KHAIRPUR, March 17: The Shaikh Ayaz National Conference was held at the Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU) here on Saturday. Sindh Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Dr Sohrab Sarki and vice-chancellor Prof A. R. Malik inaugurated the conference, organised by the university’s Shaikh Ayaz Chair.

Two books of the renowned poet – Immoral Poetry of Shaikh Ayaz (in English) and Toon Ee Muhinji Shairi (in Sindhi) – and a website of the Shaikh Ayaz Chair were also launched on the occasion.

Speaking at the inaugural season, Dr Sohrab Sarki said Shaikh Ayaz was a great poet and Sindh was fortunate that poets like Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Sachal Sarmast, Bedal Sain and Shaikh Ayaz were born here.

He said Shaikh Ayaz had rendered valuable services for Sindhi language and literature which would be remembered for centuries. He said Shaikh Ayaz was inspired from the personality and poetry of Shah Latif and had translated Shah Jo Risalo in Urdu. He said Shaikh Ayaz was so impressed by Bhittai that he wanted to be buried in Bhitshah.

He said the philosophy and literary message of Shaikh Ayaz would remain alive. He said the launching of the Shaikh Ayaz Chair website would enable the young generation to get information about the poet.

Prof Malik said he had worked as a teacher at the University of Sindh when Shaikh Ayaz was the vice-chancellor. He said the poetry of Shaikh Ayaz when sung by the late Zarina Baloch, Bedal Masroor and others really touched the hearts of people. He said Shaikh Ayaz had promoted brotherhood, patriotism and humanity in his poetry.

He said the university was trying to upgrade the Shaikh Ayaz Chair, established in 1998, to an institute to facilitate scholars conducting research on the works and life of Shaikh Ayaz.

Prof (Dr) Adal Soomro, in-charge of the Shaikh Ayaz Chair, said the poetry of Shaikh Ayaz was a great asset, adding: “It’s our duty to preserve and spread it.”

Earlier, Dr Sohrab Sarki, Prof Malik, Mazhar Jamil and Adal Soomro awarded Shaikh Ayaz shields to poets, writers and researchers who had conducted research and written books on the poetry and personality of Shaikh Ayaz.

Those who were awarded shields included Agha Saleem, Khuwaja Saleem, Dr Hidayat, Dr Abdul Jabbar Junejo, Dr Anwar Figar Hakro, Dr Malik Nadeem, Taj Joyo, Latif Noonari, Kiran Sindh, Dr Khursheed Abbasi, Hameeda Qazi, Zainab Abro, Najma Bibi, Haroon Channa, Qazi Manzar Hayat, Mazhar Jamil and Shaikh Ayaz’s daughter Dr Veengas Ayaz.