“Khud ko taqseem na karna meray pyaray logo”, an event organized on 9 June 2012 by the Citizens for Democracy (CFD) to promote interfaith and inter-communal harmony pulled no punches. The almost packed-to-capacity Pakistan Arts Council open-air theatre in Karachi resounded with the sights and sounds of people expressing, each in their own distinctive way, their resistance to the evil, self-serving forces seeking to divide our society.

Arshad Mahmud’s backstage recital of the haunting poem Sochne Do opened the evening on a reflective note. Soon after, a stirring recital of Faraz’s Khud ko taqseem na karna meray pyaray logo by Momin Khan Momin set the tone for the segments that followed. In fact, the entire evening was studded with inspirational, sometimes defiant, poetic gems; lines penned by Faiz, Faraz, Zohra Nigah and others, were either recited or set to enthralling dances. Among those who recited poems were Sania Saeed, Shakil Jafri and Ahfazur Rehman. The latter recited some of his own poetry.

One of the highlights of the evening was a conversation via video-conference with Asma Jehangir which was moderated by Fahim Zaman. In her forced confinement to her home, Ms Jahangir has become today, as perhaps never before, a symbol of resistance against all that is rotten in the state of Pakistan. True to form, she did not mince her words. She excoriated the Pakistani military for ruling Pakistan as its own personal fiefdom and in the process destroying its civil institutions. She did not spare the politicians either.

Describing the incumbent government as incompetent, she said it functioned as though it was “in iddat”, a reference to the manner in which Benazir’s Bhutto’s death is repeatedly used by the PPP to gain emotional mileage.

“The one and only solution to this state of affairs,” Ms Jahangir reiterated time and again, “is to persevere with democracy, however flawed it may be at this stage.”

The event also sought to involve young people, those who will be the leaders of tomorrow. A group of Napa students led by Nadir Abbas performed Hum dekhein gay, Faiz’s ever-popular anthem to resistance, which elicited much enthusiasm from the audience.

“Hum Rokein Gay”, a powerful, no-holds-barred play about the persecution of minorities and Muslims alike under the blasphemy law was performed by Sheema Kermani and Tehrik-i-Niswan. The group enacted unforgettable scenes on stage, depicting members of the Hindu, Christian and Ahmadi being victimised on the pretext of religion in order to enable their tormentors to get away with a variety of transgressions against them, such as sexual harassment, denial of their dues, and refusal to repay loans taken from them. Ultimately the perpetrators even get away with murder because they are seen as “defenders” of the faith.

A sequence of evocative dances set to poems such as Intesaab and Yeh kaun sakhi haen followed, after which a stunning finale with the traditional leva and fire dance brought the evening to a flamboyant close.

Given that the event began at least an hour late and continued until 11.30 yet still managed to retain most of the audience until the end was testament to its success.

Well-known human rights activist Amar Sindhu, who also participated in the discussion with Asma Jehangir, later described the event as “extremely moving and inspiring.” She said that civil society must no longer stay silent.

“We have to reclaim the public space that has been usurped by the right-wing. And culture and art is the only viable front where we can defeat religious and political fascism.”

According to Professor Dr Tauseef Ahmed Khan, Head of Mass Communications Department, Federal University who was among the audience, “In today’s Pakistan, any gathering of people that comes together to speak about democracy with a progressive mindset offers a ray of hope. The mix of politics, culture and music such as at this event attracts people and is a good vehicle for CFD’s message.”

The message has gone out loud and clear and there’s no turning back. To go quietly into the night is not even an option.

The writer is a journalist and member of Citizens for Democracy