By Daud Malik
ISLAMABAD: Speakers on Thursday remembered Faiz Ahmed Faiz as a humanist, teacher, journalist, trade unionist, and a poet whose work touched lives across cultural and political divides, as he pursued “equality in societal relations”.
“Faiz is still relevant because he believed in becoming part of life`s struggle,” Iftikhar Arif, chairman National Language Authority, told a Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) seminar to commemorate the 100th birthday of Faiz.
Other speakers included Mehar Ghulam Farid Khatia, who was introduced as a story writer instead of former federal state minister, Ishfaq Hussain, who has written books on Faiz, Ishfaq Saleem Mirza, Agha Nasir, Yousaf Hassan, and Sarwat Mohyuddin. A book Faiz Ahmed Faiz in Beirut was also launched at the seminar.
Terming Faiz as progressive idealist and humanist, Arif said Faiz`s poetry remained dynamic, though “ideas and concepts became stale over the years”. Reciting Faiz`s poems and praising it for its lyrical quality, he termed him an “extraordinary man” who never hit back at his critics.
Saleem Mirza termed `Mujh say pehli si mohabat meray mehboob na mang` a “metamorphic moment” in Faiz`s life, announcing his ideological outlook. He regretted that Faiz, whose work became an identity for Pakistan, was portrayed negatively by the `establishment`. For him, the misunderstandings about Faiz still exist and nobody, including those who believe in his humane ideas, is doing anything to repel them.
Yousaf Hassan said the real issue for Faiz was “class struggle” and not enlightenment. He maintained that there is a need to study the “social relations” anew to address the inequalities that are shaping today`s world. He added Faiz also wanted to review relations that defined “societal setup” to bring in harmony and equality.
Agha Nasir said years ago he was pleasantly surprised when Qazi Hussain Ahmed, former chief of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), narrated Faiz`s poem `Meray Hamdum, meray dost`. He added that Faiz`s poetry touched everybody across political and cultural divide – a quality that sets him apart from others. He read an article from his book on Faiz ` Hum jeetay jee masroof rahay` .
Ishfaq Hussain discussed Faiz`s ability to turn life`s ordinary experiences into powerful poetic expressions. “Faiz`s poetry is timeless because he turns mundane incidents into powerful poetry, which transcends physical boundaries and attains a universal outlook.” Hussain said Faiz`s personality became a symbol of Pakistani literature and culture, as his work has been translated into many world languages.
Sarwat Mohyuddin discussed Faiz`s days in prison during the Rawalpindi conspiracy case and how it affected his family, especially his two daughters, Muneeza and Salima. She said Alys bravely dealt with days without Faiz and took care of the family.
Farid Khatia said the poetry of Faiz and leadership of ZA Bhutto inspired him to give up government job to join politics and become part of the `struggle` for the people`s rights.
Dr Abdaal Bela, PAL`s acting director general, read an essay of known scholar Helen Goodway on Faiz.
Source: Dawn
Date:2/11/2011
