To Find Refuge in Farid’s Poetry

Staff Report - Daily Times - Lahore, Pakistan
Friday, December 7, 2007

Khwaja Ghulam Farid taught the lesson of ‘spiritual democracy’ to the people of Punjab, said caretaker Federal Law minister Justice Syed Afzal Haider on Friday.

He was speaking at a seminar organised by the Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture (PILAC) in connection with the birthday celebrations of the Punjabi poet.

He said Ghulam Farid’s poetry gave a message of human liberty. He said the poet had spread the message of love to the whole of humanity.

“Ghulam Farid adhered to the Chishtia Nizamia creed of Sufism that urges its followers to love human beings,” he said.

Musarat Kalanchvi, a Saraiki scholar, said the woman’s image portrayed in Farid’s poetry was of a mentally strong woman. She said the woman was honoured in various relations in Farid’s poetry. “That woman is physically delicate but of powerful nerves,” she added.

Writer Bushra Rehman said Farid’s poetry had a universal appeal. She said Punjab’s culture was prevalent in his poetry through the characters he had created.

Asad Qadri, a dervish from Dhonkal, said he had been a devotee of the Sufi poet since long. “I have come here to pay my homage to the great saint and poet,” he added. He said Farid’s poetry had a magical effect on those who did not have hatred in their hearts.

Saifullah, a devotee from Muzaffargarh, said although Farid had taught Hadith for 32 years, he was not a rigid mullah. He said those rejected by the world could find refuge in Farid’s poetry.

Nasim Abbas, a visitor from Taunsa Sharif, said the poet had taught people to be optimistic.

Mohan Bhaghat, a folk singer, sang Kafis (short poems) written by Farid that were appreciated by the audience.

[You can also read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khwaja_Ghulam_Farid].