EVER since Abdul Sattar Edhi`s funeral prayers, the social media has been claiming that the public was restricted from paying homage to the great humanitarian.

Having attended the funeral, I consider it my duty to share my personal experience. I reached the venue at about 1.00pm. I was mentally prepared that I won`t be able to find space for my car and it would be impossible to enter the stadium owing to people`s rush.

To my disbelief, this was not the case. I got in a line and after showing my CNIC and getting body searched at two points, I was inside the stadium within 15 to 20 minutes.

Gates remained opened till the start of the prayers and people 1(ept coming.

People on social media made an issue of `separation`in the front rows. The fact is it was meant to avoid any chaos after the prayers, and not to create a divide between the elite and the people. Our society is in a habit of thriving on negativity.

It was repeatedly requested that people should remain disciplined in respect of their beloved Edhi. The people inside the stadiumhad no issues about the arrangements. It is the people who stayed in the comfort of their air-conditioned homes who are finding flaws.

Let`s be honest and admit that the thin attendance was caused by lethargy of the public. Moreover, E dhi was despised by clerics and several political parties because they believed he was taking away a big share of Zakat, Sadga and donations.

Usman Ali Karachi (2) THIS refers to a statement by Abdul Sattar Edhi`s son, Faisal Edhi, wherein he said that propaganda against the Edhi Foundation in the Friday sermons may result in a drop in donations to the foundation.

It is unfortunate that whosoever advocates humanity irrespective of any bias for race, religion, or creed is labelled as infidel by people holding reactionary views.

Their latest target is the Edhi Foundation, which has served hundreds of thousands of deserving people. Besides their distorted world view, a strong desire to divert donations towards their seminaries from the Edhi Foundation is the other compelling reason of propaganda.

It is time society rose to the occasion to restrain such elements hindering a noble cause.

Dr Najeeb A Khan Islamabad