PESHAWAR: Speakers at a ceremony termed translation of Nahjul Balagha in Hindko a great treasure trove for the community and showered accolades of appreciation on senior trilingual writer Qudsia Qudsee for the commendable job.

Ms Qudsia, a Malaysia-based writer from Peshawar, has several books in Hindko, Urdu and Persian to her credit. She has recently brought out her 328-page Hindko translation, which took her four months to complete.

The Hindko version of the celebrated book by Hazrat Ali titled Nahjul Balagha was formally launched here under auspices of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Hindkowan (PTH) at Imam Khomeini Hall of the culture centre of Islamic Republic of Iran. The translation of Nahjul Balagha in Hindko is a collection of sermons, letters and sayings of the fourth caliph Hazrat Ali.

Poets, writers and scholars attended the event in a large number. Speakers shed light on various aspects of the book widely read and used as an authentic reference treatise world over. It has already been translated in different major languages.

Nahjul Balagha has already been rendered in major languages of world

Dr Hussain Chaqumi, the director general of Khana-i-Farhang Iran, chaired the event. He said that translation of Nahjul Balagha in Hindko was befitting and would serve as a valuable treasure trove in literature. “It is indeed a highly commendable job as the writer has done justice to the original work,” he added.

Khwaja Mohammad Akbar Sethi, provincial chief of PTH, said that the Hindko translation of the book was candid and eloquent. He added that the translator deserved appreciation.

“Qudsia Qudsee deserves appreciation for her huge contribution to Hindko and Hindko speaking community. The book would encourage other writers to translate world sublime literary pieces in Hindko,” he said.

Wasim Shahid, executive member Gandhara Hindko Board, said the embellished translation enriched Hindko while Prof Nasir Ali Syed too appreciated the efforts by the senior writer.

The translator was given away a shield of commendation by PTH and a cake cutting ceremony was performed.

Mohammad Waqar Lodhi, Ahmad Nadeem Awan and Dr Khadim Ibrahim also spoke at the event.

Meanwhile, the weekly literary session of Halqa-i-Arbab Zauq was arranged wherein Prof Fazal Kabir and Masoor Hussain were elected unanimously its secretary and joint secretary.

Mr Kabir announced names of the executive members including Mushtaq Ahmad Shabab, Prof Nasir Ali Syed, Iqbal Sikandar, Prof Suhail Ahmad, Prof Syed Zubair Shah, Prof Owais Qarni and Engineer Atiqur Rahman. Irfan Khan and Mohammad Tariq Khattak would serve as media coordinators of the literary association.

Members of Halqa pledged that efforts would be made to continue their literary activities in the city through engaging budding literati. The meeting was followed by an Urdu poetry recitation session in which the participants read out their eloquent poetic pieces.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2024