“Literature Promotes Tolerance”

Seminar on “Literature Promotes Tolerance” during Annual Dinner of M.A. English UAF
Writer: Tahir Bashir

Department of Humanities and Linguistics organized a seminar by the renowned British novelist of Pakistani origin, Qaisra Shahraz, on the eve of the annual dinner of M.A English students on April 30, 2016 at Iqbal Auditorium.

Qaisra Shehraz during Seminar in University of Agriculture Faisalabad Pakistan.

Qaisra Shahraz is the author of three critically acclaimed novels and several short-stories among which her novel The Holy Woman and short-story A Pair of Jeans are her masterpieces in respective genres. This event could be made possible and successful by the generous collaboration offered by the Senior Tutor Office from the platform of Character Building Society.

The party was inaugurated by recitation of the verses from the Holy Quran and Na’at by
students of M.A. English. Qaisra Shahraz delivered an effective seminar on how “Literature Promotes Tolerance”, simultaneously making the female students in her audience realize and take inspiration from the fact that even being women from a society like Pakistan they can achieve a lot .

Afterwards, students and teachers asked questions from the worthy guest that she brilliantly answered . The guest acknowledged and expressed her best wishes that M.A. students were on the right track for their proper grooming. This was the third in a series of seminars, the other two earlier on had been arranged by ORIC for M.A. English students exclusively with an overseas Pakistani scholar Dr. Mahrukh Khan and with Dr. Angela from Ghana.

Here on, started the second phase of this event that became hugely entertaining. The students of Second semester staged their dramatic presentation to highlight issues regarding the education of special children in Pakistan, whereas students of fourth semester rocked the Iqbal Auditorium stage maneuvering a skit out of the traditional Heer-Ranjha folk-tale. Besides that members of the Virsa Music Society, and its
in-charge Dr. Asim Aqeel who was also one of the organizers of Qaisra Shahraz’s seminar, entertained the audience with melodious song performances.

This was the only function we could attend throughout our two years stay at UAF but the memories we collected that evening from here are enough for a life-time. This was the first time we felt being boosted and given confidence that being students of a budding department we are still very much part and parcel of this university. Above all, the role of the university administration, especially the most revered Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan emerged very crucial. The Vice Chancellor graciously allowed the week-end program students to hold their annual function in the main hall of the university.

Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan (V.C of Agriculture University Faisalabad)

It is a very rare thing that any university would offer so much to its students and we shall always remain indebted to him. In fact, we owe a lot to Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan because he is constantly investing in English department by getting the faculty educated from foreign world ranking universities as well as by hiring new staff. He is deservedly recognized as one of the foremost Vice Chancellors Pakistani universities have ever had.

We wish him and UAF all the best. We are happy and lucky we have been able to share in the legacy that the department has to generate in due course, and we encourage our juniors to take the lead now.

Group Photo during seminar of MA English UAF