The contribution of Carvan-e-Adab in advancing the cause of literature

By Dr. Amjad Parvez

It has been many years since the literary organizations are holding seminars and Mushairas in Great Britain to bridge the gap of development of subcontinent's literature with the one emanating abroad. The organization namely Carvan-e-Adab is playing a leading role to advance this cause. Certain vested quarters pose the question as if these sessions pertain only to quench the thirst of literature lovers staying abroad. That according to this scribe is a very restricted view of these efforts. They forget that the development of literature whether in Urdu language or in other local languages like Punjabi are different back home as compared to the one abroad. Experiences of both ^groups if this scribe is allowed to call them are different. The Expatriate Community while living abroad faces different problems while those staying home have experiences of their own in the changing geo-political environment for example. The seminars and the poetry recitation sessions held abroad serve many purposes. Firstly it brings face to face the ideas whether in prose or in poetry of the both groups that change with each day passing. Secondly, the generation staying abroad, listens to and possibly get influenced by the ideas through the poetry and presentations of the visitors from back home and vice versa as the printed journals take a specific time to travel overseas and they too perhaps do not express the presentations of all concerned. The process initiates a debate to reach to a consensus. Thirdly it is a social occasion for the visiting delegations to meet their counterparts staying abroad and vice versa. Fourthly reading elaborate articles on the cause and styles of veteran poets and scholars especially on the contributions of the Sufi Saints reiterates their works which is a very much desired facet for the inhabitants of the present day fast moving globe. Fifthly the spiritual longing is fulfilled to some extent. The British Government encourages such get-togethers in the shape of giving some funds to the registered societies through the respective Council Funds. This scribe has also witnessed a reasonable number of British intellectuals attending these functions, especially the ones researching on the works of the subcontinent poets and writers. However, these funds are sometimes very limited and the organizers go out of the way to arrange some Asian sponsors and sometimes have to invest a certain amount form their own pockets to hold such occasions including arranging the stay, air ticket and payment to the visitors. This aspect only is indicative of the passion of the literature lovers.

Like the previous year, Carvan-e-Adab held its Baba Farid National Conference and International Poetry Recitation Session in the Community center, Oldham, UK this summer. The topic of the Conference was the need of dissemination of the message of love and peace as propagated by Sufi poets in the present day, especially in the light of Baba Farid's teachings. Delegates from the Great Britain, Germany, Pakistan and other countries participated. The audience comprised a large gathering of both male and female genders. The event was presided by Pakistan's veteran poet and intellectual Muhsin Ehsan and the Chief Guests were Chaudhry Muhammad Anwar, Dr. Javed Zaidi and Dr. Mukhtar ud din Ahmad. The compeering was done by Zahid Fakhri, the visiting poet from Pakistan.

Zahid Fakhri while inviting Sabir Raza, President of Carvan-e-Adab and the main spirit behind the nineteen years of the activities of Carvan-e-Adab stated about the difference between Momin and Sufi, Sabir Raza that a Mom in resorts to thanking God when he is rewarded and is tolerant if he doesn't. On the hand, if a Sufi gets something, he thanks God and if he gets something he distributes it among the needy. Sabir Raza welcomed all the delegates from all over the world and briefed the house on the aims and objectives of the organization. He added that Sufis brings the human being together with love rather than divide them. Muhsin Ehsan in his Presidential address stated that Baba Farid had given respect to the status of human beings as the poetry and message of Sufis offer social awakening and moral fiber to the society. He added that the seed of Sufism sown by Sabir Raza and his colleagues many years ago has become a powerful tree now. Sufism therefore is the need of the day, he concluded. Famous poet and scholar Saleem Akhtar from Pakistan presented an article on the character and works of Baba Farid reiterating the fact that his poetry gave message of humanity, love and peace. In his article, Professor Dr. Sajid Ali from the University of Punjab, Lahore submitted that Sufis have always propagated the truth and have presented a model way of life to the humanity. He reiterated that the present era needs to be introduced to their philosophies; a dire need of today.

Sabir Raza presented Amjad Ali Bhatti's book titled `Rukhi Sukhi Kha Tey Thanda Pani Pee' on the life and works of Baba Farid to Muhsin Ehsan. Dr. Inam ul Haq Javed, Dean Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad has been the main impetus behind production of this book, the House was informed. Sabir Raza stated that each year, a book on Sufis is prepared by Dr. Inam. The Seminar was followed by a `Mushaira' in which Muhsin Ehsan, Zahid Fakhri, Khalid Masoud, Agha Nisar, Saleem Akhtar from Pakistan, Dr. Mukhtar ud din Ahmad, lgbal Navid, Basir Kazmi, Farooq Saghar, Dr. Nasir ud din. Dr. Akhtar Awan, Chaudhry Muhammad Anwar. Majid Ajmi, Shahzad Aslam, Sabir Raza, Shariq Khan. Liaquat Ali Ehed, Nusrat Saba, Abida Sheikh and Babar Bhanbhosri from UK and Sajjad Haider from Germany participated. The last session of the function was songs by Pakistan's Khalid Beg. One of the attractions was the Painting Exhibition by Agha Nisar who has been holding such exhibitions in UK for the past six years with success.

In the end the House reached to consensus on two points, firstly that a University in the name of Baba Farid be started in the province of Punjab or any other University be named after him and two, the respect of human being be returned to all humans without any distinction of race, religion or colour.