Condolence reference: Homage paid to courageous Perween Rahman

Civil society members, literati pay respects to the social worker and her services.

ISLAMABAD:

Civil society and intellectuals paid tribute to the commendable services of the slain social worker and Orangi Town Pilot Project Director Perween Rahman at a condolence reference here on Thursday.

They condemned the brutal attack, demanding the government bring to book all those involved in attacks on social workers.

Harris Khalique, columnist and social activist, expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, especially in Karachi where such attacks have become frequent. “There was time I wrote columns on social issues but now a column of condolence is painful, “he said.

He dubbed Rahman a symbol of courage and determination.

Simi Kamal, women’s rights activist, reminisced her time with Rahman.

“She was a great friend and sister. Soft-spoken and courageous, she knew how to handle a difficult situation with a smile on her face,” she said.

Kishwar Naheed, poet and social activist, said, “I cannot forget the moment when I received a call from Tahira Abdullah telling me that another courageous fellow activist of ours had been brutally murdered.”

She lamented that people working for lofty causes are being victimised but the government is indifferent.

“Currently none of the political parties has a plan of action to provide security to us, all they have is a plan of action to kill all innocent and hardworking people,” she said.

In remembrance of all the lives lost in terrorist attacks, she read a poem titled “Dekh rahi hai humari maa”.

Tasneem Siddiqui, social activist and former bureaucrat, termed Rahman’s death a huge loss. She recalled the efforts Rahman rendered for the poor round-the-clock. Siddiqui said Rahman’s work was spread out from Karachi to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, adding that during the 2005 earthquake, the social worker provided 16,000 shelters to the homeless.

She highlighted the women savings group that Rahman set up and used to improve health and sanitation issues at underprivileged areas.

Later, a declaration for countering violence against community workers and human right activists’ defenders was presented. The declaration called upon the state to declare such crimes as terrorist acts and establish measures to deal with them accordingly.

Moreover, it called upon the media to play its part in stemming the rising tide of violence against innocent people and political parties  thus declaring its full commitment for promoting values of non-violence and social justice.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2013.