The writers, intellectuals, poets of Sindh paid rich tribute to the legendary poet Shaikh Ayaz on his 90th birthday celebration arranged by Provincial Culture Department at Sindh Museum Hyderabad.
The Speakers including Zaib Sindhi in his speeches said that Shaikh Ayaz was ignored by Provincial Culture Department in the past but during the present Government the Culture Department gave importance to his work and translated, published and promoted his work/poetry within and outside the country.
The Chairperson Sindhi Language Authority Dr. Fahmida Hussain in her comment said that after great poet of Sindh Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, Shaikh Ayaz was the second great poet and scholar of Sindh who embodied the people of Sindh about theories of their leaders through verses. Dr. Hameed Sindhi in his speech said that the poetry of Shaikh Ayaz risen as a national poetry. He said that Shaikh Ayaz gave the national identification to the people of Sindh through his poetry and ideology. Kazi Khadim said that Sahikh Ayaz was passing his simple life and termed his work as eternal. Ibrahim Joyo writer and intellectual of Sindh in his speech said Shaikh Ayaz was National symbol of Sindh and his work would remain a treasure for the people of Sindh. He said that Shaikh Ayaz was a great thinker of Sindh who always preached for prosperity of Sindh.
The Sindh Minister for Culture Ms Sassui Palejo while speaking as Chief Guest said that the schemes are in progress to translate, publish and promote the poetry of Shaikh Ayaz, Amar Jalil, Siraj Memon and Jamal Abro in English, Punjabi, Siraeki and other languages. She said that we already got translated and published the poetry of Shaikh Ayaz in Urdu and being translated in other languages as well. She said that Shaikh Ayaz was an eternal poet and has delivered eternal poetry. She said that Sindh is the soil of Sufies and its people would not allow any extremism. She claimed that it is the big achievement of PPP Government to pass resolution in Sindh Assembly for giving National status to Sindhi Language. She said that during last 5 years her department given priority to the research work in different fields of Culture and Literature.
Earlier while talking to the media men she said that Sindh has its unique status in the world, being soil of Sufism, the people of Sindh have spirit of tolerance, love and affection. Condemning the terrorist attacks in the Shrines in upper Sindh, she said people of Sindh always remained against the religious extremism and fundamentalism.