What does Azadi and Qurbani mean to you?

Azadi. Qurbani. If you are a Pakistani born before the turn of century, you might be among those who consider both these words as synonyms. The newer generations have evolved to see the difference between these two very important concepts. Its an old saying that sacrifice (Qurbani) is the cost of freedom (Azadi).

This year Pakistan’s independence day coinciding with the third day of Eid – that too Eid e Qurban, which evokes the idea and passion of sacrifice to the will of God. MediaSpring PK last month decided to do this feature on what does Azadi and Qurbani mean to the fellows of our media industry. At that time we had no idea that the situation of Kashmir will turn out to be how it is now – this makes the concept of sacrifice and freedom all more relevant again.

Dunya News’ anchor Marrium Zeshan commented on what does Azadi and Qurbani mean to her, she said:

“In my opinion freedom is not possible without sacrifice. I believe azadi is to live your life by making people around you happy, as they say in Urdu, ‘khush raho or khushiyan Baanto.’ Having said that, this does not mean that your freedom is allowed to spoil freedom of others. Independence is one of the biggest blessings one can ask from the Almighty. Therefore it should be observed sanely.”

#MediaSpringPK exclusive!!!
What Does Azadi Mean To You?

Here is what @IMarriumZeshan has to say!#IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/f6gihYDhzn

— MediaSpring PK (@MediaSpringPk) August 14, 2019

Seasoned news anchor & TV presenter and current face of GNN, Uzma Nauman said:

“Sacrifice does not mean just sacrificing animals, it actually means to ignite the passion to give away anything to the will of God.”

#MediaSpringPK Exclusive!
What Does Qurbani Mean to you?
Here is @uzmanauman sharing her opinion!#EidAlAdha #EidAdhaMubarak pic.twitter.com/qIFFRmJ1fi

— MediaSpring PK (@MediaSpringPk) August 11, 2019

“God has made us all free, hence, we should not deprive anyone from freedom,” said Uzma

#MediaSpringPK Exclusive!
What Does Azadi Mean To You?
Here is what @uzmanauman
has to say.#IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/8iFT1DWHiM

— MediaSpring PK (@MediaSpringPk) August 14, 2019

The host of HUM News’ Views Makers, Zaryab Rajput shared her opinion in the line of freedom of expression and our eastern values. “Independence is the name of concepts and ideas which make us happy but at the same time it is connected to our eastern values too,” said Zaryab.

#MediaSpringPK Exclusive!
What Does Azadi Mean To You?
Here is what @BXaryab has to say.#IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/sdLZPLUVAX

— MediaSpring PK (@MediaSpringPk) August 14, 2019

She further said, “Our thoughts and ideas should be free and we should let them fly but we must not forget our moral values too. As a youth we must bring forward ideas which can contribute to the betterment of the society as a whole. Quaid e Azam stood with an idea of separate of identity this makes us our job now to behave like a well mannered nation.”

“On this independence day let’s refrain from those acts which can bring bad name to this nation and this green & white flag,” Zaryab shared a word of advise.

Irza Khan, the face of ARY News, said that to her freedom is to live freely with her ideas and beliefs without any fear. She also expressed her solidarity with Kashmir:

#MediaSpringPK Exclusive!
What Does Azadi Mean To You?
Here is what @irzakhaan has to say.#IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/xEPCr3NmXo

— MediaSpring PK (@MediaSpringPk) August 14, 2019

“When you talk about sacrifice it is not just about sacrificing animals it is about sacrificing your most important thing for the sake of Allah’s will. So this eid lets sacrifice our egos hatred, be compassionate and love each other because that is all we need to be a better society and nation,” said another face of GNN Aisha Yousaf.

#MediaSpringPK Exclusive!

What does Qurbani mean to you?

Here is what @AyeshaViews isha Yousaf has to say!#EidAlAdha#EidAdhaMubarak pic.twitter.com/k2RO3cfAQv

— MediaSpring PK (@MediaSpringPk) August 11, 2019

On the topic of what does Azadi mean to her, Aisha commented topic:

“I am so proud to be a part of the country that has given me freedom to live my life the way I want. Some of the incidents from recent times make us understand the value of freedom better. Especially when we look at nations suffering for their basic human rights and freedom.”

#MediaSpringPK Exclusive!
What Does Azadi Mean To You?
Here is what @AyeshaViews has to say.#IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/xwYGhahm1R

— MediaSpring PK (@MediaSpringPk) August 14, 2019

Renowned TV presenter, News and TV anchor Summaiya Rizwan believes, “It is all about sacrifice and ehsas (empathy)” and “there can not be a blessing bigger than freedom”:

#MediaSpringPK Exclusive!
What Does Azadi & Qurbani Mean To You?
Here is what @summaiya85 has to say.#IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/6RDxcF6eUx

— MediaSpring PK (@MediaSpringPk) August 14, 2019

P.S. For this feature above News & TV Anchors were not cherry picked, MediaSpringPK did contact almost every one we could and these are the few kind enough media fellows who took their time out for this feature and we are really grateful to them.