Literature and ideology
ABID Hasan Minto was the guest speaker at the Gymkhana 'Mukalma' last Thursday. 'Adab aur nazria (literature and ideology)' was the subject Minto was asked to speak on.
A prominent lawyer, a literary critic and a progressive, he presented his views drawing on references from his book Nuqta-i-Nazar (point of view). The book first published in 1986 carries essays he wrote when he was a second- year student. The articles covered the period from the 60s till 1970.
Then came the Zia era, the fall of the Soviet Union and the disintegration of the East European Socialist countries. Minto, who has been defending Marxism against its detractors, referred to the view much in currency that Marxism had failed and pointed out how the rightists said that Marxism's collapse was inevitable.
Minto's reply to this in an emphatic no. The rising tide of globalization had awakened Third World countries to the looming dangers of international capitalism, which could be fought back only through the Marxist ideology, he said. Ideology was needed to defend freedom and to change the present imbalance.
Minto lamented that there was not a single real politician in our political parties. They had no experience or even a liking for change. The common people should, therefore, generate a movement by joining hands on one platform, he concluded.
Supporting the views expressed by Abid Hassan Minto, Dr Mohammad Ali Siddiqui observed that some form of ideology had always been at work in human society. Philosophers, writers and poets in all ages had dreamt of a better life.
Dr Siddiqui was saddened to see that the Muslim world was lacking in education, particularly in scientific knowledge, and was mired in poverty. He said that to the global powers, the entire world was just a 'market' and the average citizen a tool to run that market.
Our education system was being modelled to meet the demands of the capitalists: there was only IT and business administration, without any concern for languages, literature and the humanities. This trend had to be checked and a resistance movement launched, Dr Siddiqui said.
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Faza Aazmi is a poet known for his long poems - Azaab-i- Hamsaegi, Kursinama Pakistan and others, based on socio-political themes. His latest long poem, Awaaz-i-Shikastagi, spread over more than 200 pages, was launched on Saturday at the office of Tulu-i-Afkar, hosted by Hussain Anjum, editor of the journal.
'Sada aati hae tehzeebon ke maskan sey' is the sub- title of the poem - the rise and fall of cultures during 5,000 years of human history being the theme of the poem.
Papers were read and speeches delivered on the contents of the book and also its poetic qualities. Presided over by Dr Waqar Ahmed Rizvi, a professor of literature, papers were read out at the gathering by Shafiq Ahmad Shafiq, Prof Najmul Huda and Dr Sardar Zaidi.
The clash of civilizations is a popular subject among writers. Mr Faza Aazmi contends that the arrogance rooted in the minds of western powers is mainly because of their economic superiority and political authority. The confict dates back to the days of the Crusades.
The poet recalls that cultures which lost their vitality ultimately perished. Another cause would be their insolence, unjust and brutish ways, which brought them to fall.
As for the Muslims, he advised them not to indulge in wailing and breast beating but look into their own weaknesses and try to remove them. Prof Rizvi in his paper was even more optimistic when he saw the rise of Muslim nations, ignoring their present mental and physical lethargy.
Shafiq Ahmad Shafiq and Prof Najmul Huda dilated on the lyrical qualities of the poem, the choice of idioms and limpid flow in the lines. The poem composed in free verse was to some, a masnavi, because of the continuity in the theme but some others differed from this view.
It is highly readable and also timely, looking at the tormented and terrorized world we live in, most participants agreed. Ishrat Romani presented a brief account of an earlier meeting held at the office to discuss the merits of Azaab-i-Hamsaigi, Azmi's previous book.
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Eminent scholar, researcher and an authority on Islamic laws, the late Dr Hameedullah, was remembered on his second anniversary last Friday. A seminar under the aegis of the Dr Hamidullah Research Foundation was co-hosted by the Sir Syed University.
With Z.A. Nizami, chancellor of the university in the chair, the speakers included Dr Manzuruddin, former vice-chancellor, Karachi University, Dr Affan Saljuq, Prof Mahmood Hussain and Prof Khawaja Qutubuddin.
The seminar concluded with a resolution that M.Phil and PhD students should be enrolled in the university to do undertake research on the life and enormous academic works of Dr Hameedullah.
Ms Saleha Kausar and Ms Sirajul Munir Tasleem recited verses in praise of the late scholar. Ms Aniqa, a student at the university, did the compering. Earlier, Dr Yunus welcomed the guests and Prof Mahmood Hussain Siddiqui recalled the life and work of Dr Hameedullah.