1. “Humanity is The Basic
Element of Every Religion”
PREPARED BY:
MUHAMMAD KAZIM ALEE
2. From Katherina to Dr. Kathreina
Martha
Dr. Ruth Katherina Martha Pfau
1929 Born in Leipzig Germany
After WW2 when Russia occupies East Germany she with her family escaped to the West
Germany.
1949, She studied about medicine she continuous her education in medicine in Mainz but
she was not satisfy of her life so she became part of Catholic Order as a sister. She joins
Society of Daughters of the Heart of Marry.
3. From Germany To Pakistan
1960 Ruth decided to dedicate the rest of her life to the people of Pakistan to fight Leprosy
(Mycobacterium Leprae )
April 1963, Leprosy Clinic was bought and patients from all over Karachi, Pakistan and even from
Afghanistan came for treatment.
Training for paramedical workers and social workers were given and health education started to
get over prejudices and fear.
She went to the far off areas of Pakistan where there were no medical facilities for leprosy patients.
She collected donations in Germany and Pakistan and cooperated with hospitals
in Rawalpindi and Karachi.
4. From Germany To Pakistan
1988, she was awarded Pakistani citizenship.
Due to her Services In 1996, Pakistan was declared by the World Health
Organization to have controlled leprosy, one of the first countries in Asia to
achieve this goal.
5. Awards and Recognitions
Ruth Pfau has been awarded many prizes and medals.
Sister Ruth was among recipients of civilian awards at President's House on Pakistan Day 23
March 1989.
She received the Hilal-i-Pakistan award for her work with leprosy patients Speaking at a
function in Islamabad in January 2000
14 August 2010, the President of Pakistan awarded the very high civil award of Nishan-i-
Quaid-i-Azam to her for public service. In 2010 after her work helping people "nobody else
is willing or able, or ever thought of helping," people displaced by Pakistan's deadly
flooding, she is being hailed as Pakistan's 'Mother Teresa'.
6. Honors
1969 Order of Merit (Germany)
1969 Sitara i Quaid i Azam
Hilal-e-Imtiaz
Hilal-i-Pakistan
2002 Ramon Magsaysay Award
2003 Jinnah Award for 2002.
2004 Doctor of Science (DSc), honoris causa.
Aga Khan University, Karachi. 2010 Nishan-i-Quaid-i-Azam for public service.
