PESHAWAR: The Iranian Cultural Centre here has published a book for the Persian language learners.

An eminent writer Syed Ghayoor Hussain has authored the book. He teaches Persian at the centre and also at some universities.

He has to his credit books, including “Farsi Ikhtiari”, “Yusra Nama” and “Farsi Zaban ka Pakistani ki Qoumi Aur Ilaqai Zabano Par Asar”.

Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University’s Department for Urdu Studies chairperson, Prof Basmina Siraj, has written the foreword of the book. She has praised the author for his Persian language works and preparing the Persian course of study for the women’s university.

In introduction to his book, Mr Hussain has opined that Persian learning is needed for fully understanding Urdu literature, especially poetry. He praised SBBWU VC Prof Razia Sultana and Prof Basmina Siraj for taking the initiative of launching Persian classes for the students of Urdu literature.

Title of the book has been taken from the couplet of Persian classical poet Hafiz-i-Shirazi. The first part of the book has poetry of Hafiz-i-Shirazi, Sheikh Saadi and Allama Iqbal. One part of the book has Persian grammar, and words common in Persian and Urdu with both same and different meanings. Persian expressions with Urdu translation have also been given.

The last part of the book has Persian idioms with Urdu translation.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2016