Faiz Aman Mela 2012 was held at Open Air theatre Lahore, Bagh Jinnah Lahore on Sunday 12^th February. Salima Hashmi daughter of Faiz Ahmad Faiz and myself linked Faiz Amn Mela in our speeches to Baluch peoples struggle and demanded an end of state repression in the province. Moeen Din Badal member Bangladesh Parliament and leader of Pakistan Bharat Bangladesh Peoples Forum spoke about Faiz opposition to Pakistan military operation in Bangladesh during 1971 liberation struggle. Voices from Punjab in solidarity with national movements were the main highlight of this year Faiz Amn Mela.

Over 2000 activists with families participated in the four and half hour proceedings of the Mela. It begun with a revolutionary poetry reciting event and prominent poets recited their poetry. They included Dr. Khalid Javed Jan, Baba Najmi, Azaz Ahmad Azir, Nazir Qaiser, Shafiq Ahmad Shafiq, Rabia Shahzadi and Arif Shah Prohna.

During the second session, known artists sung Faiz Ahmad Faiz poetry and some of their popular songs. They included Adil Burki, Lal Band, Nida Faiz, Tanvir Siddique and Anait Abid. There was a lot of appreciation for this session and participant were dancing and singing along with the artists. Revolutionary slogans were raised again and again.

This event is held every year but this time it was organized by progressive and Left groups. People joined raising red flags. A book stall by Jamhoori Publication did good business. Labour Party Pakistan activists sold over 100 Monthly Mazdoor Jeddojuhd.

The area was decorated by banners and posters. Banners were hanged in different parts of Lahore and 10,000 posters were flyposted in the city. It was a mass activity by the Left groups in the city.

A “Faiz Aman Mela organizing committee” was formed for this purpose in a meeting on 19^th January 2012 attended by over 50 participants from different political parties, trade unions and social organizations. A Faiz Amn Mela Organsing committee was elected at the meeting.

The committee members include Ali Medeeh Hashmi (Faiz Foundation & Grandson of Faiz Ahmed Faiz), Hashim Bin Rashid (Worker’s Party), Maqsood Mujahid (Labour Party), Aleem Khan (Awami Party), Mehmood Butt (National Trade Union Federation), Murtaza Bajwa (Progressive Youth Front), Khalid Mehmood (Labour Education Foundation), Nosheen Khalid (Women Worker’s Helpline), Ammar Gulrez (Student), Khalid Mehboob (Social Activist), Farooq Tariq (Labour Party Pakistan), Sabir Butt (PTCL Worker’s Union) and Naeem Shakir (Workers Party).

One of the main features of this year Faiz Amn Mela was raising of funds from individuals and organizations to organize the event. 220,000 Rupees were raised, little over the proposed budget enabling the organizers to organize some transport for those who could afford to join but were not confirmed earlier. Thank you, contributors.

Several participants termed this year Faiz Amn Mela as one the best for years and that brought together most of the Left activists to one platform. The two daughters of Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Moneeze Hashmi and Salima Hashmi and their children along with their families also participated in the event.

There were suggestions that it should be held also in November to commemorate his death anniversary. It was also suggested by many that we should hold Jalib Mela as well in memory of great poet Habib Jalib.

Report by: Farooq Tariq