OBITUARY

Dr. Gul-e-Jannat, co-author of this volume left for her eternal abode on Nov. 6 th, 2011. She was 71.

She was born in Hyderabad, Sindh, in 1940. Got her school and college education at Government
Girls Pilot School and Zubaida Girls College, Hyderabad, respectively. She passed Matriculation
Examination and Intermediate Arts Examination from the University of Sindh, in 1958 and 1960
respectively.

In 1960’s she passed M.A. (Islamic Culture) with 2 nd position and M.A. (Muslim History), B.T. and
M.Ed. At same time, she joined the Department of Education, Govt. of Sindh and started a carrier of
teaching. In 1981 she obtained Ph.D (Education).

As a unique distinction which her Creator bestowed upon her was that “she was the first ever person
(and the only candidate) to be awarded a Ph.D (Education) by the University of Sindh. Her topic of
research was “Developing a Programme for Female Higher Education in Sindh”.

Up till last, she served the Department of Education, Sindh. As a teacher, her services were beyond
the call of normal duty. She displayed distinguished, outstanding, unflinching devotion and exemplary
leadership qualities during her entire life.

Her professionalism was to that degree of Excellency, she was a co-author of five (05) published
books. This volume is the sixth (on Qur-anic themes).

As a matter of fact, very few women can claim to have the psychological and physical buoyancy to
pursue the lonely and arduous life of a writer. She dedicated her entire professional period in the
service of Qur-anic literature. Beyond doubt, literature has been described by some as a nurse of
noble natures. Spiritually a radiant figure, she was a treasure trove of knowledge, grace, humbleness
and a beacon of inspiration for the generations on the globe.

A sonnet from the grieved family members is given as under:

A FAREWELL

Farewell! A long farewell my Love!

Your name is writ in stars;
Thou wast not born for death, immortal bird!
Oh dream of my joy! Fly, fly into the vast unknown;
This adventure is over – your journey is done.
No hungry generations tread thee down;
To times in hope my verse shall stand;
Praising thy worth, despite their cruel hands.
But, my word, the sum of our days is a memoir,
Lock up, lock up the door of this weary heart;
No one, no one can ever enter it again
The hot afternoon sun has shortened my shadow
Grave prays for me like a mother for her son to come home
Let me burn out in the sighs of solitude;
Fly away, fly away my breath
To be with your eternal Companion
Ohark, O hear! The end is neigh!

Mourners

Engr. Akhtar Bhatti (husband)

Adv. Ghazala Shah (daughter)
Dr. Fariha Halepoto (daughter)
Engr. Masroor Bhatti (son)