Islamabad: Karachi Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi commemorated the first death anniversary of celebrated poet Ajmal Siraj with a poignant memorial at the Haseena Moin Hall. The event commenced with a video showcasing the poet’s life and literary accomplishments, evoking heartfelt memories among attendees.
President Arts Council, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, along with other notable figures including Prof. Sahar Ansari, Dr Zia-ul-Hasan, Javed Saba, Khalid Moin, Afzal Ahmed Syed, Syed Mohsin, Kamran Nafees, Shahid Rassam, Allaudin Khanzada, Aqeel Abbas Jafri, and Seman Naveed, shared their reflections on Siraj’s life. The gathering was presided over by Siraj’s son, Abdul Rehman Momin.
Shah recounted his close association with Siraj, forged through shared appreciation of poetry. He described Siraj as a courageous and unwavering companion whose presence is still deeply missed. Ansari lauded Siraj’s widespread recognition as a cherished poet during his lifetime, highlighting his camaraderie, fortitude, and zeal. He urged Shah to assemble Siraj’s complete works, both published and unpublished, into a comprehensive collection.
Hasan credited Siraj for his introduction to Karachi and emphasized the poet’s sophisticated literary sensibilities. He portrayed Siraj as someone for whom poetic expression and disseminating affection were integral to existence. Rassam reminisced about the time spent with Siraj, acknowledging their differing perspectives yet emphasizing the unbreakable bond of their friendship. He highlighted Siraj’s love for history, Sufi disposition, and the expansive scope of his poetic creations.
Saba praised Siraj’s exceptional linguistic skills and meticulous approach to Urdu poetry, solidifying his position as a significant literary figure. Moin expressed disbelief at Siraj’s passing, noting his immediate impact through his poetic voice and captivating personality. Khanzada commended Siraj for a life lived with grace and honor. The memorial also included a touching poetic homage by Naveed dedicated to Siraj.
Siraj’s family, along with a considerable assembly of respected academics, poets, authors, and admirers, attended the memorial, paying heartfelt tribute to his enduring literary contributions.