THATTA: Speakers at a conference via video link paid tribute to scholar of repute, journalist, biographer and historian Pir Hussam­uddin Shah Rashidi on his 38th death anniversary on Saturday and said critical times never stopped nations from remembering their great leaders and heroes.

Intellectual and writer Prof Dr Nawaz Ali Shauq said at the event organised by Sindh Radiant Organisation at its office in Makli that unparalleled confidence, sense of service, untiring efforts to explore and acquire knowledge made it possible for the great historian to author, edit and translate about 50 books, columns and other literary works on history, Islam, geography, poetry etc in Sindhi, Urdu, Persian, English and other languages.

Author of many books Madad Ali Sindhi said that he was a crusader in reactivating and promoting literary institutions like Sindhi Adabi Board, Institute of Sindhology and other similar literary organisations. In 1951, he became the first member of Sindhi Adabi Board and remained as such till his last breath, he said.

Writer and former editor of quarterly Mehran Nafees Nashad said that Rashidi had great command over Persian language. His work was recognised by Iran which honoured him with the Medal of Nishan Sipaas Darja-i-Awwal followed by degree of doctorate conferred by Tehran University, he said.

Rashidi remained editor of Mehran in 1957, head of Urdu Development Board in 1962, member of Liaquat National Library in 1958, Academic Council of Karachi University in 1957, senate of Sindh University from 1957-58, and member of the Research Society of Pakistan, Punjab University Lahore in 1963, he said.

Historian Dr Mohammad Ali Manjhi said that to quench his thirst of knowledge Rashidi had visited the United States, Egypt, United Kingdom, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Russia and China where he also read his papers.

He said that scholars, historians, researchers and scientists proved to be original thought-provokers to make this planet a more diverse and multicultural place.

Intellectual Obhayo Khushik said that Thatta which had remained a hub of learning and knowledge in past was fortunate enough to have witnessed great scholars like Rashidi, Dr Annemarie Schimmel, Mir Ali Sher Qane, Abul Hassan Sindhi, Ziauddin Thatvi and Makhdoom Moinuddin who gathered, authored, explored and spread knowledge and made this area of lower Sindh a site of attraction for knowledge seekers.

Senator Sassui Palijo said that professional dedication, advancement of knowledge and research by great people in all areas of learning including health sciences had made it possible for societies to cope with catastrophic conditions like the one the world faced today in the form of Covid-19.

She suggested that Rashidi was a beacon of light for those who were treading the same path the scholar had adopted to serve humanity through knowledge.

The speakers concluded the video session by replicating flowers and ajraks on their screens to digitally express tribute to the scholar.

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2020