The Faiz Aman Mela has been held every year since 1986 and provides a platform for people to discuss progressive ideals and champion social issues.
The event was organised jointly by the Faiz Aman Mela Committee and the Awami Workers Party on Sunday, at the open air theatre at Lawrence Garden. The event marked the 103rd birth anniversary of Faiz.
The event resonates with working-classes and union workers. The Left has also been closely tied to the legacy of Faiz, said Ali Hashmi, a grandson of Faiz.
The poetry session this year was chaired by Dr Khalid Javed Jan, famous for his poem Mein Baghi Hoon. Aslam Gurdaspuri‚ Baba Najmi‚ Dr Khawaja Zakriya‚ Dr Kanwal Feroz‚ Shafique Ahmad Shafique‚ Arif Prohna‚ Dr Tahir Bashir‚ Rabia Shehzadi, Dr Shahida Dilawar, Hashim bin Rashid and Zubair Haider recited their poems and paid tribute to Faiz.
Musical performances included renditions of Faiz’s popular poems by Adeel Burki, Nida Faiz, Tarannum Naz, Usman Raja, Tauheed Malik, Islam Shah and Inayat Abid.
Awami Workers Party General Secretary Farooq Tariq said their goal was to keep Faiz’s legacy alive. He said Faiz belonged to the people.
A book fair showcased Faiz’s poetry and books written about him. The event also provided space to stalls for various causes and campaigns.
The Women’s Worker Helpline, Mirani Dam flood victims and the National Student Federation highlighted their causes, while Sanjh Publications and Fiction House displayed their books.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2013.