Rasheed Ahmed
Brussels [Parliament Times): The launching ceremony of the book titled “Conversations with my father – Forty Years on a Daughter Responds” by Moneeza Hashmi, the daughter of renowned Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, was held in Brussels last evening. The ceremony was organized by the Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels in collaboration with the European Literary Circle as part of activities to mark the 75th Diamond Jubilee of Pakistan’s independence.
The book is based on the letters received by the author Moneeza Hashmi from her father Faiz Ahmed Faiz over the years and her response to them after 4 decades. The event started with an introduction of Mr. Faiz Ahmad Faiz. The speakers highlighted different aspects of the legendary poet’s life during the ceremony. Dr. Ali Sherazi, Socio Religious Expert, and Mr. Gio Goris, an Expert in South Asia and former editor of MO Magazine presented the book reviews. Speaking on the occasion, the Ambassador of Pakistan to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union, Dr. Asad Majeed Khan underscored that the work and poetry Faiz significantly influenced the literary outlook of Urdu and Punjabi literature. He emphasized that Faiz Ahmed Faiz was one of the greatest poets of the Urdu language with a unique literary focus on fundamental freedoms, democracy, labor rights, as well as political and social equality.
Offering insights into the publication, the Ambassador highlighted that the biographical work by the author Moneeza Hashmi not only beautifully illustrates the relations between a daughter and her father but also provides the reader with a unique glimpse inoo the life of Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
In her remarks the author Mrs. Hashmi lamented that during the lifetime of her father, she never had an opportunity to spend time with him. She said that now in her senior years, she has so much to share about her life and achievements with her father, which she is doing through this book. During the ceremony the Ambassador Khan along with the author, Moneeza Hashmi and Mr. Imran Saqib representing the European Literary Circle jointly launched the book.
A large number of Belgians as well as the Pakistani diaspora including diplomatic corps, academia, students, business, social services, and media attended the event.