THATTA: Glowing tributes were paid to internationally-acclaimed scholar, journalist, biographer and historian Pir Hussam-ud-din Shah Rashidi on his 32nd death anniversary held at his graveside within the boundary of the mausoleum of Makhdoom Muhammad Hashim Thattvi here at Makli on Tuesday.

After commemorating his academic and literary services, wreaths were laid on his grave on behalf of the Sindhi Language Authority, Sindhi Adabi Board, Shaheed Sufi Shah Inayat Adabi Forum, Degree College Thatta and Rashidi Brothers Forum by Dr Muhammad Ali Manjhi.

Wreaths were also laid on the replica of the grave of German orientalist and writer Dr Annemarie Schimmel who wrote extensively on Islam and Sufism.

During her stay in Pakistan, Dr Schimmel in her will had wished to be buried after her death besides the grave of Pir Hussam-ud-din Rashidi at Makli.

But she breathed her last in Germany and was buried there. However, her fans here in Sindh replicated her honorary grave by installing a plaque of her name beside Mr Rashidi’s grave at Makli.

Addressing the participants, Dr Manjhi said Pir Hussam-ud-din Rashidi had authored, edited and translated about 50 books, columns and other literary material related to history, Islam, geography, poetry etc, in Sindhi, Urdu, Persian, English and other languages.

Mr Rashidi had received his primary education from Molvi Muhammad Soomar and Muhammad Ilyas and learnt English from the station master of Nusrat Station. He began journalism at the age of 18 by joining a newspaper ‘Jagan’.

Dr Muhammad Ali said Rashidi had become a crusader to reactivate and promote the literary institutions of Sindh, and Sindhi Adabi Board, Institute of Sindhiology and other such organisations were evident of his efforts, he said.

In 1951, he was the first member of Sindhi Adabi Board and remained intact with it till last.

Mr Manjhi said Rashidi Sahab in pursuance of his thirst and love for literature had visited the US, Egypt, UK, Syria, Libnan, Afghanistan, Russia and China where he had read out his literary papers.

Sindhi writer Nafees Nashad said Pir Sahab had command over Persian language and his work was recognised by the neighboring Iran which had honoured him with the Medal of Nishan Sipaas Darja-e-Awal followed by the degree of doctorate by Tahran University. Rashidi was the editor of quarterly Mehran in 1957 and Urdu Development Board in 1962 and member of Liaquat National Library in 1958, Academic Council Karachi University in 1957, senate of Sindh University from 1957-58, and the member of the Research Society of Pakistan Punjab University Lahore in 1963.

Others who also spoke on the occasion included Khan Muhammad Jarwar, Hafiz Ahmed and Ghulam Hussain Khwaja .

Former minister culture Sassui Palijo also paid tributes to the legendary intellectual and writer of Sindh.

In a press release, she mentioned that the literary world, including Pakistan and Sindh, was proud of the services rendered by Pir Sahab.