HYDERABAD: Renowned intellectual, writer, scholar, teacher and socio-political worker Mohammad Ibrahim Joyo died on Thursday in Hyderabad at the age of 102, his family members confirmed. Joyo died after going through breathing complications over the last few days. He will be laid to rest in his native district, Jamshoro. Joyo, born on August 13, 1915 to a peasant family was known for his atypical views and the services he rendered for Sindh. He received his early education from Abad village of the then Dadu district and his matriculation in 1934 from Sindh Madrasat-ul-Islam. He was a DJ College Karachi alumnus, where he undertook his graduate studies in 1938 before he started teaching in Sindh Madrasat-ul-Islam in April the same year. In the 1940s, Joyo travelled to Bombay for higher education. During his stay in Bombay, Joyo was ideologically inspired by Marxist leader Manabendra Nath Roy. Joyo also admitted Ghulam Murtaza Shah Syed as his spiritual mentor, and supported socialism and nationalism under his influence. He joined the Radical Democratic Party (RDP) and upon his return to Karachi, started to edit Freedom Calling-a political magazine of the RDP. He contributed in both Sindhi and English languages and wrote 52 books during his life. His first book-Save Sindh, Save the Continent: From Feudal Lords, Capitalists and their Communalisms-was published in 1947. He had 32 books of translations to his credit, including the works of thinkers and writers like Rousseau, Voltaire, Paulo Freire, Shelley and Tagore. Besides books, he penned countless articles, pamphlets and letters. Joyo also played an active role in safeguarding the interests of Sindhi language and literature. He founded the Sindhi Writers Cooperation Fraternity in 1973; Sindh Friends Circle in 1978; Servants of Sindhi Society in 1980; Sindh Education Trust in 1995; and Shaikh Ayaz Foundation in 1998. Joyo cofounded several other significant organisations and institutions, such as the Sindhi Language Authority. Joyo had also been called the ‘pioneer of renaissance and reformation in Sindh’ as he dedicated himself to the service of the poverty-ridden and largely illiterate society.
Published in Daily Times, November 10th 2017.
