Musalmans are a nation according to any definition of a nation, and they must have their homeland, their territory and their state. We wish to live in peace and harmony with our neighbours as a free and independent people. We wish our people to develop to the fullest our spiritual, cultural, economic, social, and political life in a way that we think best, and in consonance with our own ideals and according to the genius of our people.
Presidential address by Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, 27th session, All India
Muslim League, Lahore, 22-24 March 1940.
