Ashraf Ansari
Faiz Ahmed Faiz National Literary Seminar was organized by Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) on the occasion of 110th birth anniversary of Urdu legendary poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Shafqat Mahmood, Federal Minister for Federal Education & Professional Training and National Heritage & Culture, was the Chief Guest. The Presidium consisted of Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik and Iftikhar Arif. Muneeza Hashmi was the guest of honor. Dr. Yousuf Khushk, Chairman, Academy of Literature Pakistan, gave the introductory speech. Ahmed Saleem, Naeem Bukhari, Khawaja Najam Al Hassan, Haris Khaliq, Dr. Sofia Yousuf, Hassan Abbas Raza and Dr. Humaira Ashfaq expressed their views. Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s speech was presented with melody. Mehboob Zafar was the moderator.
Shafqat Mahmood, Federal Minister for Federal Education & Professional Training and National Heritage & Culture, said that the seminar held in the memory of Faiz Ahmed Faiz reiterated that although Faiz Ahmed Faiz is not physically present with us today but His every poem and every word is the beating of our heart. Faiz Ahmed Faiz spent his entire life in struggle and truly expressed the aspirations of his people.
He said that Faiz Ahmed Faiz has always stood firm against oppression. He not only raised his voice against injustice through his poetry but also took part in protests with the people in practice. “If today we are freely expressing our views in a democratic society,” he said. So the poetry of Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Ahmad Faraz, Habib Jalib and other poets like them has a big hand in this. In my opinion, if we want to be aware of the real history of this country, we have to make use of the works of writers and poets like Faiz Ahmed Faiz.”Today we face problems such as religious fundamentalism, linguistic bigotry, terrorism, and intolerance,” he said. Intolerance is a termite that is hollowing out our society. A lasting solution to these problems will be possible only when we seek guidance from poets like Iqbal and Faiz.
Dr. Yousuf Khushk, Chairman, PAL, while delivering the welcome address, said that Faiz Ahmed Faiz was a legendary poet. With his poetry, he not only made a profound impact on Urdu literature but also influenced all walks of life.
