Adil Najam
For at least one more day I want to stick to the unraveling of Pakistan politics that is happening before us.
I have much to say about it. But people have been saying these things already in response to our last many posts on this issue. What can I add. What can I say that will not already be stale by the time you read it. We expect the ongoing conversations (here and here) to continue, but let me find solace in the one place where I always find it. In poetry. Especially in Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s poetry.
Here is Faiz - in his own words, in his own voice. The second half has the same poem masterfully sung by Nayarra Noor. Enjoy this rare find of kalam i Faiz, ba zaban i Faiz. But more than that, think about what he is saying and how it relates to what is happening today.
Since nearly all members of ATP’s core-team are currently traveling we had a bunch of general posts ready for these next few days while we were stuck on long flights. However, it seems somehow inappropriate to use those posts today. We may well begin doing so tomorrow - not just because we will be on unable to post anything fresh from flights but also because we remain committed to celebrating all the diverse trials and tribulations of being Pakistan … the mundane as well as the profound; the sad as well as the gleeful; the immediate as well as the long-term.
Mr.Alvi. I agree with you regarding my mother’s views. Your advice is well taken. Thank you.
Adnan ! Great poem. Well reminded , suitable for current situation.
[my mother said something that I have heard her say a number of times before. She said, “Is this what millions died for? Is this what we left our homes for? We were better off in India.”]
Dear Ms. Shazia Rubab: Your mother’s generation had its own compulsions, expectations and doubts. Tell your mother that you have no other options but to work hard for a better Pakistan. We Pakistanis have come a long way. But we have a way to go yet. Nothing is ever achieved without hard work. Nation building is not an easy task. The better days are ahead of us. Do not give up hope.
“keep hope alive for a better future for Pakistan”.
“Chashm e Num, jaan e shoreeda kafi nahin
Tohmat e Ishq e posheeda kafi nahin
Aaj bazaar mein…..”
“Bol kay lab azad hain teray
Bol zabaan abtak teri hai
Bol kay sach zinda hai abtak
Bol jo kuch kehna hai kahhlay”
Please, Adil Najam, continue to jog the sleeping conscience.
Adil: Its very apprpriate post. Who could have better words than Faiz at this point in time? Its also emotional and has brought tears in my eyes.
Main ye kis ke naam likhoon jo alamm guzar rahay hain
Mere shehar jal rahay hain,mere log marr rahay hain
Koi guncha ho ke gul ho,koi shaakh ho shajar ho
Wo hawaa-e-gulistaan hai ke sabhi bikhar rahay hain
Kabhi rehmatain thi nazil issi khita-e-zamee’n par
Wohi khitta-e-zamee’n hai ke azaab utar rahay hain
Wohi taairo’n ke jhurmut jo hawa main jhooltay thay
Wo fizaa ko dekhtay hain to ab aah bhar rahay hain
Bari aarzoo thi humko naye khaab dekhnay ki
So ab apni zindagi main naye khaab bhar rahay hain
KOI aur to Nahi hai pass-e-khanjar aazmaai
HAMEE QATAL KAR RAHAY HAIN,HAMEE QATAL HORAHAY HAIN!!!!!!
Obaidullah Aleem
Adil Najam,
I’ve been reading your blog for a while and feeling grateful to know that there are other Pakistanis out there who share my sentiments about Pakistan. I couldn’t help but post today just because I want to say thank you so much for digging out treasures and sharing them with us. This is poetry, composition and voice that tugs at my heart and keeps hope alive for a better future for Pakistan. On Saturday, while watching what was happening in Karachi on television, my mother said something that I have heard her say a number of times before. She said, “Is this what millions died for? Is this what we left our homes for? We were better off in India.â€Â? It always hurts me when she says that and I always argue with her because I believe in Pakistan and I believe that a day will come when even people who share views with my mother will be proud of being Pakistanis. I pray that day comes within my generation’s lifetime. Thank you again.
P.S: You might not remember me but I’m from Islamabad too. I was in the junior section at Islamabad College for Boys when you were in the senior section. I used to write for The Muslim too and I have a couple of quotes in your book “You said it.� Its nice to have discovered your blog on the web. Keep up the good work.
Beautiful.
Chalo Phir Say Muskurain?