English & Urdu Text : Khalid IqbalPresentation : Shoaib Sobani

The year was 1983 and the setting was Nunnington in Yorkshire England whileShabbir Nawaz Safavi of the Dow Batch of ‘79 was staying with Ahmed ZaheerBabar. He was attempting PLAB and it was just by chance that he was introducedto Sarah who was pursuing her nursing profession. Subsequent meetings openedup a vista of a tender relationship.

Shabbir was a man of traditions and customs, and could not dare to propose toSarah out rightly. He clarified his stance on the future. Very apparent that he willsettle in Pakistan where the religious, cultural and ethnic norms are diverse. Hewanted to involve the mother and family in serious matters as an ardent supporterof the joint family system. Shabbir returned to Pakistan. He was taken bysurprise when Sarah showed her readiness to a matrimonial alliance after makingmultiple observational visits to Pakistan

Meeting the family members reassured Sarah that she can settle in this country.She left apprehensive and despondent parents, lifetime friends, Catholic faithand a dazzling ambiance for the sake of Shabbir. She converted to Islam withoutany malice or coercion and then got married like a typical Pakistani girl. Shabbir’sMother and all the family members very gleefully accepted her and she settled intheir Landhi’s ancestral house

Sarah started working at the then Mideast Hospital in Clifton Karachi and assistingShershah at the clinic. Soon the foundation of Kohi Goth Centre for the training ofnurses and midwifes was laid and Sarah was the first instructor in charge. Timepassed and the place metamorphosed into a centre of excellence. Sarah joined for afour year course in Aga Khan University. Achievement of BSCN paved the way forSarah to be appointed as Principal of the Kohi Goth Centre which is adjacent to theSafavi family home and farm

One adverse event in Shabbir’s life was his mother’s ailment. She suffered amassive stroke while serving as an officer at NIPA and became bed ridden. Sheneeded a full time nursing attendant. Sarah served her like a loving daughter dayand night. This service continued for nineteen long years till she breathed her last.This is a unique instance of compassion and munificence. A couple of years agoShabbir was kidnapped for ransom while going to his clinic.

It was an indescribable misery for the entire family. Twenty five long days ofconfinement brought all sorts of stresses on Shabbir at one end and the family onthe other. The kidnapper knew every fact and insisted on talking to the family. Itwas Sarah who never surrendered her grounds; she stood like a rock and neverallowed the family members to succumb to the pressure tactics. She holds thefamily fort together during tough times. Any body else would have crumbled undersuch a trying situation. Eventually Shabbir was set free, to witness the strong,enduring and unyielding Sarah.

The two daughters Michelle and Maham are brought up in an exemplarymanner. They carry the kind heartedness, clairvoyance, dedication andcommitment identical to their mother. Michelle a top notch student, is a dentalsurgeon now while Maham is doing studies in corporate law at the College ofBusiness Management in Karachi

The great sacrifice that Sarah gave for her family was the prolonged dissociationfrom the parents. She stood to her ground like a pillar for so long and provedwhat trustworthiness meant to her. Eventually the ice thawed and the relationswith her parents were restored.

Sarah has become a great friend to the class of ‘79 not only by virtue of beingShabbir’s wife but by showing the example of loyalty, fortitude, commitment and agenuinely altruistic personality. Perhaps a more resolute Pakistani than anyother original Pakistani, surviving the unending difficulties of life without blames,slander or regrets

Thanks shoaib for SARASara lived in landhi like a pakistanishe cared for Shabbir s mother till her death Like her own daughter A great workerExtremely hard working Honest Kindalways ready to learn,Recently she did post graduation from AKUA very good teacher Great motherAnd a great daughter tooA VERY LUCKEY MAN SHABBIRJEW HAZAROON SAALEShershah

Dear Shoaib,Thanks for the writeup about a remarkable person.Sarah, from the day I first met her to this day, for me have always remained a symbol of pure love, dedication and sarene calmness.Sarah have managed to achieve what most of us can only aspire to.She has managed to rise above all the hangups& disarmed all the arbitrary but often insurmountable restriction

imposed by religion, race & nationality & conquered them all by her love.Even during the most testing times, she manged to steer her family through with remarkable levelheadedness.

Never lost her steely calmness. Never utter a bed word against anyone.Sarah we all are proud of you. thanks for being a friend.Lots of love to Shaboo, Michelle &Maham& rest of the family.AZB

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Sarah is Sara-pa-courage and selflessnessShabirbrotheum you are a lucky boyVery best wishes to both of you and your familyMunir And Al-le-khana

Our salutes to Sarah the great and her lovely daughters.Thanks a lot shaib for introducing a great womanRaufunisa

Dear SarahIt was delightful to read your write up.It was great privilege to meet you at Kohi Got last year and I remain enthralled by your accomplishments. It was nice to see the photos of your beautiful girls. I wish all the best and hope you continue your good work for many years to come.Asif

Dear Shoaib,Thank you so much for such a great write-up about an extraordinary person; you have made my day.Congratulations Sarah! you indeed are the most wonderful person I have ever known. I consider myself very lucky to have you as my friend; in fact, I always regard you, Shaboo, Michelle and Mahum as family.My dear Sarah, enjoy being the POTW and hopefully we will see you in Nepal. Love & hugs,Parveen

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Dear SarahMany congratulations. you have managed to put up with Shabbir for so many years. I think that both are lucky. youcompliment each other so well. your children are lovely and an example. However, for you to love, live in his land away from your mum, acquire further education and support a charity organisation in Pakistan to the utmost energy and enthusiasm is commendable and second to none.We are privileged to be your friendsIfti and Huma

Thank you, Shoaib.Sarah,

Congratulations. Although I have never met you but have heard a lot of good things about you through friends and of course Shabbir. I was particularly touched by your steadfastness and unflinching love for my dear friend, Shabbir

Not many people can endure what you went through during the trying times with Shabbir's kidnapping incident. I am impressed with your accomplishments and dedication to your profession of nursing. 19 years of providing tender loving care to your mother-in-law speaks volumes in itself of the humanity in you. It is good to know Michelle and Maham are doing so well. They are both very pretty, Mashallah.Welcome to the PAW's club. I am sure you will be an asset to it. Take care.

Bashir

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Congratulations to Sarah and Shabbir.What an inspirational story of life and of love, commitment, character !We read about such stories like Sarah's only in fiction, but it was no fiction, it was for real !Hats off to Sarah and off course Shabbir and daughters. You are all so special !Ahmad Sayeed/ ShaguftaDear Sarah and Shabbir, A magnificent narrative and an example of resolute stead fastness and grit. Well done! Shoaibbro ! Thanks AlyHaider