Jinnah - father of a nation

I am presently working with three young and vibrant Pakistanis of the urban refugee population on a university course they have started thanks to ACU - Australian Catholic University. 

This week, they had a teacher with them from the university.  During her time, they were required to give an oral presentation on a world leader in history.  They chose Jinnah, the father of Pakistan.  He was the nation's founding Governor-General which was then a comprehensive political leadership role in a new democracy.  He was more than just a figure-head. 

As they spoke of him, they spoke of how much they admired a man of vision and true leadership for his people.  A focus of his vision for the new nation was that it be a place where people of all faiths could safely practice their religion. 

We then see Pakistan today and I wonder what happened.  It is a vision lost.  You could sense that as the three young Pakistanis gave their presentation.  They know the present reality and suffer because of it, all having had to flee with their families due to religious persecution.  For them, this is a great sadness but, as they spoke of Jinnah, they spoke with passion and pride.  The vision may have been lost but its spark is still there and the flame could be relit.  They know this because of their admiration and respect for their nation's founder.  This connection with a great man still gives them hope for their nation.  They still see that his vision could be grasped again and brought back to life for the good of Pakistan. 

A vision may be lost but it can always be relit.  That is hope.  This is true for any vision - not just the vision of a nation.