Noted intellectuals and luminaries from across the world have accepted the invitation of the Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s centennial committee to participate in a three-day centenary birthday celebration starting from November 11 in Karachi, said Rahat Saeed, the committee’s secretary, during a preparatory meeting held at the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)-Sindh general secretary’s office on Thursday.
It was decided that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani would be requested to inaugurate the celebration on November 11.
The celebration would include seminars, cultural shows, mushairas (poetry recital sessions) and poetry recitals of Faiz; and would end with a mammoth Faiz Amn Mela on November 13.
Those who have consented to participate include Dr David Mathews, Raza Ali Abidi, George Galloway from the United Kingdom, Dr Ludmila Vareleya from Russia, Dr Tash Mirza from Azerbaijan and Dr Naomi Lazard from the United States of America; a host of intellectuals such as Dr Ali Ahmed Fatmi, Prof Mushirul Hasan and Dr Roop Rekha Karna; and Indian personalities like Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Nida Fazli and Javed Akhtar.
Film legend Dilip Kumar has expressed his deep regrets because his ill health would not permit him to travel to Pakistan.
PPP-Sindh General Secretary Taj Haider has stressed close collaboration between the Sindh government and the centennial committee so that the centenary birthday celebration could be made truly memorable and a lasting symbol of the commitment of the PPP and its government to the cause of the oppressed, which Faiz used to championed in his unique style.
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