ISLAMABAD, Oct 15: Humanism was the manifesto of Faiz Ahmad Faiz, who was the voice of the suffering humanity and a staunch advocate of freedom of speech.

This was stated by speakers at the launching ceremony of Hum Jeetay Jee Masroof Rahay: Faiz Ki Shairy Manzar Aur Pas Manzar by Agha Nasir at the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL).

The book is an illustration of the background in which Faiz wrote 100 selected poems and ghazals, with some of them penned during his days behind bars, depicting condition of jails.

The speakers said Faiz’s poetry was a manifestation of the aspirations of a courageous person who wanted to see a change in the condition of suffering humanity, taking their agonies as a challenge. The ceremony was presided over by Munno Bhai while Yousaf Jamal was the chief guest.

Agha Nasir read excerpts from his book while Afsheen Kamran presented a famous poem of Faiz. The proceedings were conducted by Harris Khalique.

The speakers said Faiz was the conscience and voice of the deprived people groping in the dark in search of light. They said Faiz’s poetry is a true reflection of the incidents and conditions of his time. His poetry grew more powerful in every dark hour.

They said Faiz’s poetry offers such similies that create vibrations in the latent chords of heart, such images that lift the thoughts to great heights, such arguments that endow the aims with a certain glory and those interpretations of dreams that give directions to life.

Munno Bhai said Agha Nasir has portrayed his relation of love and respect with Faiz beautifully and positively in the form of this book which delineates the background and post-scenario of Faiz's poetry.

He stressed the need for work on documentation of the history of Progressive Papers Limited destroyed by then President Ayub Khan, adding Qudratullah Shahab and Altaf Gauhar also played a role in it.

Yousaf Jamal said he can vouch for the exactness and precision of the information spread over the pages of the book. He said Agha Nasir has done a tremendous job in refracting the finer things in Faiz’s life. He said the book was, in fact, a microscopic survey of 100 selected poems and ghazals spread over 18 chapters. He stressed the need for a sequel on macro-level analysis of Faiz’s work.

Chairman PAL Iftikhar Arif said Faiz is recognised internationally as an authentic and accomplished poet. He was the identity of Pakistani literature and Urdu language. He used his pen for the welfare of humanity and against tyranny. He said after Iqbal, Faiz was internationally acknowledged and his poetry is translated beautifully in almost all the world languages.

He said Agha Nasir’s book is first of its kind in the sense that nobody has ever authored any book explaining the background of literary work of any poet before this. He said the book would help people understand the context in which Faiz wrote various poems, especially in relation to social and political history of Pakistan.

Kishwar Naheed praised the work of Agha Nasir and said Faiz reflected the international scenario in his poetry.

She referred to her days with Faiz, Agha Nasir and other poets in Lahore.

Masood Mufti while praising the book said this was much needed to record the political happenings illustrated by Faiz in his literary work. Naeem Bukhari said while reading this book Faiz's personality unfolds itself. He said the best thing about the book was that it has been written in a simple language.