Celebrating Faiz`s message of love and peace

LAHORE, Jan 21: Faiz Centennial Committee Pakistan and Progressive Writers Association Pakistan along with other government and private institutions are marking centenary celebrations (1911-2011) of the literary luminary. The celebrations in fond memory of Faiz Ahmed Faiz would be held all over Pakistan and abroad the whole year through, announced Faiz Centennial Committee Pakistan chairman I.A. Rehman at a press briefing held at South Asia Free Media Association on Friday.

PWAP Secretary-General Hameed Akhtar, Safma Director Imtiaz Alam and architect Nayyer Ali Dada (members of the committee) were present. Rahat Saeed is the secretary of the committee.

Mr Rehman said that in view of the tumultuous times the country was going through Faiz`s message of peace and love held relevance as was his advocacy for equality among people. He said the centenary celebrations would take place in all big and small cities of the country including Gilgit-Baltistan.

Besides, he said, events would be held in 19 cities of India and also at many places in Europe. The PWAP and many government and private institutions were also celebrating Faiz`s centenary; the first named had formed teams in small cities and other countries for better coordination. He said two books had been launched in Islamabad as part of the celebrations.

He said Faiz gave an alternative vision and his poetry was broad-based and was for all schools of thought, for he was a poet of peace and love.

Safma Director Imtiaz Alam also underscored the need for highlighting Faiz`s message of peace and love in this day and age of terrorism and unrest. He said Faiz should be taught at schools, colleges and `madressahs`.

Nayyer Ali Dada said timelessness of Faiz`s poetry made him a great poet. His poetry had great impact not only in Pakistan and India but also in other countries.

The other members on the committee are: Sobho Gyanchandani, Hamid Akhtar, Zafarullah Poshni, Abid Hasan Manto, Afzal Ahsen Randh! awa, Sal ima Hashmi, Yusuf Jamal, Zehra Nigah, Mushtaq Ahmed Yusufi, Ibrahim Joyo, Abdullah Jan Jamaldini, Dr Manzoor Ahmed, Dr Ishrat Hussain, Agha Nasir, Fehmida Riaz, Salim Raz, Lateef Afridi, Haider Abbas Gardezi, Yar Jan Badini, A Majeed, Anees Haroon, Dr Tipu Sultan, Pervez Shaukat, Nabi Ahmed and Babar Ayaz (media coordinator).

In India the programmes will be held in Mumbai, Delhi, Aligarh, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Allahabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Srinagar, Jaipur, Kolkata and other cities.

In February the major events in Lahore would include a photograph exhibition, a book launch, International Mushaira at PTV, international colloquium at LUMS, an evening with Shabana Azmi, Faiz Aman Mela and Tina Sani Sings Faiz. These events would take place between Feb 7 and 13.The objective of the celebrations is to promote peace and harmony among people of all races and nationalities, transcending religious, ethnic and linguistic differences. At a time when the identity of the Pakistani people has been tarnished by crimes against humanity perpetrated by self-appointed protagonists of religion, there is no one better than Faiz to project the real self of the nation. Through Faiz we can show the world that the people of Pakistan are tolerant, peaceful, loving and warmhearted, says a message.