SYMPOSIUM: Bazm-e-Sarfraz 2012 Faiz Ahmed Faiz: Progressive Thinkers in Pakistan

The Symposium organised by the Centre for Muslim States and Societies, commemorates the contribution and services made by Begum Sarfraz Iqbal(1939-2003) to Urdu literature. Faiz Ahmed Faiz (1911-1984) was one of the leading poets of Pakistan. Listed four times for the Nobel Prize, he is also remembered as an activist for human rights and liberties, a famous journalist, an editor of literary magazines, trade unionist, and a film song writer. He was a close friend and confidant of Begum Sarfraz Iqbal whose book Daman-e-Yusuf celebrates the friendship. Pakistan Government declared 2011 a Centennial for Faiz Ahmed Faiz for the contribution his poetry and ideas have made to progressive thinking in Pakistan. Bazm-e-Sarfraz 2012, held annually to commemorate the contribution and services to Urdu literature by Begum Sarfraz Iqbal (1939-2003) is dedicated to exploring Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s ideas. Moneeza Hashmi, Faiz’s daughter, a TV Producer/Director and the soul behind Faiz Foundation Trust set up for the promotion of Faiz progressive and humanistic ideas will give the keynote address.