LAHORE - Former federal minister and Pakistan movement worker Begum Afifa Mamdot has said Maryam Jinnah, wife of the Quaid-e-Azam, was extremely intelligent, highly educated and a daring woman who embraced Islam and married the Quaid. She was addressing the participants of a special sitting organised by Nazria Pakistan Trust in collaboration with Tehrik-e-Pakistan Workers Trust at Aiwan-e-Karkunan Tehrik-e-Pakistan on Saturday on the death anniversary of Mohtarma Maryam Jinnah. Paying rich tributes to Maryam Jinnah, Afifa Mamdot said Maryam Jinnah had her own personality. She was accompanied by Jinnah in Shimla conference on the occasion of Legislative Assembly meeting where the Viceroy and Lady Jamsford invited them at a dinner. Maryam Jinnah did not bow down like other guests to accord welcome to the viceroy and lady viceroy but presented compliment like an oriental and a Muslim lady, which was felt by the Viceroy. But she reminded the viceroy that he was in India she paid compliments like an Indian and a Muslim woman. In another meeting with Lord Reading, she acted like a straight forward thinking woman. She was fond of first editions of books, antiques and dresses and had a place in the social life of India. She died on her 29th birthday anniversary on February 20, 1928. Dr Rafique Ahmad said Maryam Jinnah had same qualities which were possessed by Jinnah. She was a Parsi girl but when she embraced Islam she became a true Muslim. The Quaid-e-Azam was not with her when she embraced Islam as he wanted her to freely use her option. The Quaid-e-Azam was not in Bombay when Maryam died but he reached there and buried the Maryam according to Muslim rituals. The Quaid often visited her grave on every Thursday and paid her homage before leaving for Bombay. Begum Mehnaz Rafi said Maryam Jinnahs grand father migrated from Swat and her father Manak Ji was the richest person in Bombay and was owner of first cotton mill there. Maryma was highly educated and she had read Tennyson, Keats and Shelley in early age. She said Maryam embraced Islam at Bombay Jamia mosque and next day she married Jinnah. She studied Islam for two years. Her father Sir Dinsha Patent was friend of Jinnah and was convinced of the Quaids intelligence and wisdom. Maryam Jinnah adorned Quaids residence and also his office. She gave birth to Veena Jinnah and later went to Paris where she fell ill. The Quaid went to Paris for her treatment. Maryam improved and returned back but again fell ill and died on her birthday February 20. The Quaid had great love for Maryam Jinnah and after that he did not marry. Begum Surraya Khurshid said after marriage Maryma Jinnah looked after the Quaid and also provided her consultation in political matters. Dr Parveen Khan said the Quaid did not like dowry. The non-Muslims hatched a propaganda against the Quaid but Maryam Jinnah gave statement in the court she married him of her own choice. Secretary NPT Shahid Rashid thanked the guests and said Begum Mehnaz Rafi had set up a college in Gulshan-e-Ravi after the name of Maryam Jinnah.