Reference Organized To Pay Tribute To Khalida Hussain, Fehmida Riaz

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Jan, 2019 ) :Speakers at a reference held here Tuesday paid rich tribute to Fahmida Riaz and Khalida Hussain, saying that both were symbols of courage, bravery and resistance who fought their whole lives for rights of the oppressed and marginalized class of the society.

Family, friends and noted literary colleagues during the reference said that their writings, poetry, fiction stories and poems reflected the true picture and stark realities of the society. Both were great literary personalities, having deep knowledge and understanding of the society. Their contribution to the literature and society cannot be ignored and shall always be remembered.

The reference to pay tribute to Fahmida Riaz and Khalida Hussain was organized here by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), said a press release.

Kishwar Naheed, renowned urdu poet said that Fahmida Riaz was against conservative thoughts which also depicts in her writings and poetry. Her fictions and poetry usually revolved around the socio-political conditions of the subcontinent after partition.

Kishwar while expressing her thoughts for Khalida Hussain said that her name was a big name in the literature. Every single novel and fiction of Khalida Hussain depict different and true picture of the society, she added.

Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director, SDPI said that Sustainable development and sustainable societies cannot be accomplished and achieved without the contributions of such noted literary figures whose work cannot be ignored.

He said that if Fahmida Riaz and Khalida Hussain do not raise the issues of oppressed women class, our society would remain backward. He said that our young generation should familiar with the struggle and contribution of such great literary figures for their contribution to literature and society.

Ahmed Salim, a Noted Progressive Writer and Senior Advisor education & Religious Diversity, SDPI said that there is need to acknowledge the work of both great literary personalities and realize the new-generation about their work and contribution.

Hameed Shahid, Fiction Writer said that Khalida Hussain and Fahmida Riaz were two different ladies by natures but full of life and creation. He said that Khalida Hussaisn's life revolved around movements, resistance and demonstrations. She spent her life fighting for her thought and ideology, which mostly about existence and identity.

She was, though, not a feminist but her work depicts the very issues of women. He said that to understand Khalida Hussain, one should read "Dadi Jan aj Chuti par hain", a masterpiece of her fictions. Whereas, Fahmida Riaz, work in fiction cannot be ignored. 'Jhano ko Chithi mili' was her best fiction work which depicts the true picture of the society. Dr Najeeba Arif, of International Islamic University Islamabad said that we should be thankful to these two great ladies who empowered us through her writings, fictions, poetry and poems.

Yasra, daughter of Khalida Hussain while expressing her thoughts at the reference said that her mother was a compassionate, humble and brave lady. She said that her mother was not a feminist but she wanted to see women naturally strong and empowered.

Ishfaq Salim Mirza, a noted progressive writer said that my first encounter to Fahmida Riaz was through her literary collections which include Badan Dareeda and Pathar ki Zaban. He said that Fahmida was among those literary personalities whose work always be remembered, whereas, Khalida Hussain was a confident lady who was committed to her work.

Fatima Hassan, Urdu Poet said that Fahmida Riaz was a symbol of resistant who did not compromise on her thought, believes and ideology, whereas, Khalida Hussain raises awareness among women through her writing and fictions. Dr. Humaira, Urdu Editor and Research Fellow SDPI said that both great ladies fought for the oppressed and marginalized class of the society.

She said that both were a symbol of courage and bravery, which reflected in their writings, poetry, fiction stories and poems.