Everyone knows what a wonderfully blessed country Pakistan is for having the legendary social worker Mr. Abdul Sattar Edhi call it his home. He is undisputedly admired for his morals, humility and compassion for mankind without regard to their backgrounds, religions or sect.
Recently, he was in the news after a Bollywood movie brought an Indian girl stranded in Pakistan to the limelight. This girl, named Geeta by Bilquis Edhi, Abdul Sattar’s wife, was staying at one of their shelters after she was found near the Lahore border area 10 years ago. After efforts by the Edhi foundation in conjunction with activists and political personalities on both sides of the border, she returned to India. Following this, Narendra Modi, as a gesture of thanks to Edhi Foundation for taking good care of Geeta, announced a donation of Rs. 10 million (1 crore Indian Rupees).
A New Beginning For India's Daughter #GeetaComesHome Thanks To Relentless Efforts Of @SushmaSwaraj & #EdhiFoundation pic.twitter.com/yft4gfGrGo
— Rohit Kumar (@RohitKrOfficial) October 26, 2015
Everyone was happy and cheerful but then Edhi sahab announced his refusal to accept the donation.
Pakistani philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi declines PM Modi's offer to donate Rs1 crore, spox says such donations against his principles.
— Rezaul Hasan Laskar (@Rezhasan) October 27, 2015
Nor surprisingly (lol), the news was received rather positively by Pakistanis. Within minutes, it was a top trending topic on social media.
Everyone had to give their two cents about this development.
This is called humanity . bravo #EdhiFoundation
— junyd Tahir (@junydT) October 27, 2015
#EdhiFoundation – A place where your faith in humanity gets restored 🙂
— Huma | ہما (@Frying_Nemo) October 27, 2015
Most people were happy that it was a “slap” to Modi’s face.
Sadly, they don’t know that this refusal was more to do with Edhi sahab‘s principles than a political stunt.
We don't take money from any governments #EdhiFoundation
— Sadam Husayn PTI (@Sadam_Husayn) October 27, 2015
#EdhiFoundation The Best attitude By Respected Edhi sab ,Not to accept the Indian Donation… You speaks Like Nation… Thank you
— DËSÇËÑT RÃY (@Being_a_Syed) October 27, 2015
Here you Go @narendramodi ??? Weldone #EdhiFoundation ??? pic.twitter.com/4O3YZvMfAD
— Andleeb Malik (@MinhajAndleeb) October 27, 2015
@Rezhasan so glad to hear it. It was such a "we don't wanna no favours" kind of "donation"! #EdhiFoundation #Edhi rules!
— Azeema Cheema (@AzeemaCheema) October 27, 2015
Others were appreciative of the great work Edhi sahab and his foundation does.
i appreciate the policy of #EdhiFoundation #true_human_server
— Abdullah Minhas (@21Minhas) October 27, 2015
So proud of the #EdhiFoundation ♥ You make Pakistan a better nation. Thank you for everything you do! @EdhiAbdulSattar
— Noushin Zora (@NoushinZora) October 26, 2015
Some used the opportunity to bash those they didn’t like, politically.
#EdhiFoundation don't need your money, better spend on building toilets & providing security to women..
— Burhan Ayyub (@burhanayyub) October 27, 2015
any way for Nawaz to claim Baba Edhis work, just like he claims Zarb-e-azb? Modi is giving away money 😉 #EdhiFoundation
— Muhammad Zia Hussain (@ziahsn77) October 27, 2015
Modi better spend 10m Rs on hs own 800 million poor instd of giving it away lk he's reciprocating the virtuous deed done by #EdhiFoundation.
— Diana Haider (@dianahaeder) October 27, 2015
Someone even thought this might not be a good move as people would take the wrong message from it.
#EdhiFoundation I think Edhi sb by not accepting #Indian donation give a wrong message humanity has no borders
— Muhammad Umair (@puunjabian) October 27, 2015
However, some people actually understood the move.
declining that money not for politics or hate issues just because of humanity #EdhiFoundation Sir Edhi should be our president
— Waqas (@therealVicCrack) October 27, 2015
Respecting is DIFFERENT than accepting #EdhiFoundation
— Trends Vine (@naumanaziz127) October 27, 2015
In the end, regardless of whatever they think, everyone still loves Abdul Sattar Edhi. And can you blame them?
#EdhiFoundation is pride of Pakistan.
— Rida Fatima (@RidaFatima_15) October 27, 2015
Well done. #EdhiFoundation
— Shaheer Adil (@adisilet) October 27, 2015
But we don’t like this guy because he made a joke about Mangoes.
Not everyone is for sale. Give money to Nawaz, maybe he needs it. In return he'll send Mangoes #EdhiFoundation
— Muhammad Zia Hussain (@ziahsn77) October 27, 2015
Mangoes are love, mangoes are life. Everyone must always love mangoes for we are mango-loving MangoBaaz, for life.