LAHORE: The Persian language is not only a shared heritage of the people of Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asian states as well as the Indian Subcontinent, but it can also bring millions of people in these states closer by promoting the teachings of great Persian-language philosophers and thinkers like Maulana Rumi, Shaikh Saadi, Hafiz Sherazi, Allama Iqbal, Jamaluddin Afghani and several others.

These views were expressed by the poets, writers, painters, professors of social sciences and medical experts at the launch ceremony of a thematic calendar, based on poetry and work of Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi at a local hotel on Thursday.

The thematic calendar has been prepared by Jahan-i-Masiha Adbi Forum, a literary organisation working for the promotion of art, literature and history among doctors and physicians throughout the country.

Speakers agreed that Persian was the language of many great thinkers and philosophers like Maulana Rumi who influenced millions in both the East and the West. In order to better comprehend their thoughts and philosophy, understanding of Persian language or the translation of their work into Urdu was highly important which could help bring millions of people of South Asia and Central Asia together, they added.

Eminent Iranian scholar Dr. Wafa Yazdan Mansh said the teachings and message of Maulana Rumi, Shaikh Saadi, Hafiz Sherazi and even most of the work of Allama Iqbal were in Persian and added that it could not be understood without knowing Persian or its Urdu translation.

“As most people don’t know Persian, they try to do translations of the work but it does not convey the original and complete message,” he said.

She maintained that Pakistanis could easily learn Persian language within eight months and added that new technology, especially apps, could help them understand and learn the language.

Dr Yazdan also highlighted the importance of letters of Maulana Rumi, and added that Maulana Rumi emphasized on upholding family values, rights of women and children, dignity of work, and most importantly, human relations irrespective of religion or race and lauded the Jahan-i-Masiha for the launch of the calendar based on Maulana’s philosophy.

Journalist and intellectual Sajjad Mir called for promoting thoughts and philosophy of great Islamic thinkers, adding the Persian language had a cherished treasure of literature produced by eminent Muslim scholars.

Regrettably, since our youth does not know the language, they are unaware of the invaluable experience which classical Persian prose and poetry provide to readers. Also, the translated work of Persian literature, mostly into English, can only convey ideas, he added.

Syed Jamshaid Ahmed, one of the office-bearers of the forum, said they had been preparing thematic calendars for the last 19 years on different topics and this year they selected the key messages from the Masnavi of Maulana Rumi. “Rumi’s endless wisdom is a source of inspiration for both the East and the West.”

Khawaja Razi Haider, the chief patron of the forum, and other panelists, including Haroon Qasim, Prof Dr Arshad Chohan, Dr Zaheer Akhtar, Prof Taj Jamshaid and Dr Bilal Zakariya, also spoke.

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2019