Lahore to host Faiz International Festival from Nov 18 to 20

Two books ‘Beyond the Other’ and ‘Leading Lights’ by Haroon Khalid launched

Moneeza Hashmi, director of the Lahore-based Faiz Foundation Trust and daughter of the late internationally renowned revolutionary poet and humanist, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, announced the holding of the Faiz International Festival from November 18 to 20.

She made the announcement at the launch ceremony of two books, “Beyond the Other” and “Leading Lights”, by Haroon Khalid pivoting around the theme of religious bigotry and intolerance in society. 

Hashmi also announced the inception of the Project Freedom of Religious Belief.

“Leading Lights” highlights the role of the religious minorities in bringing fame and respect to the country and in this connection mentions a number of names from among the religious minorities in the country. 

The videos featured, among others, Sobho Gianchandani from the Hindu community, a social activist and leftist leader; Byram Avari and his wife Goshpi from the Zorastrian community; Justice Dorab Patel from the Zorastrian community, who refused to take oath under President Ziaul Haq’s Provisional Constitutional Order; Sir Chaudhry Muhammad Zafarullah, a member of the Quaid-e-Azam’s cabinet, and Qalandar Mohmand from Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa,  both from the Ahmedia community; Samuel Burke, ambassador; and Indu Mitha, internationally renowned classical dancer from the Christian community.

Hashmi said one of the reasons for choosing Lahore as the site of the festival was because amid today’s circumstances where religious dissension and intolerance had taken hold of the city, it was imperative to hold the festival there to highlight the worth of tolerance.

She screened another video about the Faiz Ghar where the activities of the Faiz Foundation Trust are directed. Hashmi said that it was the centre of promotion of art, music and culture.

Noted columnist Ghazi Salahuddin said, “Society is made only when people of various schools of thought and religion live together in harmony, absolutely tolerant of each other’s viewpoint.” 

He went on to say, “The extremism we find in society today is because of the icon of national interest created by various governments. Survival of liberal elements signals the survival of Pakistan.”

He called for responding to the message of Faiz, saying that it was imperative to go to the young people as the campuses were the most important centres of change.

In this context, Moneeza Hashmi said that the two books were being sent to all college and university libraries as well as to schools because it was at the school stage that children should be made conscious of things around them and they must learn to realise the damage bigotry and divisive tendencies could do.  She said that the theme for this year was “Azad hain apne fikr-o-amal”.