‘Persian is our ancestral treasure; it’s time we pass it on to our successors’

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Persian language possesses a cherished treasure of literature produced by eminent Muslim scholars, such as Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi, Sheikh Saadi Shirazi and Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Regrettably, since our youths do not know the language, they are unaware of the invaluable experience which classical Persian prose and poetry provide to readers. Also, the translated work of Persian literature, mostly into English, can only convey ideas but it lacks the ability to absorb and, subsequently, transfer the feel and essence of the originally produced literature.These views were expressed by speakers at a ceremony organised at a hotel on Monday. The speakers included poets, painters, doctors and teachers who unanimously called for making serious efforts to promote education of Persian in a bid to reintroduce the works of great Muslim scholars and poets, the likes of Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi, who are adored by both the East and the West.“The revival of Persian language is the need of the hour as it contains a great deal of Islamic philosophy, theology, poetry, and arts and culture,” said Dr Sadia Rashid, Chancellor of the Hamdard University, while speaking at the ceremony.Prior to the British colonisation, Dr Rashid reminisced, the rich Persian language was an official language of the Indian subcontinent.“We need to teach Persian to our children so they could understand the messages of Maulana Rumi, Sheikh Saadi and the Persian poetry of Allama Iqbal,” she stressed.The chancellor, however, deplored that even learned and qualified people in Pakistan and India could only have a limited understanding of Rumi’s poetry due to relying on its translated version. She urged the relevant authorities and the intelligentsia to work together to teach Persian at educational institutes.Since Allama Iqbal was inspired by the ideas of Maulana Rumi, she said, the former became an epitome of love, and consequently his poetry conveyed the message of universal love and renaissance of Islamic society. This could never have happened had Allama Iqbal been unaware of the message of Maulana Rumi, Dr Rashid said. Similarly, one cannot comprehend the true message Sufism without understanding the poetry of Maulana Rumi, she added.Speaking on the occasion, Dr Khalid Iraqi, the vice chancellor of the University of Karachi, praised the Jahan-e-Maseeha Adbi Forum for preparing a calendar based on the poetry of Maulana Rumi with Urdu and English translations. He, however, said no writer or poet could be completely understood without reading their works in the original language.There is a dire need to introduce youths to Maulana Rumi who is well understood and discussed in the West for the last many centuries, he added.Dr Iraqi said Maulana Rumi did not only preach love for the Creator but also conveyed the message that human beings were capable of doing wonders. He said Maulana Rumi’s Masnavi, an extensive poem, should be taught at educational institutes to convey his message of peace, love and brotherhood.Syed Jamshaid Ahmed, one of the office-bearers of the Jahan-e-Maseeha Adbi Forum, said they were preparing thematic calendars for the last 19 years on different topics and this year they selected the key messages from the Masnavi of Maulana Rumi. “Rumi’s endless wisdom is a source of inspiration for both the East and the West.”He maintained that Maulana Rumi urged the people not to give up at any stage of life and continue the struggle for achievement of their goals. One of the Rumi’s prominent messages is that a human being is not an insignificant creature and that every person has a unique importance in this universe, he added. “Maulana Rumi also advised people to be happy and content in both good and bad days.”Khawaja Razi Haider, the chief patron of the Jahan-e-Maseeha Adbi Forum, and other panellists, including Haroon Qasim, Dr Faiza Zehra Mirza, Dr Intikhab Taufiq, Nadeem Rehmat, Prof Dr Raza-ur-Rehman, also spoke on the occasion.

from The News International - Karachi https://ift.tt/37MxdqW
The News International - Karachi