KARACHI, May 13 Scholars highlighted on Thursday the exemplary resilience and revolutionary spirit of poet, journalist and politician Maulana Hasrat Mohani at a seminar.

Organised by the Arts Council Karachi on its premises in collaboration with the Hasrat Mohani Memorial Library Trust on his 59th death anniversary, the event was presided over by Karachi University Vice-Chancellor Dr Pirzada Qasim.

Romessa Mohani, a member of Hasrat Mohani's family, was the first speaker. She talked about the need for today's younger generation to learn more about Hasrat and learn how multi-tasking could be effectively undertaken.

President of the Hasrat Mohani Memorial Library Trust Ahmed Abdul Bari spoke on Hasrat's passionate devotion to his faith, and commented that it was his firm belief in his faith that helped him during his tough days in jail while resisting against the British colonial rule.

Researcher Khwaja Razi Haider discussed the spiritual aspect of Hasrat Mohani's life and said that no difficulty during the course of his resistance could make him change his stance on life. He said not much had been written or discussed about Hasrat's religious facet, which had turned him into a resolute character.

He quoted Prof Shariful Mujahid as having said that Hasrat's life in jail could be compared to that of Nelson Mandela's.

Dr Jaffar Ahmed shed light on Hasrat Mohani's achievements in the realm of politics. He said politics was an inalienable part of Hasrat's existence. He highlighted four points vis-à-vis his political journey, (1) complete freedom, because without freedom life was meaningless, (2) never compromised on principles, (3) practical side of politics, and (4) always practised what he professed, leading by example.

Provincial minister for commerce and industry Rauf Siddiqui said if Hasrat Mohani hadn't resisted against the British, Pakistan would never have come into being. He's a role model for today's politicians.

Poet Hasan Akbar Kamal paid tribute to Maulana Hasrat Mohani in verse, which was thoroughly appreciated by the audience.

Writer Anwar Ahmed Zai said during Hasrat's time creative people (Iqbal, Maulana Zafar Ali Khan, Maulana Mohammad Ali Johar, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, etc) were in politics. “These days not many politicians are even aware of the creative lot.”

He said Hasrat had been limited to a certain region; it's time he was treated as a national asset.

Prof Sahar Ansari touched upon the poetic side to Hasrat Mohani and claimed that he revolutionised the genre of ghazal at a time when people had begun doubting its effectiveness.

He said Hasrat changed the concept of mehboob (beloved) in the genre and treated it with respect. Hasrat's ghazals had all the necessary ingredients required for producing high-quality poetry, he said.

Minister Shoaib Bukhari read out a message from MQM chief Altaf Husain. In his message Mr Husain said Maulana Hasrat Mohani was one of those rare individuals who devoted their lives to others. He said the history of the subcontinent's independence would be incomplete without Hasrat Mohani.

Arts Council Secretary Ahmed Shah read out a message from President Asif Ali Zardari. The president said Hasrat Mohani was a great poet, a distinguished scholar, a prolific writer, an accomplished journalist and a great politician. He said his life taught us the value of resilience in adverse times.

Dr Pirzada Qasim was the last speaker of the evening.

He stressed the need for the younger generation to get familiar with Hasrat Mohani.

He said the one field in which the great man's qualities could be seen to have an impact was in the realm of journalism. He said Hasrat was a difficult act to follow because he was a great example even in the relatively less venal society; today it's even more difficult to follow his ideals.