorative coin was issued upon the recommendation of the [[State Bank of Pakistan]] to [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] [[Nawaz Sharif]], who decided to commemorate Edhi's services on the national level.<ref>{{cite web|author=Talqeen Zubairi |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1270551/special-edhi-coin-to-be-issued-by-state-bank |title= Special Edhi coin to be issued by State Bank
 | publisher=Dawn News |date=13 July 2016 |access-date=13 July 2016}}</ref> Edhi became the only social worker and the fifth Pakistani personality to have been honoured with a commemorative coin.<ref>{{cite news|title=State Bank unveils Rs.50 coin to commemorate Edhi|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/195715-State-Bank-unveils-Rs50-coin-to-commemorate-Edhi|access-date=20 August 2017|work=[[The News International]]|agency=[[Associated Press of Pakistan]]|date=31 March 2017}}</ref>

On 28 February 2017, [[Google]] celebrated Edhi with a [[Google Doodle]] hailing his "super-efficient" ambulance service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/02/abdul-sattar-edhi-google-honours-angel-mercy-170227140720826.html|title=Abdul Sattar Edhi: Why Google honours him today|date=28 February 2017|website=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]|access-date=28 February 2017}}</ref>

In July 2016, the [[Defence Housing Authority, Karachi|Defence Housing Authority]] renamed the 5 [[kilometre]]-long Beach Avenue in [[Clifton Beach, Karachi]] as 'Abdul Sattar Edhi Avenue'.<ref>{{cite news|title=DHA Karachi renames Beach Avenue after Abdul Sattar Edhi|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1136957/dha-karachi-renames-beach-avenue-abdul-sattar-edhi/|access-date=20 August 2017|work=[[Express Tribune]]|agency=[[Associated Press of Pakistan]]|date=5 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Karachi's Sea View renames as 'Abdul Sattar Edhi Avenue'|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/134563-Karachis-Sea-View-renames-Abdul-Sattar-Edhi-Avenue|access-date=20 August 2017|work=[[The News International]]|date=13 July 2016}}</ref>

On 8 July 2016 [[Pakistan Post]] issued a commemorative [[postage stamp]] in memory of Edhi.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-08-14|title=Pakistan Post issues stamp to honour Edhi|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1162294/pakistan-post-issues-stamp-honour-edhi|access-date=2021-08-28|website=The Express Tribune|language=en}}</ref>

=== Nobel Peace Prize petitions ===
[[File:Edhi.jpg|thumb]]
In 2011, then-[[Prime Minister of Pakistan]] [[Yousaf Raza Gillani|Yousaf Raza Gilani]] recommended Edhi for a nomination for the [[Nobel Peace Prize]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/298911/gilani-nominates-abdul-sattar-edhi-for-nobel-peace-prize/ |title= PM recommends Abdul Sattar Edhi for Nobel Peace Prize nomination|publisher= Express Tribune| date=29 November 2011| access-date=18 July 2016}}</ref>

In early 2016, a petition signed by 30,000 for a Nobel Peace Prize for Edhi was moved by [[Ziauddin Yousafzai]], the father of [[Malala Yousafzai]].<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/campaign-abdul-sattar-edhi-receive-10727903|title= Campaign for Abdul Sattar Edhi to receive Nobel Peace Prize launched by father of Malala Yousafzai |publisher= Birmingham Mail | date=13 January 2011| access-date=19 July 2016}}</ref> In her condolence message on Edhi's death, broadcast by ''[[BBC Urdu]]'', Malala said that "as a Nobel Peace Prize winner, I hold the right to nominate people for the prize and I have nominated Abdul Sattar Edhi" adding that "even the coveted Nobel Prize cannot be a befitting tribute to Edhi's services for humanity".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1269731 |title= No one deserves Nobel Peace Prize more than Abdul Sattar Edhi, says Malala|publisher= Dawn News| date=9 July 2016| access-date=19 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title = No one deserves Nobel Peace Prize more than Abdul Sattar Edhi, says Malala Yousafzai |url =http://www.bbc.com/urdu/pakistan/2016/07/160708_malala_edhi_rh |newspaper = BBC Urdu|access-date = 19 July 2016}}</ref><ref>[[Malala Yousafzai]]: [https://herald.dawn.com/news/1154045 Abdul Sattar Edhi: A king without a crown]. Herald, 8 July 2019.</ref>

==Literature==
=== Primary ===
Abdul Sattar Edhi (1995), ''Breaking the Silence''. Islamabad: National Bureau of Publications.

[[Tehmina Durrani]] (1996) ''Abdul Sattar Edhi, An Autobiography: A Mirror to the Blind''. Karachi: A. Sattar Edhi Foundation.

=== Biography ===
{{citation |title=Half of Two Paisas: The Extraordinary Mission of Abdul Sattar Edhi and Bilquis Edhi |year=2013 |publisher=Oxford University Press, Pakistan. |author1=Lorenza Raponi |author2=Michele Zanzucchi |others=Translated from Italian by Lorraine Buckley |ref={{sfnref|Lorenza Raponi|Michele Zanzucchi|2013}}}}

=== Popular ===
[[Steve Inskeep]] (October 2011), ''Instant City: Life and Death in Karachi''. New York: Penguin Books.

Richard Covington; [[Shahidul Alam]] (2008), "What One Person Can Do: The Amazing Life of Abdul Sattar Edhi". In: ''What Matters'': ''The World's Preeminent Photojournalists and Thinkers Depict Essential Issues of Our Time'' edited by [[David Elliot Cohen]].

Richard Covington; [[Shahidul Alam]] (2004) [https://www.aramcoworld.com/articles/2004/humanitarian-to-a-nation-abdul-sattar-edhi Humanitarian to a Nation: Abdul Sattar Edhi] AramcoWorld.

=== Children ===
Amina Azfar (2014), ''Abdul Sattar Edhi''. Graphic Stories series (in [[Urdu]] and [[English language|English]]). Karachi: Oxford University Press.

=== Film ===
Omar Mullick; Bassam Tariq (2013),''[[These Birds Walk]].'' <br>Amélie Saillez (2011), ''The Kingdom of Mister Edhi'' (Lastor Media).<ref>Amélie Saillez (Lastor Media, 2011), [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2266865/ The Kingdom of Mister Edhi]</ref> <br>[[Peter Oborne]] (2011), ''Pakistan: Defenders of Karachi'' (Channel 4, April 2011, directed by Edward Watts, Quicksilver Media).<ref>[[Peter Oborne]], [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/8440920/The-day-I-met-Abdul-Sattar-Edhi-a-living-saint.html The day I met Abdul Sattar Edhi, a living saint] Telegraph, 10 April 2008.</ref>

==See also==
=== Karachi-based philanthropists ===
* [[Bilquis Edhi]]
* [[Adeebul Hasan Rizvi]]
* [[Hakeem Muhammad Saeed]]
* [[Ramzan Chhipa]]
* [[Saylani Welfare Trust]]
* [[Ansar Burney]]
* [[Ruth Pfau]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Pakistani Ramon Magsaysay Award Laureates |state=expanded}}
{{Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize recipients}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Edhi, Abdul Sattar}}
[[Category:1928 births]]
[[Category:2016 deaths]]
[[Category:Pakistani social workers]]
[[Category:Pakistani philanthropists]]
[[Category:Pakistani autobiographers]]
[[Category:Philanthropists from Karachi]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Lenin Peace Prize]]
[[Category:Pakistani people of Gujarati descent]]
[[Category:Recipients of Nishan-e-Imtiaz]]
[[Category:Memon people]]
[[Category:Gujarati people]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize]]
[[Category:POSCO TJ Park Prize]]