Sindh

Desperately seeking Faiz

There were no boards or volunteers to guide visitors to the main grounds; Faiz was found only on banners and posters.

Zehra Abid April 17, 2011

KARACHI: The road to Jashn-e-Faiz was unwelcoming. The way to the CDGK Sports Complex was blocked by barricades from where a bus took visitors half way to the main gate. This came as no surprise, however, in this city of millions where eight people’s names were added to the growing list of target killing victims just a night before. To top it off, Faiz Ahmed Faiz was hard to find.

In between stalls on organic food, art work, a local band and a burger van, Faiz was found only on banners and posters.

There were no boards or volunteers to guide visitors to the main grounds, and people asked for friends and familiar faces for directions. After about half an hour of looking for a session on flood victim rehabilitation, I discovered that the schedule given at the entrance and on the Citizens for Democracy website was incorrect. The lecture planned for 1 pm started at 11 am instead.

Near the tennis courts - Pindal One - where the session on flood victims was held, a worried Tasneem Siddiqui was walking around. His daughter asked me if I was one of the organisers; they couldn’t seem to find anyone either. The writer had to speak on urbanisation, but he doesn’t know where to go.

A journalist from a television channel eagerly asked, “Do you have notes? I have the wrong schedule and missed the event.” It was good to know that I was not alone. After buying a soft drink for Rs50, another journalist, just as disappointed by the event, said in a scathing tone, “They are just making money with Faiz’s name.” But amid all the chaos and disappointments, there was something there that was special. In between banners on land reforms, and slogans that said “The killing of one is the killing of humanity,” there was freedom of speech - a right to be much treasured in this country.

As I walked out, a small procession from a communist party walked by chanting “Mullah gardi kay peechay wardi hai.” My heart swelled.

View slideshow here.

COMMENTS (34)

lol | 13 years ago | Reply Bechara Faiz is now a hostage to his oppressor class. This new found honeymoon of elites with Faiz is nothing but pretense and hypocrisy.

Ali | 13 years ago | Reply @Hadia:- your sarcasm is nauseating or maybe ur just trying to be funny. Remember no body is laughing with u they are all laughing at u.

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Amir | 13 years ago | Reply I agree with Hassan. The signboards were hardly to be seen and they too were in English. Something CFD should have thought about. In addition to the same the days schedule was only available to the journalists and no one else had a clue as to what is going on. Secondly there were multiple schedules and the one on the website was incorrect. Something admitted by our very dear Mohsin Saeed himself at the event.

Hassan | 13 years ago | Reply I was also at the event and yes it was nothing but an excellent example of mismanagement. The 8 th feet posters which were placed to guide the people were only 2 in number and secondly they were in the English language making is impossible for a lot of people to make any sense of it. Secondly CFD should explain whether any donation was sought from the multinationals. If yes then they should enlighten us in their God given infinite wisdom whether that is a contradiction. How does CFD substantiate a figure of 30,000? I am sure thats a joke or sorts. Lastly people who claim to uphold the virtues of Faiz should have the tolerance to take criticism and avoid making threats i.e. Sabeen Mahmud.

Sheraryar X | 13 years ago | Reply @Hadia Khan: Happy 420! I believe you started earlier than the rest of us.

Aamna | 13 years ago | Reply Its amazing how a little bit of honest criticism can have such ugly repercussions. All those calling the journalist 'myopic' need to look within and think whether their caustic, laced-with-sarcasm and downright warlike comments to this piece are in fact 'faizian'. if a visitor making a simple observation that the event was haphazard can go down like this, can u imagine what this says about the level of tolerance we have as a people!? are these faizian principles that we must learn to uphold?? zehra is simply a journalist who wanted to cover an event. that could not happen because of someone issuing a messed-up event schedule. she has a right to voice her opinion and i hope to read more from her, undeterred.

Bishop Dr. Ijaz Inayat | 13 years ago | Reply Yes the comments should come the Pakistani way. I was not there but I appreciate the fact that some people stood up to raise their voice for what they think was right. No harm in pointing out the shortcomings. It is better to join them for the improvement, but I am sure they will learn from their mistake to improve it next time. I will be joining them in the preparatory sessions next time. I would invite all those who are heart broken for not getting a VIP treatment to join for improvements. Bless you all.

HaySoos | 13 years ago | Reply I find it ironic that the CFD (Citizens For Democracy) are being so narrow minded and undemocratic over the views of one individual. Bullying someone's opinion and perspective is not very democratic is it now. Also the elitist twitterati should refrain from handing out their version of fatwas, hiding behind their laptops and tweeting ludicrous threats, theyr as bad as the taliban.

Aisha | 13 years ago | Reply If someone doesn`t like the event she/he should have the right to say so. And if the event was so awesome then you shouldnt care what one visitor thought. Freedom of speech, anyone?

NA | 13 years ago | Reply How shameful that people who claim to be preaching tolerance and democratic ideals cannot take criticism!! What principals are these people following?? It was an extremely disorganised event and I have no idea why it was called Jashne Faiz in the first place??!??!

Sheraryar X | 13 years ago | Reply @Dua Naqvi: Perhaps she does, and does not brag about it.

Dua Naqvi | 13 years ago | Reply Armchair Activism and criticism prove one thing and one thing alone: That you're too damn lazy to actually do something about it.

Sheraryar X | 13 years ago | Reply Sabeen Mahmud wrote on her twitter account that she wanted to hit the writer of this article, will she do that peacefully or harmoniously?

Badsha | 13 years ago | Reply An anti-America Faiz, anti-Zionism Faiz and anti-capitalism Faiz now is a wrap for the America-financed human rights activists, Soros-financed democracy and free market economy! Faiz Ahmad Faiz must be turning upside down in his grave!

Tariq | 13 years ago | Reply Agreed with Reporter

Sheraryar X | 13 years ago | Reply Yes how noble it was of the CFD to force people to sign their petition and give their cnics after they had paid the 20 rps entry fee. And no your young organizers didn't give the masses a choice to sign or not to sign they actually told them they couldn't enter without signing. Elitism at its finest and most hypocritical.

Saher | 13 years ago | Reply Kudos to you Zehra for writing the truth. It was a very disorganised event and I don't think why people should have a problem when it is highlighted.

Sadia | 13 years ago | Reply Very interesting facts by Ms Zehra, I was there too & I’m wondering did she really go to Jeshn –e- Fiaz? Because I did see lots of young boys & girls working as volunteers since early morning .I also had a chance to have lunch there but for some odd reason I only paid regular prices for every thing Ms Zehra I would really like to exchange notes with you to have more clarity on this “Making money” project since you seem to be an authority on events may be we could make a lot of money by doing a better job It’s a pity how we love to be a critic & worst that our news papers don’t even bother to check any facts prior to publishing but I guess that’s OK with Tribune since they keep publishing conflicting stories We need to respect the fact that they are also a young news paper & like Ms Zehra & still finding their way around

shahida kazi | 13 years ago | Reply I agree 100 percent with the writer.It was the most disorganised event I have ever been to.It was supposed to start at 11 am ,and I reached the venue around 11,30.there was nothing there.the stalls were empty,no organiser was there to tell me the venue of the seminars,no map of the site or anything.Ultimately I found the place where the seminars were to be held,which by the way was exposed to the blazing sun .But there was no audience,just the speakers ,looking lost..Ultimately some truckloads of people mainly comprising women and small chil;dren were brought in from the flood relief camps,and they were made to sit on the chaairs ,and the seminars were set to begin.That is when I decided to leave knowing that Faiz would be turning in his grave seeing what was being done in his name.I would like to request anyone that if in future you are organising a programme in the name of any great personality,please pay some attention and see that the programme is in accord with the name of the p;ersonality.

zainab.imam | 13 years ago | Reply If CFD managed to bring 30,000 people to the KMC ground, why were they not able to put up clear directions? That should have been easy given these people are as western-educated as those writing for this paper.

Hadia Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Thanks for your enlightening review, Ms Abid. Things I did not see at Jash-e-Faiz although I spent the whole day there, you saw. You are truly blessed with a Vision that stupid commoners like me are not. Awam like me easy to manipulate and made to feel impressed by small things like Citizens for Democracy and their efforts. What would I know? Visionaries like yourself are such blessing for us, you make use see the real picture. I request you to gather Citizens for Democracy members, specially the Organisers of Jashn-e-Faiz, the blithering, elitist idiots and punish them by lecturing them on how to organise a series of talks/seminars on the following topics: How to Organise a Mega Event 101, How to Make 'Journalists' Look for What They are Looking for 101, How to Highlight Faiz in an event Named After Him 101 (I am sure Faiz himself would benefit from your wealth of knowledge on him. Don't worry, now will make sure that he is in the audience) and whatever you like to speak on and enlighten us. In lieu, I would like to organise exclusive sessions with you on Critical Thinking 101, Critical Writing 101, How to get rid of the addition of 'being spoonfed' 101, How to be a journalist 101 (If you like you bring those 'journalists' too who suffered by CFD's callous attitude), How to Look for Stories Instead of Organisational Glitches in a Mega Event 101, How to Seek Faiz in an Event Based on Faiz Ahmed Faiz's Work, Struggle and Vision 101 (Keynote Speaker will be Nuskha Hai Wafa), and How to Become a Journalist If You Claim to be One Instead of MInsistry of Event Management Inspector 101... I would like you to read your own paper today. Oh wait a second, let me guide you to the section. Pick up the newspaper, yes Express Tribune, leave the section that announces the name, oh no no not that one that is International Herald Tribune, yes, I know, I know that one is also Tribune, but for moment leave that one. Okay for your convenience, leave both Tribunes, pick the section that announces Karachi, yes K A R A C H I...Good. Now turn over the page, yes, grrreat. You are wonderful. You have achieved so much in such little time. Now read the WHOLE page. In the end I would like to say even Hellen Keller could see Faiz sahib's presence and hear him everywhere at Karachi Sports Complex on Sunday April 17, 2011. But again, she did not have the senses that you have.

fia khan mehmood | 13 years ago | Reply i agree with bishop. so proud of CFD for having done this. btw i have a question for the author - what did you do to help?

Atika.rehman | 13 years ago | Reply Loved the review Zehra! Most of the people I spoke with had the same complaints. The Citizens of Democracy should have organised the event - "courage and commitment" is appreciated but if the event isn't organised, all noble thoughts will be in vain.

Amima | 13 years ago | Reply My question to you Zehra Abid is, why didnt you offer your services to usher or guide people and fulfil your social responsibility?? Or joined the CFD meetings or went up to the Secretariat to inform and advise them? Nah, but you were too busy wanting to be clever! May I also ask what you understand of Faiz?? How much have you read him and how have your drawn correlations with daily life and what Faiz stands for? Zilch it seems. Get a life, and get a perspective...Faiz is not about just reciting his poetry (which by the way was done in the Mushaira). Faiz is about people coming together and raising their voices for a cause, which was happening in every corner of the Sports Complex yesterday. Take your blinkers off, it was not an exam paper where you'd have to do a summary of a Faiz verse, and getting it right! It was CELEBRATION of FAIZ - his ideas, spirit, resistance, words, and most importantly, PEOPLE!! And please do get your facts right - on the entrance, at the CFD registration desk, there were countless copies of programme. You just had to ask! Also there was a 8 ft long panaflex with a map of Sports Complex. I guess you needed to use the eyes too...alas yours were busy finding fault, hence obviously missed the directions!!!

niilofur farrukh | 13 years ago | Reply All classes, ethnic and social groups came together to speak out against exploitation, violence and extremism that usurp citizens' rights. A theme central to Faiz's poetry. Culture too was there in abundance and uplifted the spirit of the visitors as youth spontaneously joined Shedi and Sindhi dancers.Faiz believed culture was deeply linked to development as it has the power to de-brutalized people. Besides management hicups...there were many positives and deserve a mention in Zehra's piece.

niilofur farrukh | 13 years ago | Reply The Jashne Faiz managed to celebrate the ideals of the poet to bring all elasticities, religious groups and social classes together in a show of unity against extremism and exploitation. It gave the youth a space to enjoy themselves and provided a cultural space to the city with a free mushaira, concert and much more. Faiz was a great advocate of culture for all not just the sterile elite events we are so used to now. Faizian philosophy guided CFD. Management issues aside the positives deserved more space in Zehra's piece.

afia | 13 years ago | Reply Naziha just snatched the words i wanted to use... what a myopic article.... Faiz was everywhere... he was there amongst the dancers, sitting with the burqa and chadar clad women who were clapping the fiery denunciations of the misuse of Blasphemy law, walking around with the young volunteer girls and boys handing out revolutionary leaflets, registering guests, guiding them, taking a trip to give shabaash to the tireless organizers in the media center, standing alongside those reading his poetry and looking at Vai Ell's interpretations, or Feica's cartoons, in the audience at pindals discussing environment, urban issues and community empowerment, leading rallies of flood affected persons, factory workers and swaying with the audience at the mushaira and concert. However, one place where Faiz got lost was when he wrote 'hum daikhain ge'... some, especially some reporters, do NOT have the ability to 'daikho!'

Farooq Tirmizi | 13 years ago | Reply There are enough competently organised events in Pakistan for the writer to have a fair point about her criticisms for the chaotic management.

Shayan Afzal Khan | 13 years ago | Reply The writer seems to have completely missed the point of this effort. Did she even notice that the Citizens for Democracy managed to collect a huge crowd of 30,000 and were able to get their resolution adopted - http://citizensfordemocracy.wordpress.com/2011/04/17/jashne-faiz-cfd-resolution/ calling for a repeal of all unjust laws, including the blasphemy law?

Kareem | 13 years ago | Reply What the writer has written is absolutely true. there was no guidance no directions. people kept on missing seminars and events because there was not a single board which would inform them where the events are being conducted. it was total mismanagement. then there was no mention of faiz expect in the mushaira about the poet. if this event was being carried out in his name, the least the organizers could have done is to promote his messages and poetry. the food court was outrageously expensive. things were being sold for double their price. then the discussions werent exactly informative. in fact the topics which speakers spoke on have been taught about thousands of times. the road was blocked and people had to either wait for shuttle buses in the heat or walk for miles. we had to undergo rigious checking and get arms stamped and show nic as if we were entering a battle zone. the number of police officers and booted rangers simply scared my children. also it seemed more of a communist and labor party event than for the claimed citizens event.

Kiran N | 13 years ago | Reply Money making in the name of Faiz? when around 30,000 people were entered mostly voluntarily and otherwise for Rs 20 'if' they could pay. Scores of suppressed and socially undermined showed up and rallied with whatever cause moved them, spoke out, speeches, informed and exchanged view. People from all walks of life danced together to the rhythm of piece (emphasis-->) in Karachi, discussed about revealing issues in Pakhtoonkhua and emerged with flags demanding freedom and the 'right to speak' and all you get to understand is that you did not have volunteers to escort you to the Pindal? What an effortless thought. The 50 bucks drink was, by the way was an opportunity for the vendors to manage a life in an inflating society. You work at the PRESS? And this is your observation? See through. Can you?

Syed Ammar Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply I'd like to concur with title .

Bishop Dr. Ijaz Inayat | 13 years ago | Reply The message has gone beyond borders. Somebody took the initiative at least. I bless them to grow in numbers and results. Let us all join them.

Naziha | 13 years ago | Reply What a mean-spirited review. How typical of these oh-so-clever young journalists to miss the woods for the trees and look down their noses at everything. Do you realize what a HUGE challenge it must have been to organize an event in today's Pakistan asserting one's right to speak against injustice, against exploitation and more specifically, against the blasphemy law? Do you have any realization of the courage and commitment it takes to publicly demand amendments to the blasphemy law? Shame on you.

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