An Opportunity for Film and Documentary Makers

to Capture the Life of a Renowned Freedom Fighter

By Nasim Yousaf
Allama Mashriqi was a legendary freedom fighter who had millions of followers and launched one
of the largest private armies in South Asia, mobilizing the masses in the sub-continent to obtain
freedom from the British. Mashriqis journey from academic brilliance to the forefront of South
Asian politics is compelling and worthy of a feature film or documentary. Indeed, this subject is of
historic importance and would generate strong interest among the more than one billion people
living in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan (and beyond).

About Mashriqi
Nobel Prize nominee Allama Inayatullah Khan Mashriqi was one of the great minds of the 19th
and 20th centuries he was a world-famous mathematician, scholar, reformer, politician, and
freedom fighter. Mashriqi was the founder of the
revolutionary Khaksar Movement (Tehrik), AlIslah weekly, and the Islam League. Mashriqi
first made history at a young age through his
academic achievements at the University of
Punjab and record-breaking performance at the
world-famous University of Cambridge (U.K.).
A few years later, his book Tazkirah, a scientific
commentary on the Holy Quran, which is
believed to be the first book by a Muslim to be
nominated (by Indian and European scholars)
for the Nobel Prize (in Literature). His academic
accomplishments led to his induction as a
Fellow at some of the most prestigious scholarly
societies in Europe.
Mashriqis early academic and scholarly achievements marked only the beginning of a much
broader and influential political career, one that would ultimately result in the liberation of India
from the British. Mashriqis emergence as a revolutionary leader and politician gained momentum
in the 1920s. In May of 1926, he delivered an influential speech at the International Caliphate
Conference in Cairo. During his speech, Mashriqi called into question the election of Egyptian
King Fuad (who had the blessing of the British) as Caliphate. In doing so, Mashriqi thwarted the
British attempt to appoint a proxy leader who could implement their agenda in the Muslim world.
Mashriqi subsequently traveled to Europe upon the invitation of prominent European scholars and
scientists. When Mashriqi arrived in Germany, German President Hindenburgs niece, Helene
Nostitz von Hindenburg, received him. While in Europe, scholars, scientists, and other leaders,

including Albert Einstein and Adolf Hitler met him. During his wide-ranging discussions,
Mashriqi imparted his ideas on global affairs, science, militarism, religion, etc.
A few years after his return from Europe, Mashriqi launched the Khaksar Tehrik (in 1930). The
Tehrik was a private army designed to mobilize the masses for freedom and to liberate India from
British rule. The Movement was highly disciplined and based on the principles of brotherhood,
justice, and equality; its members, the Khaksars, included people from across religions, including
Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians. Instead of rifles, the Khaksars carried spades, which
symbolized the dignity of labor, humility and the leveling of society. The Khaksars relentlessly
promoted their philosophy and message through camps, marches in the streets, flyers, posters,
volunteer work, etc. In 1934, the Khaksar Tehriks official newspaper, Al-Islah weekly, was
launched, which further accelerated the spread of the Tehrik and the onset of the end of British
rule (see the peer-reviewed article published in the USA entitled Khaksar Movement Weekly AlIslah's Role Toward Freedom).
Mashriqi and the Khaksar Tehriks philosophy resonated strongly with the masses and the Tehrik
quickly grew to nearly every corner of the sub-continent (now comprised of Bangladesh, India,
and Pakistan). By 1940, the Tehrik had millions of followers and branches in many countries
from Bahrain to South Africa to Egypt. Remarkably, Mashriqi had accomplished this feat without
any state-sponsorship, donations or membership fees. The Khaksar Tehrik had captured the
imagination of the people of the sub-continent and inspired them to rise up against the British Raj.
Mashriqi thus emerged as the most powerful leader in the sub-continent and the first to directly
challenge British rule (for more details, see the authors published works). Historical documents
demonstrate that the British feared Mashriqis power and influence and attempted to crush him
and his movement by any means necessary. On March 19, 1940, police open fired on the Khaksars
and the Government banned the Khaksar Tehrik. On the same day, Mashriqi, his sons, and a large
number of Khaksars were also arrested. One of Mashriqis young sons eventually died from
injuries inflicted upon him by police. The Government continued arresting thousands of Khaksars
in an attempt to crush the threat to British rule. On June 07, 1942, Ahmad Dastagir wrote in the
daily Dawn (Delhi):
How the Khaksars were killed in the streets of Lahore, the Allama arrested, his and other
leaders properties confiscated, Allamas invalid pension withheld, thousands of Khaksars
persecuted, Allamas elder son imprisoned, the younger one murdered in cold bloodis
too tragic a tale to be told.
Ironically, the British cruelty against the Khaksars only strengthened the publics resolve against
the British Raj. Despite the atrocities committed against them, the Khaksars were relentless in their
push for freedom It became clear to the British that Mashriqi and the Khaksars would not relent in
their fight for independence, and that the British would have no choice but to leave India. The
Indian subcontinent thus achieved its independence from the British in 1947.
Following independence, Mashriqi continued to play an active role fighting for the poor masses
and against Government corruption, injustices, and bad policies. When Mashriqi died in 1963,
news of his death headlined major newspapers and there was an overwhelming outpouring of grief

and condolences from followers and supporters in Pakistan, Bangladesh and abroad. To mourn his
death, shops and trading markets remained closed and special bulletins, rallies, and funeral prayers
(Ghaibana Namaz-e-Janaza) were offered in many cities of Pakistan (and abroad). His funeral
procession in Lahore (where he was buried with full military style honors) was one of the largest
in South Asian history.
Indeed, Allama Mashriqi led a remarkable life. His journey from Nobel Prize nominee to founder
of Indias largest private army to liberating the country from foreign rule and offering prescient
warnings about the dangers of partition provides a riveting narrative for a documentary or feature
film.
Nasim Yousaf is a researcher and historian based in the USA. He is a grandson of Allama Mashriqi
and has published 15 books, many articles, and 19 digital files of rare and historical documents.
More information on Allama Mashriqi (as well as Mr. Yousaf) is available on social media
platforms. Below are a few relevant links:
https://www.facebook.com/AllamaMashriqi.1
https://www.facebook.com/Khaksar.Movement
http://www.facebook.com/nasimyousaf.26
Copyright 2016 Nasim Yousaf
Published by:
English Tribune (, July 2, 2016
Pakistan Christian Post, July 02, 2016
South Asia Pulse, July 03, 2016
Dispatch News Desk (Pakistan), July 03, 2016
New Age Islam (India), July 05, 2016
Two Circles (USA)