PESHAWAR: The members of newly found literary organisation ‘Hamza Baba Adabi Tolana’ have vowed to launch research on scientific lines to discover various hidden aspects of life and literary works of Ameer Hamza Khan Shinwari.

The decision was taken at inaugural seminar and a Sufi musical concert at Nishtar Hall here on Sunday. The event was organised by Hamza Baba Adabi Tolana.

The members of the oragnisation told the participants that they would arrange seminars, symposia and poetry sessions on Hamza Baba and other literary figures on regular basis. They said that the events would not be limited only to birth and death anniversaries. “We will promote, propagate and preserve message of Hamza Baba and of all our heroes,” they pledged.

Interim committee to run affairs of newly found Hamza Baba Adabi Tolana

Iranian Consul General in Peshawar Syed Hasan Alvi, Iranian Culture Centre Director General Syed Ali Yousafi, Afghanistan Trade Commissioner Mirwais Yousafzai, MNA Hamidul Haq and Deputy Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud were also present on the occasion. A large number of poets, writers, intellectuals, scholars, artistes and fans of Hamza Baba attended the event.

Mirwais Yousafzai said that Hamza Baba and many other modern and classical Pashto literary figures enjoyed respect for their services to Pashto language and literature.

“I am pleased to know that Pakhtun literary figures are duly honoured. They have rendered meritorious services for Pakhtun nation in different times and various capacities. Naming a road after Hamza Baba is a positive gesture,” said Mr Yousafzai said.

Riaz Khan Mehsud while speaking as chief guest appreciated Hamza Baba Adabi Tolana for organising the function and also announced that a prominent square or road in the city would be named after the legendary Sufi poet as a symbol of recognition of his matchless literary services at public level.

He said that district administration would extend every possible support to Hamza Baba Adabi Tolana in carrying out literary and cultural activities in the city.

MNA Hamidul Haq said that he would ask Chief Minister Pervez Khattak to cooperate with Hamza Baba Adabi Tolana and make it sure to meet its genuine demands regarding funds release for publication the books of Hamza Baba and setting up a Hamza Baba Research Cell in Peshawar.

Earlier, chief organiser Mohammad Aftab Khan highlighted aims and objectives of his organisation and announced an 11-member interim committee. He said that the literary organisation was found to help publish unprinted works and also to initiate research on modern scientific lines on different aspects of Ameer Hamza Khan Shinwari.

“We want Hamza Baba cultural complex in Landi Kotal to become functional and conduct research and other literary and cultural activities there so that young people could know and benefit from works of the legendary poet,” said Mr Khan.

On the occasion, Samina Qadir, Sana Ejaz, Kalim Shinwari, Iqbal Afgar, Malik Qasim, Baseer Stori, and Laiqzada Laiq presented papers on Hamza Baba.

Later, a Sufi musical concert was conducted in which noted singers Anwar Khial, Master Rahim Gul, Meena Gul, Hashmat Sahar and Fayyaz Kheshgi performed popular Sufi numbers of Hamza Baba and received round of applause from the audience.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2016