Sindh literature festival delegates feted by SMIU
KARACHI - The Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU) feted the delegates of the Sindh Literature Festival, at its campus here on Saturday night.
The three-day festival was organised in the metropolis, an official of the institution said on Sunday.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Hamida Khuhro, a veteran historian of Sindh, hailed the holding of the festival.
She remarked that it was a good sign that a huge literary program was organised in Karachi by some young people.
Dr Khuhro was of the view that such tradition be continued in future as well. In her remarks at the reception, she said that Sindhi is an ancient and rich language, in which rich literature is produced.
“But we, people of Sindh, ourselves have neglected it,” Dr Khuhro remarked.
She said that it was a good sign that a huge literary programme was organised in Karachi by some young people. Hence such tradition must be continued in the future also.
“Likewise, the Sindh Literature Festival, Children’s Literature Festival should also be organised in various cites of Sindh,” she suggested.
Saeed Ghani, Adviser to the Chief Minister Sindh, said that it was a good initiative to organise Sindh Literature Festival in Karachi that will play an important role in promotion of Sindhi language and literature.
He said that there are a large number of best Sindhi writers, who are producing good literature, hence they must be honoured.
The Director of Russian Consulate Karachi said that the programs like Sindh Literature Festival are contributing a lot in promotion and development of national languages like Sindhi language.
He said that Russia also gives preference to its national and regional languages. He suggested that there should be collaboration between the universities of Pakistan and Russia.
Dr Suleman Shaikh, Secretary of SZABIST, in his speech said that Sindh Madressatul Islam University is not merely a university, but it is a movement, which started 131 years ago by its founder Hassanally Effendi, and now Dr Muhammad Ali Shaikh running it successfully.
He said that Sindhi language has centuries-old roots in Sindh and despite facing difficult days on various times, it has survived. Therefore, Sindhi language has no threat in future too.
Earlier, Dr Muhammad Ali Shaikh, Vice Chancellor of Sindh Madressatul Islam University, in welcome address, pointed out that Sindh Madressah played a pivotal role in creation of Pakistan.
Talking on the Sindh Literature Festival, he said that it was a most healthy activity that will inspire, especially the youth who will design their new approach about Sindhi literature, culture, history and education.
Ali Akash and Naseer Gopang, organisers of SLF, also spoke on the occasion. The reception was attended by diplomats of various countries, writers, intellectuals, academia, jurists and representatives of civil society including Justice (Retd) Hamid Ali Mirza, Abdul Qadir Mangi, former Secretary Sindh Culture Department, Dr Arfana Mallah, Amar Sindhu, Dr Ali Rind, Dr Ayoob Shaikh, Dr Qasim Rajper, Rakhial Morai, Asghar Soomro, deans, faculty and staff members of SMIU and other guests.