KARACHI, April 18: Speakers at a seminar titled: Making Bhitai More Accessible In Other Languages deplored the declining reading habits in youth and said that half-hearted efforts by the successive governments deprived the general public adequate knowledge about the great saint poet of the region, Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai.
The seminar was organized by the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) at its Vicky Zeitlin Media Library. Eminent Sindhi scholars and poets, including Ali Ahmed Brohi, Prof Sahar Ansari, Prof Hafiz Arshad Indher and Samina Qureshi participated in the debate.
“As a nation, we have ignored the sayings and contributions by great saint poets for reforms in the society.
Ali Ahmed Brohi severely criticized the government’s indifferent attitude and said that ‘Bhitai Day’ must be observed as national holiday.
Highlighting the personality and work of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, he observed that young generation lacked knowledge about the great saint poet and philosopher because no seminar, debate, sitting or other programmes were being organized in the educational institutions.
Brohi pointed out that Shah Bhitai’s work highlighted history and social life in Sindh of 17th century. He urged educationists and literary figures of the country to promote and preach the translated work of Bhitai in the society.
Prof Sahar Ansari said that the government must establish universities and institutions for arts and culture and name them after great saint poets and thinkers like Shah Latif.
Prof Hafiz Arshad, a scholar and principal of Murad Memon Goth Degree College, emphasized the need for developing a powerful medium of communication between Sindhi and non-Sindhi speaking people.
On the basis of his study of various Arab and Persian poets, Prof Arshad spoke on the values of poetry and concluded: “Shah Latif Bhitai is one of the greatest poets of the world.”
Samina Qureshi said that the responsibility of promoting Shah Latif’s work rested with the Sindhi intellectuals who should make it understandable to the non-Sindhi speaking masses. The PTV and private channels should also extend cooperation to the intellectuals, she added.
SINDH MADRESSAH: Advisor to chief minister on finance, Aftab Shaikh, has urged that the Shah Latif day should be declared a national holiday.
He said this in his presidential address at a programme “The Message of Shah Latif” organized by Sindh Madressatul Islam (SMI) on Friday, at Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto Auditorium.
He said Shah Abdul Latif’s poetry had a universal message of love, brotherhood, tolerance and fraternity.
Lamenting the attitude of educational institutions of Sindh towards Shah Latif, he said they should organize especial programmes on Shah Latif every year.
Afaque Ahmed Siddiqui, in his speech observed there was a need to understand the poetry of Shah Latif as there was resistance and protest in his poetry.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Principal SMI Muhammad Ali Shaikh, said it was not enough to mark the day of Shah Latif only at Bhitshah or Hyderabad.—PPI
