Rich tributes paid to Faiz Ahmed Faiz

The only way to defeat anti-democratic forces and block the way of dictators is to acknowledge and understand Faiz with true spirit of his thoughts and ideals. These views were expressed by Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Co-ordination, at the seminar on Faiz Ahmed Faiz organised by Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL).
Fakhar Zaman, Chairman PAL, Professor Khawaja Masud, Professor Fateh Mohammad Malik, Kishwar Naheed, Professor Alamgir Hashmi, Agha Nasir and Shabnam Shakeel were present. Mian Raza Rabbani said that Faiz always represented the oppressed class of the society in his poetry and raised voice against the exploitation of the oppressive forces.
He said that he was blamed for nothing by a specific class throughout his life but he did not change his stance. What we need is to develop patience to create a democratic environment and listen to our opponent's opinion. Only by following these rules we would be able to ensure rights of the minorities and promote values of equality and respects.
Fakhar Zaman said that by virtue of his thoughts and ideology Faiz is still alive and is a beacon of light for the coming generation. He was the representative of the conscious of the poor people. His poetry is full of agony which is unprecedented. His poetry is like a light for the oppressed section of the society.
He said that Faiz was a loving personality. He never taunted his enemies. He is the honour and identity of Urdu poetry. He said that Faiz's progressiveness was widely popular. Those who opposed Faiz for the sake of opposition now acknowledge Faiz's greatness. There are few legends like him. To promote his thoughts and ideology is need of the hour.
He said that Faiz was not only famous nationally but also well-known internationally. His poetry was for the oppressed people of the whole world. This was not acceptable to the oppressive forces. This is the reason that they tried to damage his image among people. We need to rediscover Faiz in the modern scenario.
Professor Khawaja Masud said that Faiz lived his life in a tumultuous and revolutionary era. His poetry still maintains its splendour. Faiz has deep sense of his time and history. Faiz's poetry refills the ecstasy pain and forgetfulness of a revolutionary. Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik said that it was the quality of Faiz that his opponents have never turned in to his supporters.
Agha Nasir said that Faiz's Poem "Hum Jo Tareek Rahoon Main Marey Gay" is beyond time, age and geographical limits. Wherever and whenever any innocent is crucified, echo of this song will attract the world to itself. It is Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto from Pakistan, Adnan Maindres from Turkey or Umar Mukhtar from Libya. Their deaths gave such a message to time and history that future generation will always step forward with determination and continue his struggle.
Kishwar Naheed said that Faiz has depicted international scenario beautifully which has become the forward to his poetry. Pro Alamgir Hashmi said that Faiz is translated in many major languages of world. Shabanam Shakeel said that she had been having long meetings with Fiaz and she never found him changed. He never talked ill about anyone and always happily gave sacrifice for other. The special issue of quarterly Adbiyat "Be-yad-e-Faiz Ahmed Faiz" was also launched on the occasion. Fakhar Zaman presented this special issue of quarterly Adbiyat to Mian Raza Rabbani.