SSUET’s tribute to Maulana Hasrat Mohani

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Glowing tributes were paid to the eminent freedom fighter, Maulana Hasrat Mohani, at a seminar organized by the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, on May 14. 

The speakers on the occasion, who included renowned poet and scholar Sehar Ansari, noted scholar Dr Waqar Ahmed Rizvi and research scholar Khawaja Razi Haider, shed light on the life and achievements of the great poet and freedom fighter. 

The Chancellor of the SSUET, Engr Mohammed Adil Usman, who chaired the seminar, observed that Maulana Hasrat Mohani always led a simple life, free of wants, which re-strengthened his character and infused in him a spirit to live up to his convictions and support the cause of truthfulness. 

He brought awakening among the Muslims of South Asia through sheer dint of his dynamism and steered them to achieve their cherished goal, the Chancellor pointed out that Hasrat Mohani played a significant role along with Quaid-e-Azam and actively participated in the movement started by the Quaid for political emancipation of Indian Muslims and to achieve a dignified and peaceful place for them in the socio-economic structure of India. 

Engr Adil Usman remarked that Hasrat Mohani is acknowledged as the founder of modern poetry who concentrated mainly on the sincerity of thought and simplicity of sentiments and diction. 

His poetic contribution paints true and dignified sentiments of love and portrays multifarious phases of human passions, he said adding that Hasrat Mohani was a true product of his time and his verses are full of revolutionary thoughts and reflective of aspirations of a person whose life was not soothing.

Renowned poet and writer, Professor Sehar Ansari, highlighted the qualities of Hasrat Mohani, crediting him for having introduced the modern form of ghazal which portrayed true picture of the society and experiences of real human life. 

Noted scholar Prof Dr Waqar Ahmed Rizvi added that Hasrat Mohani transformed ghazal on modern lines. His poetic works touches upon variety of subjects with vision and can be described meaningful and unique for reflecting the political atmosphere of that time. 

On the occasion, research scholar Khwaja Razi Haider shed light on the life and achievements of Hasrat Mohani with special reference to his poetic contribution.