Distinguished poets, writers, intellectuals, and journalists from the United States and Canada attend a cultural celebration featuring discussions on Faiz’s poetry, progressive thought, human rights, music, and visual arts.
By Asim Siddiqui
Washington, D.C.
VIRGINIA, USA The Faiz Cultural Foundation USA was officially inaugurated in Virginia with a commitment to promoting Urdu literature, progressive thought, and the enduring literary and intellectual legacy of internationally acclaimed revolutionary poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz among younger generations in the United States.
The inaugural ceremony, held at the Cultural Arts Center in Virginia, brought together prominent poets, writers, intellectuals, journalists, and literary enthusiasts from across the United States and Canada. The gathering featured discussions on Faiz’s poetry, the progressive literary movement, human rights, social justice, and the continuing relevance of his ideas in contemporary society.
Dr. Rizwan Ali, founder and president of the Faiz Cultural Foundation USA, outlined the organization’s mission and objectives during the opening session. He emphasized the foundation’s commitment to promoting Urdu literature, encouraging cultural activities, and preserving Faiz’s intellectual and literary contributions for future generations.
Renowned poet, author, and literary scholar Ashfaq Hussain delivered the keynote address, offering an insightful examination of Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s life, poetry, political awareness, and social consciousness. He highlighted Faiz’s extraordinary contributions to Urdu literature and the lasting influence of his literary and intellectual work.
Mehboob Zafar, the chief guest, paid tribute to Faiz’s literary achievements, emphasizing the depth of his poetry, the universality of his message, and his enduring place in the literary world.
A special literary discussion, jointly moderated by Dr. Rizwan Ali and Shahram Azhar, was chaired by Ashfaq Hussain. Distinguished participants included Tanveer Imam, Ghazala Qazi, Sarwat Zahra, Beena Goindi, Yousuf Rahat, Faiz Rehman, and veteran journalist Anwar Iqbal.
The speakers explored various dimensions of Faiz’s poetry, his association with the progressive literary movement, his advocacy for human rights and social equality, and the importance of preserving and promoting Urdu language and literature among South Asian communities living abroad.
One of the highlights of the evening was a musical tribute to Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Shahram Azhar, Hira Tajwar, Khalid Dar, and Swati Kanitkar performed selected works of Faiz, bringing his celebrated poetry to life through music. Their performances received warm appreciation from the audience.
The event also featured a special art exhibition showcasing works by internationally acclaimed artist Sadequain, inspired by the poetry of Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Mirza Ghalib. The artworks were presented through Riaz Niazi, adding a distinctive visual dimension to the celebration and highlighting the powerful relationship between poetry and fine arts.
In the concluding session, Sohail Gilani expressed gratitude to the distinguished guests, participants, performers, and organizers. He emphasized the importance of preserving Urdu language, literary traditions, and cultural heritage among overseas communities, particularly for younger generations growing up outside South Asia.
Throughout the event, speakers described Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s poetry as a universal expression of love, peace, tolerance, human dignity, justice, and equality. They expressed hope that the newly established Faiz Cultural Foundation USA would serve as an important cultural and intellectual platform, connecting future generations with the rich traditions of Urdu literature and the progressive vision of Faiz.
The inauguration marked the beginning of a new initiative dedicated to celebrating Faiz’s remarkable literary contributions while strengthening cultural and intellectual connections among Urdu-speaking communities in North America.
