Faiz Ahmed Faiz (1911-1984) A Profile - M. Nazir Tabassum

Faiz Ahmed Faiz, a progressive writer, teacher, journalist and trade unionist was one of those South Asians who will never be forgotten until Urdu is read in this world. He was born on February 13, 1911 in the idyllic surroundings of the city of Sialkot. His father, Sultan Mohammed Khan, was Chief Secretary in the Court of Amir Abdur Rehman, the ruler of Afghanistan. A Scot woman, who lived in Afghanistan for many years, has written a book about him in which she states: “He (Sultan Mohammed Khan) was a man of unwavering determination who was trying to maintain law and order during a period of great unrest and turmoil”. Faiz was educated in Sialkot and Lahore. While studying in Government College, Lahore and University Oriental College, he did his MA in English and another MA in Arabic from the University of the Punjab. He started his career as a Lecturer in English at MAO College, Amritsar. It was a period of Great Depression (1929-34) and India, a British colony, was worst hit economically. There was large scale unemployment and the businesses had failed. European fascism was at its height when Mussolini and Hitler were playing havoc with the peace and order of the world. It was here that Faiz was introduced with the Progressive Writers Movement. Not only did he join this movement but he stayed committed to its ideals throughout his life. When Hitler invaded Soviet Russia and proceeded to expand his invasion to British colonies, the progressive writers including Faiz put aside for the time being their struggle for freedom from the British colonialists and pooled their intellectual resources to check the aggression of fascism. Thus Faiz resigned from Hailey College, Lahore and joined the British Indian Army where, serving until the partition of India in 1947, he rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel. In 1947 Faiz resigned from the army and started his career as a journalist. He served as Chief Editor of The Pakistan Times, the daily Imroze (Urdu) and the weekly Lail-O-Nihaar owned by the Progressive Papers Limited. In his later years he served as Principal of Abdullah Haroon Trust College located in Lyari, a labourers locality of Karachi. He was one of the founders of the trade union movement in Pakistan. For years he remained President of the Post and Telegraph Employees Union. He represented Pakistani workers in quite a few international conferences. He stood for peace and prosperity of the working classes. His poetic works include ‘Naqash-e-Faryadi’, ‘dast-e-Saba’. ‘Zindan Nama’, ‘Dast-e-Tehay Sang’, ‘Sar-e-wadi-e-Sina’, ‘’Shaam-e-Shehr Yaraan’, ‘Meray Dil Meray Mussafir’, ‘Ghubar-e-Ayyaam’ and his poetic collected works entitled ‘Nuskha haaye-Wafa’. Apart from these, Faiz published his essays on Pakistani Culture in English. His Urdu prose works include ‘Salebein Meray Dareechay Mein’ (letters to his wife from the prison)’, ‘Mittah-e-Laoh-O-Qalam’ and Mah-O-Saal-e-Aashnai (about Soviet Union). Faiz, along with many other progressive writers of Pakistan, was implicated in the Rawalpindi Conspiracy case in 1951, imprisoned and released in 1955. When General Ayub Khan imposed Martial Law after the military coup d’eta in 1958, Faiz and his progressive comrades were arrested and detained once again. In 1962 he was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize for his meritorious literary services to promote the cause of the poor and the downtrodden of the world. Faiz worked as Editor of the Lotus - a magazine of Afro-Asian literature brought out from Beirut. He had a close friendship with the PLO leader Yasser Arafat. Faiz stayed in Beirut while it was regularly bombarded by the Israelis and left only when Yasser Arafat and his PLO vacated Beirut. Faiz had been happily married to Alice George, an English lady since 1941 and bore two daughters - Saleema and Muneeza. After a brief illness he breathed his last on November 20, 1984. The year 2011 has been declared as FAIZ YEAR and is being celebrated as his centenary birth year round over the globe.

FAITH TO FAITH IN BRADFORDwith Awais Mughal May 2011

mn566@hotmail.co.uk

There is no tool for development more effective than empowerment of women (Kofi Annan - former secretary of UN). To celebrate the contribution of women in society some eminent writers, poets and guests got together at Touchstone Centre on 12 March 2011 to mark the 100 years of International Women’s Day. The theme for Women’s day was, Equal Access to Education, training, science & technology: pathway to decent work for women.

Dr Razia Ismail was the guest speaker and she came to this special occasion from Birmingham. She is a prose and poetry writer, an educationalist and a firm believer of women’s intellect development. She is a founder and chair of Aaghee (Awareness) – A Pakistani Women’s Literary and Cultural Organisation in Birmingham. She also worked as a radio programme producer, newsreader and a presenter. Her book, I Am a Woman, was published recently with English translations.

Dr Razia, whilst expressing her thoughts on this special occasion said, “to me International Women’s Day is also a Human Rights Day”. Amongst others, education is a basic human right which millions of women, for centuries, all over the world, have been denied. Education is the key to our personal, social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual development. Therefore I would urge my sisters to strengthen their relationship with words because words are a powerful tool and we can make an enormous difference through the power of words. Words have a power of healing. Speaking from her experience, she expressed that writing is a powerful therapy, “as it raises curtains, brings the past to light and the dreams that linger around, appear in a new light in black and white”. The prominence of women is to live not exist.

The poetry session was facilitated by Ms Tasneem Hassan. The session commenced with the recitation of naats (religious songs) by Ms Samia and it was followed by the poetry shared by various poets in the standing order to keep the tradition of the mushaira (poetry session). The poems were read in

Urdu though some of the poets tried to provide some close translations for monolingual guests.

Other poets who shared their poetry were, Mrs Chris Reid (Councillor - Idle & Thackley) Cathy Benson (Bradford), Ghazal Ansar (Dewsbury), Shabana Afzal (Birmingham) Pratima Mistry (Bradford) Rubina Mir (Bradford) Zubeen Ahmed (Bradford) Ms Samia (Leeds).

At this occasion homage was paid to the

renowned Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz on his 100th anniversary this year. He is remembered as a great writer and poet who transformed people’s lives by raising awareness about freedom of expression. Ms Ghazal Ansar also dedicated a poem to Faiz Ahmed Faiz.

100 Years of International Women’s Day - Awais Mughal

Tasneem Hassan

Samia

Some of the poems read by different poets are printed below.

Firstly, two poems of Razia Ismail from her book, “I Am a Woman”

My Reference

I am a woman with many referencesI am a mother, a sisterA daughter and a wife.

But within these where is my own reference?Within the oceans of my own heart

Lies a priceless seashell,Rocked by turbulent seas of blood

The pearl lies safe. This is my treasure.This is my reference.

Educated

My well educated intelligent sonWhose heart and soul is

Illuminated with knowledge needs a wife. A Wife!Educated but ignorant

Wise but simpleShe must be

Innocent despite being cleverNo room for personal views in this household

She must not be carrying The burden of thoughts.

Her education should be – an accusation The beacon of darkness Must be her soul and mind

Because My son needs a wifeNot an instructor

Cathy Benson Razia IsmailZubeen Ahmed Rubina Mir

A Woman I Know - Catherine Benson

On the edge of this cityIn the heart of this estate

You’ll find her with her children.This is her seventh house,

Not counting the hostel, miles awayFrom all she knew, or the detention centre.

She’d pack up what she could and goWherever they put her. Kept every place

She went to like a new pin.Always left the rogue landlords

Her gift of cleanliness Resigned to God’s will, she lived in hope,

Pushed down her knot of fear

For her children this house is good,Their home is her love.

Now, in the heart of this estate on the edgeOf this city, her knot of fear won’t leave her,

Outside in the maze of streets and playgroundOlder children roam in gangs.

Danger in their pockets She keeps her children indoors

When they are that age, she says, she mustMove house again, “Please God, I hope,”She says, “no stay, I hope. Too much drug.

No good for children. Maybe I can go.I hope,” she shrugs, “please God”.

Summer 2007- Pratima Mistry

I hear the sound of thunderDashing hopes of sunbathing asunder

I hear the spitting rainDripping, overflowing the drain

I hear the weather forecastRain in the British Isles, it will outlast

The Summer!

Chris Reid and Barbara Simpson sang the following song at this occasion:

There is a line of womenExtending back to Eve Whose role in shaping historyGod only could conceiveAnd though, through endless ages,Their witness was repressed,God valued and encouraged themThrough whom the world was blessed

So sing a song of SarahTo laughter she gave birth,And sing a song of TamarWho stood for women’s worthAnd sing a song of HannahWho bargained with her Lord,And sing a song of MaryWho bore and bred God’s word.

Penny Johnson, counsellor at Touchstone Centre expressed that, “There was a friendly atmosphere as we gathered for ‘Listening to the Words - Women Writers for Peace’ on 12 March. Most of the readings were in Urdu and even though I didn’t know their meaning I could still appreciate the rhythm and flow of the verse. Poetry is part of our human story - it speaks from the soul and, along with a felt sense of being caught up in ancient oral tradition, that was enough for me to enjoy the occasion. However, as I settled into this poetic space I found myself pondering what it felt like not to understand the words I was listening to.

This in turn reminded me of a time in the 1970’s when I went to live and work in Spain. I was unfamiliar with the language. Spanish, when not understood, sounds a little like a machine gun. When I didn’t grasp what was being said people either treated me as someone of limited intelligence or they deemed it necessary to shout the same message over and over again in the hope that eventually I’d hear and respond. To make matters worse I was fair with a pale complexion among those who were dark and olive-skinned. I was altogether-different! I often felt humiliated and lonely. It did nothing for my already below average self-esteem.

This memory left me wondering what it must be like for those living in the UK with a limited knowledge of English. Being able to express ourselves in words and when those words are heard by others is vital to our emotional well being. Language and listening that goes with it creates a bridge, allowing us to relate fully to another person. Through close relationships we have the chance to be human to our fellow human beings. Even if we don’t speak the same language, we can be welcoming. We can laugh at our differences and recognise our common ground. We can bless one another with a smile.”

100 Years of International Women’s Day (cont)

There is a line of womenWho took on powerful menDefying laws and scruplesTo let life live again.And though, despite their triumph,Their stories stayed untold,God kept their number growing,Creative, strong and bold

So sing a song of ShiphrahWith Puah close at hand,Engaged to kill male children,They foiled the king’s command.And sing a song of RahabWho sheltered spies and lied,And sing a song of Estherpreventing genocide.

There is a line of women Who stood by Jesus side,Who held him while he ministered And held him when he died.And though they claimed he’d risenTheir news was deemed suspectTill Jesus stood among them,His womanly elect.

So sing a song of AnnaWho saw Christ’s infant face,And sing a song of MarthaWho gave him food and space,And sing of all the Mary’s Who heeded his requests,And now at heaven’s banquetAre Jesus’ fondest guests.

Chris Reid & Barbara Simpson

For Naimat Ahmer - A Eulogy 1995 - Iftikhar Nasim

The assassination of Salman Taseer (the governor of Punjab) and Christian politician Shahbaz Bhatti in Pakistan left a deep distress and grief among many people in UK and Pakistan. Both challenged the misuse of blasphemy law.

Naimat Ahmer was falsely accused and killed in 1995 in the same manner. Iftikhar Nasim, a well recognised poet, writer and activist in Chicago, wrote a poem for Naimat Ahmer which has been used again to pay tribute to the efforts of Salman Taseer and Shahbaz Bhatti.

I see your bloodOozing out of jugular

I mourn my tribe’sArrogant ignorance

World is watchingTrust me, my Naimat!

My Prophet was gentleForgave Hinda-the Cannibal

Meccans throw rubbish on othersWho can forgive them?

Believe me, my Ahmer!My Prophet was still here?My tribe would do Justice

I know, my Ahmer!Hands that kill you,My tribe’s youngsters

Your Cross, my brother!I am your Simon, my martyr!

You go to heaven my brotherI carry your Cross and wither!

Diocese of Leeds

THE CALL TO DIALOGUEExploring the Catholic Bishops’ statement on interreligious dialogue:

Saturday 25th June 2011.

9.30 for 10.00 am start to 1.30 pm - Buffet lunch

Wheeler Hall, St Anne’s St, Leeds LS2 8BE

The Bishop of Leeds Arthur Roche will welcome the speakers:

Archbishop Kevin McDonald (Chair of the Bishops’ Committee for Other Religions);

The Bishop of Pontefract Tony Robinson (Chair of Kirklees Faiths Forum);

Fakhara Rehman (Community Faiths Coordinator Kirklees Faiths Forum).

There will be good opportunity for discussion and questions.

“Meeting God in Friend and Stranger”There is no charge but donations up to £5 are requested to help cover costs.

Please book places by Monday 13th June by contacting David Jackson: Telephone 01274 581094; email: dandt55@btinternet.com ; 43 Moorhead Crescent, Shipley, West Yorks BD18 4LQ.

Celebration PantomimeCelebration PantomimeCelebration PantomimeCelebration PantomimeYYYYeeeeaaaarrrrssss

For our 21st Anniversary Celebration, members of staff starred alongside other friends of Touchstone in a pantomime written specially to celebrate the support

given to us by Rev Peter Whittaker during his time as District Chair.We had a tremendous evening - thanks to everyone for your support.

FAITH TO FAITH IN BRADFORD32 Merton Road, Bradford BD7 1RE 01274 721626

faith2faith@touchstone-bradford.org.uk

Editors: Awais Mughal and David Howarth

Items may be freely reproduced and contributions are always welcome.

Summer 'At Home' and Barbecue

at 32 Merton Road, BD7 1RE

Thursday 9th June11.00 am - 2.00 pm

To assist with catering -please let us know you are coming!

BIBLEFRESH FESTIVAL

You are invited to a day of celebration prompted by the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible.

There is a choice of morning WORDshops in various local churches, to inspire, challenge or fascinate you.

The WORDshops are free to attend, but as numbers are limited you can book in advance to guarantee a place -

by emailing biblefresh@wymethodist.org.uk.

The Delius Centre will be open for tea, coffee and Bible-writing between 12.30pm and 2.00pm.

In the afternoon Outdoor Event, you are invited to join us as we move through the city centre telling Bible stories through drama and encouraging passers-by to ‘Write by Hand, Take to Heart’. No need to book, just meet at the Urban Garden at 2.00pm.

Our Evening Celebration is in the Great Hall of Bradford University with special guests, Adrian and Bridget Plass.

The Celebration begins at 7.00pm, but a coffee bar at the University will be open from 5.00pm. Tickets can be bought in advance using the booking form in this leaflet. Please note -

the last date for bookings is Saturday 4th June.

Saltaire Methodist Church is also hosting the Biblefresh Art Exhibition, a stimulating display of work by local Christian artists to help people engage with the Bible.

More details about the day can be found at www.westyorkshiremethodist.org.uk/festival.

Bradford Methodist Circuits Saturday 11th June

2011

A street party in Ashgrove -

off Great Horton Road opposite Bradford University

Sunday 5th June 1.00- 3.00 pm

Stalls, Food, Fun for all the Family