ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Faiz Ahmed Faiz will always remain relevant to the oppressed segment of society with his vision championing the cause of deprived ones.
In a message on the centenary celebrations of renowned poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, the President said, "Faiz was not an ordinary poet. His poems, diction and metaphor stir the human spirit to lofty goals. He gives hope as well as courage to the people to stand and fight for their rights no matter what the odds."
President Zardari said Faiz was not just a poet but also a first rate journalist, an accomplished editor, a fearless trade unionist, an original thinker and above all, a kind teacher.
He gave people message of dignity, equality and hope, he added.
The President said Faiz and Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto shared the same goal although they chose different paths to achieve it.
He mentioned several important national institutions including the Academy of Letters, National Book Foundation, Pakistan National Council of Arts and National Film Development Corporation (NAFDEC) that were established during the tenure of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in result of his interaction with Faiz.
These national institutions have done a great deal for the promotion of culture, arts and intellectual pursuits and stand as a monument to both Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Faiz Ahmed Faiz, he said.
The President said, "Taking forwarded same tradition, we have established the Faiz Chair at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and also the Faiz Library is being established which will act as Center for promotion of culture, learning and intellectual pursuits."
He felicitated Chairman Faiz Centennial Celebration Committee I. A. Rehman and the organizers for holding special events to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of prolific poet, erudite scholar and a great visionary Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
He said to pay respects, to Faiz scores of functions and special events were organized both within the country and abroad during the year 2011 which was declared by the government as the centenary year of Faiz.
"I am happy to say that one such event was also organized purposefully at the Presidency. It aimed to acknowledge Faiz's triumph over forces of dictatorship which had brutalized and even banished him from the land," he said.
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