Glowing tribute paid to the poet philosopher for his countless contributions
By Riaz Ahmed Malik
Nizami Ganjavi, the national poet of Azerbaijan, known as the harbinger of peace, tolerance love and humanity played a momentous role in the promotion of human values and cultural ethos of the countries world-wide. The creative work of the Nizami Ganjavi is immortal and a common heritage of the generations to come.
This was the essence of the speeches delivered at the Seminar entitled ‘Nizami Ganjavi: A Revolutionary, Visionary Poet and Philosopher’, organized by the Centre for Eurasia and Central Asia Studies-Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies and Riphah Institute of Public Policy, Riphah International University.
Ambassador of Azerbaijan H.E Khazar Farhadov who was the Chief Guest on the occasion, while paying glowing tributes to the poet, philosopher apprised the audience that as per the order of President Ilham Aliyev, year 2021 is being observed as the “Year of Nizami Ganjavi”, thereby country-wide celebrations are being held in connection with the 880th anniversary of the great poet. The Ambassador added that Nizami’s work has become an integral part of the spirituality of the people of Azerbaijan for over eight centuries. He went on to say that the entire life and rich literary activity of the great poet are connected with Ganja, the capital of the Azerbaijani Atabey’s state, which was known as one of the largest cities of Azerbaijan and the Caucasus. He further said that Nizami Ganjavi supplemented Eastern artistic thinking with scientific and philosophical thoughts and raised his poetry to unprecedented heights with his universal and miraculous poetic power. The Ambassador further added that the famous “Khamsa” of the poet-thinker stands at the peak of the search for spiritual riches of human race and occupies a worthy place amongest the masterpieces of the world literature.
The envoy acquainted the audience that the great poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s works is also being studied in Azerbaijan since years and the Writers’ Union of Azerbaijan has also published his “selected work”, and that at the initiative of the World Turkic Academy, Iqbal’s book “Reconstruction of Islamic Thoughts” was translated into Azerbaijani language and published.
Professor Dr. Eynulla Madatli, Executive Director, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences shared his wisdom and insight on Nizami Ganjavi.
Dr. Anar Gafarov, Associate Professor, Institute of Philosophy, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences while discussing the topic “heritage & history of Nizami”, said that concepts of life and death: meaninglessness, negligence, self-alienation, are the key lessons of Nizami.
Dr. Ijlal Hussain, Director, Silk Road Centre Islamabad, Abdul Basid Muhajid, Assistant Professor Allama Iqbal Open University also proficiently highlighted the outstanding contributions of Nizami Ganjavi. Earlier, Dr. Rashid Aftab, Director, Riphah Institute of Public Policy in his welcome address comprehensively threw light on the feats of Nizami Ganjavi.
Ms. Farhat Asif, President Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies adeptly conduced the programme by narrating the objectives of the seminar.
