Adil Najam
[UPDATE: Sadly, Ahmed Faraz died in Islamabad ]on August 25, 2008. Details here.]
Despite an erroneous news earlier that renowned poet Ahmed Faraz had died in a Chicago hospital, the news right now is that Ahmed Faraz is still alive, but not at all well, struggling for his life in a Chicago hospital.
Here is the latest from The News:
CHICAGO: Renowned poet Ahmed Faraz is alive and still under medical treatment at a local hospital here, said his physician Tahir Rohail, brushing aside the earlier report of his death aired by state TV. He said Ahmed Faraz is seriously ill at a hospital in Chicago where necessary medical treatment is being provided to him.
Others are still reporting his death, seemingly based on a TV channel news item. It seems - we hope - that the TV channel jumped the gun on this and Faraz Sahib is still alive.
We have, of course, written multiple times on the legendary poet - including here, here and most recently here. I shake as I type this and I pray that we will NOT be writing about his demise anytime soon. For me Faraz has always been a fighter, and we are rooting for him in this fight too. Here is some of Fawaz the fighter:
We certainly pray that he is and that he will remain alive and kicking for a long time. But (earlier) reports, from people close to him, seem to suggest that his condition is very critical and it has been and remains a touch and go situation. He needs our prayers.
we pray for one personality FARAZ…but why dont we pray for those who are invisible…
MAY ALLAH BLESS US ALL WITH HIS LOVE(AMEN).
he 2ruly said>>>
mohabat kar sakte ho tu rab say kro faraz
matti kay khilono say kabhi wafa nhi milti!!!
i hav mch of his colection he iz awsome 2ru prsn luvly man!!!!!!!!!!!!
i m da bgst fan of ahmad faraz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! he iz a suprb man nowadyz his poetry iz being famed through mobylz. I realy like him, his way of sayng iz awsom>>>> “I PRAY 4 HIM MAY ALLAH BLESS HIM VID GUD HEALTH, AMEEN”.
I ever,never forget the kindness of Mr.Ahmad Faraz during my past association with him .I pray for his recovery .Inshallah he will be among us very soon.
I hear from a friend in Chicago that Faraz Sahib is doing better now. Can someone please confirm.
Also, I think what AHsn has written is true and it is really sad that we have not heard a word from anyone in government or the embassy about assisting this national treasure.
One of the editorials of today’s (July 23) Dawn (Karachi) is:
Faraz deserves more
UNLIKE many essentials, apathy is not in short supply. One sad example is our legendary poet, Ahmad Faraz, who has been fighting for his life in a Chicago hospital for over a fortnight. So far, neither has there been any government concern nor has the Pakistan embassy initiated contact with his family or his medical team. The son of a scholar, Ahmad Faraz made his foray into the literary circles as a lyricist and went on to become an icon of verse who dealt with both love and ideology with the same inimitable passion. His work speaks of injustice, rage and heartache and is as personal as it is political. He also founded the National Academy of Letters and was at the helm of the National Book Foundation. Decorated with numerous national and international awards, including the Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 1994, Faraz has endured countless tyrannical efforts to silence him. He was exiled from Sindh for writing against Bhutto’s execution, was sent to Mansar Camp and went into self-exile to London in 1982.
Faraz left for Washington late last month to attend the annual convention of Pakistani physicians in North America, where he enthralled many with his poetry. However, things took a turn for the worse after his fall at the Canadian embassy in which he injured his forehead, knees and shoulders. Today, he is in intensive care with malfunctioning kidneys, high blood pressure and acute chronic ailments. So far, Faraz has perhaps ‘survived’ on the goodwill of his admirers. As a national hero battles to stay alive, the government and embassy personnel continue to do what they do best — look the other way. According to reports, the poet does not have health coverage and his medical bills are expected to run into thousands of dollars. In the past, we have let many heroes fall by the wayside. It is time to see Ahmad Faraz’s frail condition as a test of our national conscience.
Is an update available on Faraz sahib’s health.
I hope he is doing better now!
Faraz can write a thousand times better than I can but here is my ghazal dedicated to the erroneous and greatly exaggerated news of his “demise” . May he recover soon:
ABHI TO ZINDA HEIN
by
Saleem Seyal
( Ahmad Faraz being in a Chicago Hospital July 20, 2008 )
Hawao jhoom ke aao, abhi to zinda hein
Ghatao khoob se cchao, abhi to zinda hein
tumhare saanvle mukhre ko dil tarasta hey
naqab rukh se hatao, abhi to zinda hein
udas haal hey, lumbi hey shaam-e-gham itni
haseen rubab bajao, abhi to zinda hein
woh aana aapka ghar mein, aur aa ke mur jaana
hamara dil na dukhao, abhi to zinda hein
yeh kya saleeqa hey kafn-o-dafan ki baaton ka
koi hakeem bulao, abhi to zinda hein
( dedicated to Faraz )
hamari maut ki khabron pe mat yaqeen kijay
zara si dhoom machao, abhi to zinda hein
Mein jaanta hoon musir ho, magar khuda ke liye
tum aaj raat na jao, abhi to zinda hein
namaz parh ke abhi aa rahein hein masjid se
zara sharab pilao, abhi to zinda hein
agarche shaam-e-sihai se dar naheen lagta
Saleem, shaman jalao, abhi to zinda hein