'Time to break barriers to genuine dialogue'

The second day of the 10th Islamabad Literature Festival (ILF) featured a powerful lineup of book launches, panel discussions, poetry sessions, and film screenings, all under the theme "Words Change Mindsets."

Attended by prominent authors, poets, scholars, and cultural icons, the festival celebrated the transformative power of literature, art, and dialogue.

The highlight of the day was the screening of "Umro Ayyar: A New Beginning," a cinematic adaptation of classic folklore, which captivated the audience with its fresh and imaginative storytelling.

The day comprised multiple engaging book launches. 'Tareekh Ki Azeem Feminist Auratein' by Naeem Mirza and Kishwar Naheed opened the lineup, with a discussion led by moderator Sameena Nazir.

In another compelling launch, Another Story of the Bad Woman by Kishwar Naheed brought together Kathy Gannon, Nadia Tahir, Arshad Waheed, Ilona Yusuf, and Safeer Awan, moderated by Asma Mansoor, to explore bold narratives challenging societal norms.

Awais Khan's In the Shadows of Love was read and discussed by Shaza Khan, while What More Could She Possibly Want? by Ayesha Husain sparked a thoughtful conversation between the author and Sonia Irum. Shafqat Naghmi's Saat Janam, discussed with Arshad Mahmood Nashad and Asghar Nadeem Syed, moderated by Hameed Shahid.

Miltay Hain August Main by Inaam Nadeem featured a dialogue with Hameed Shahid.

Mere Jinn Nikal Gaye by Hamid Ateeq Sarwar featured insights from Sarwar Sharif Awan, Harris Khalique, and Quratul Ain Haider, with Sultan Nasir moderating. Bhadoon by Madiha Arsalan saw a discussion with Ismaa Sa'adat, moderated by Sara Ali, while Safdar Rasheed's Kahani Aik Nazm Ki, exploring T S Eliot's The Waste Land, was discussed with Rashid Saleem.

Iftikhar Arif, paying tribute to the departed scholars in Yaad-e-Raftagan, stated, "We wish to keep them living for us - their contributions are exemplary, but most significantly their identification with the Tarraqi Pansand Tehreek is responsible for some of the greatest jewels adorning our literary skies."

Mushahid Hussain and Ikram Sehgal, in Pakistan Bangladesh Relations – A New Perspective, insisted on bridging the trust deficit between the two nations, "We need bilateral relations with no visa or tariff – with the natural assertion of Muslim identity in Bangladesh, we have a renewed vigour. Ground realities have changed, and the time is right to break the artificial barriers."

Unlocking Worlds explored the weakness of artificial intelligence for translations and encouraged personal perspectives to be retained instead of mechanical interpretations.

Fateh Muhammad Malik, in Iqbal ka Paigham Daur-e-Hazir Ke Naam, lamented the loss of learnings that Iqbal had so brilliantly encased in his poetry, while Walid Iqbal shared his grandfather's letters to showcase the humane and philosophical perspective of the great scholar.