KARACHI: Harmony among classes and its role in literature was the subject to be discussed at the annual memorial lecture of the year 2001, in memory of Allama Niaz Fatehpuri.

With Halqau-i-Niaz-o-Nigar as the sponsors and the noted writer Dr Farman Fatehpuri as the moving spirit behind it, the function was attended by city writers and intellectuals, including some guests from Multan.

Sarshar Siddiqui and Umrao Tarique did the comparing.

Among those who read out brief papers included Dr Tahir Taunsavi, Dr Anwaar Ahmad and Dr Rubina Tareen, Dr Mohammad Ali Siddiqui, Dr Manzoor Ahmad and Nazer Siddiqui.

Two Keynote addresses, one by Muslim Shamim and the other by Hasan Abidi, were presented.

At the presidium were seated Dr Zafar Saeed Zaidi, Dr Qasim Peerzada, Dr Manzoor Ahmad and Dr Farman who vacated his seat for Jamiluddin Aali on his arrival.

Muslim Shamim in his paper discussed the person and thought of Niaz Fatehpuri as a secular thinker having an in-depth study of religion and major social sciences. A brave and outspoken man who never compromised on principles, he was also a committed supporter of the Progressive Writers Movement.

Literature, journalism and literary journalism was the topic of the other paper. The writer contended that there was an inherent link between the two genres of expression and both should by their merits enrich each other. While the writer should keep himself/herself abreast of the problems faced by the society, keenly observing the process of social development, a journalist should learn and practice the art of good writing, language being a tool with him/her.

Earlier Dr Tahir in his paper complained that the role a writer was supposed to perform was made impossible by the retrogressive forces in the society; by the Mullah, the oppressive economic system and also the writers who indulged in “group politic”.

Dr Anwaar Ahmad referred to the efforts made by Nazeer Akbarabadi and Mashafi in bringing Urdu closer to common people, but failed in doing so as the forces determined to make Urdu a “sacred language’ (Moqaddas Zaban) were and still are more effective and powerful.

Dr Rubina Tazeen dilated on the humane and cohesive social role of the Sufis in the society, particularly in Multan and surrounding areas.

Dr Zafer Zaidi paid lavish tributes to the memory of Niaz Fatehpuri for his erudition and courage of conviction.

Jamiluddin Aali in his speech suggested that a “thinkers of the future society’ - a free union of writers- should be formed to save the country from further damage.

At the outset, Dr Farman in his inaugural discourse, introduced the guests and welcomed everyone.—HA