Symbol of hope: Faiz’s message of peace should be spread further, says Rajwana

Faiz International Festival opens with a ceremony at Alhamra

LAHORE: Faiz Ahmed Faiz represents a message of hope, Governor Rafique Rajwana said on Thursday.

He was speaking at a ceremony at Alhamra to launch the Faiz International Festival.

“Through his work, Faiz gave people hope. It is important for us to continue to spread his message of tolerance and peace,” the governor said. He favoured inculcating Faiz’s poems at all levels. “Disagreements between families and even among countries are often due to a disproportionate view of self,” he said.

The governor said he was happy to see performers from India participating in the event. “Their presence shows their love for Faiz.”

Addressing Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah, Rajwana said he had seen his film Mirza Ghalib 10 times.

Faiz Foundation chairperson Salima Hashmi spoke about Faiz Ghar’s contribution towards furthering cultural activities in the city. “Cultural development has a greater impact than all other forms of development,” she said speaking about the objective of the organisation and its relation to her father’s beliefs. She said Faiz believed that culture created a sense of unity among people.

Hashmi said that over the past seven years, Faiz Ghar had strived to provide opportunities to citizens to explore Faiz’s work and helped them organise cultural activities.

She said Faiz Ghar, run by Faiz Trust, had set up a museum showcasing Faiz’s work and various items used by him. She requested the government to set up a Faiz Foundation Endowment Fund with a seed fund of Rs50 million to help improve Faiz Ghar.

The opening ceremony included a performance by Ajoka Theatre based on letters exchanged between Faiz and Alys Faiz between 1951 and 1955 when Faiz was imprisoned in Hyderabad over a conspiracy case. The letters were read out by actors Naeem Tahir and Yasmin Tahir.

Faiz’s ghazals were sung by Tina Sani, Nayyara Noor and Runa Laila. Suhaee Abro and Wahab Shah performed dances to the ghazals.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2015.