Fahmida Riaz and Khalida Hussain were symbols of courage, bravery and resistance who fought their whole lives for rights of the oppressed and marginalized class of the society. Their writings, poetry, fiction stories and poems reflected the true picture and stark realities of the society. Both were great literary personalities who have deep knowledge and understanding of the society. Their contribution to the literature and society cannot be ignored and shall always be remembered.

These were the views expressed by the family, friends and noted literary colleagues during a reference to pay tribute to Fahmida Riaz and Khalida Hussain, organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Tuesday.

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 subcontinent after partition.

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.

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. 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.

Source: https://vid.app.com.pk/vid/2019/01/family-friends-and-literary-colleagues-pay-tribute-to-khalida-hussain-and-fehmida-riaz/