Zubair Qureshi
Pakistan Academy of Letters on Thursday unveiled Faiz Ahmed Faiz Auditorium to mark 109th birth anniversary of the poet.
Federal Minister for Federal Education, Professional Training National History & Literary Heritage Division Shafqat Mahmood, daughters of Faiz, Muneeza Hashmi and Saleema Hashmi, celebrated poet and close friend of Faiz, Iftikhar Arif, Director General (DG) Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) Fauzia Saeed and PAL Chairman Muhammad Salman were present on the occasion besides a large number of fans and writers and poets to celebrate Faiz’ birthday.
The ceremony was jointly organized by Pakistan Academy of Letters and PNCA. “Faiz Ahmed Faiz Auditorium” is the first auditorium in Islamabad that is named after Faiz. They cut a cake on the occasion to mark the poet’s birth anniversary.
While addressing as Chief Guest Shafqat Mahmood said, “Faiz Sahib is considered one of the pillars of Urdu poetry”. Today’s ceremony is special because it is being held on the occasion of birth anniversary of Faiz Sahib.
Shafqat Mehmood said that Faiz has been translated in many world languages and this is a fact that we can advance his tradition of dialogue in the light of the ideas of our advertisers and people.
The role of the writers in making the environment conducive and pleasant for peace, stability, freedom and coexistence of the region is extremely positive and commendable.
Our government has always paid tribute to the services of the writers and appreciates their efforts and struggles for the survival and revival of great literary and cultural traditions.
Along with literature, there has been a continuous effort to promote unity, peace, love, patience and endurance in the promotion of positive thinking in Pakistan, he said adding PAL is playing effective role in promotion of literature and supporting the literary community.
Faiz grandsons Adeel Hashmi and Ali Hashmi also expressed their views on this occasion.
At the ceremony, Tajdar Mustafa Zaidi, Bano Rehmat and Farrukh Zaidi paid poetic tribute with focal and instrumental to Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
Ghazala Saifi, Parliamentary Secretary, National History & Literary Heritage Division, Inaamullah Khan, Federal Secretary, National History & Literary Heritage Division were also present the occasion.
Iftikhar Arif said Faiz was a legendary poet. “He is multi-angled literary personality that marked a great name in the history,” said Iftikhar Arif adding Faiz was a symbol of peace and love in this world and known as the most remarkable personality.
Saleema Hashmi said till 1970s there was no cultural policy in writing, it was Faiz sahib who for the very first time scripted and consequently cultural and literary organizations were established.
She said her father was a man of insight whose observation was perfect. He personally wanted that government paid special attention towards such cultural literary institutions, working for the promotion and development of literature and literary people.
