HYDERABAD: Writers and intellectuals at the Khanabadosh Writers Cafe on Friday evening paid tribute to Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani for his iconoclastic views towards women in the Arab world.

At the fortnightly literary session of readings of poetic works, they read out Qabbani’s works, discussed his life and displayed some videos depicting his life and works, especially “O! Jerusalem” and other poems.

The speakers said that when great Arab writers were busy writing about their land, language and revolution, Qabbani, who was against all forms of oppression of women, was one poet who taught his nation “how to love a woman”. As a poet of love, he introduced new diction, they said.

Amar Sindhu said that Qabbani was known as a poet whose pen was devoted to the liberation of both body and soul. He expressed his iconoclastic views towards women and unleashed a new wave of awareness in his nation, she said.

Arfana Mallah said that Qabbani revolted against outdated customs and traditions of patriarchal and tribal Arab society, which exploited and oppressed women.

Writers who also spoke at the programme included Izhar Soomro, Chander Keswani, Attiya Dawood, Momin Khan, Shah Mohammad Pirzado, Taj Joyo, Nazir Channa, Aslam Baloch, Muneer Chandio, Mahesh Kumar, Prof Suresh Kumar and Farooq Soomro.

Published in Dawn October 4th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play