ISLAMABAD: Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) marked May 19th as “Hazara Culture Day”. The day is being celebrated every year to highlight the unique culture and language of the community and their indigenous culture.
Director General, PNCA Dr. Fouzia Saeed has been working to promote local and regional cultural heritage of the country and regional offices are being opened in remote areas for the purpose.
In her opening remarks Dr. Fouzia Saeed said, like any other regional colors of Pakistani culture, Hazara has a special flavor of their social life, music and tradition. PNCA has the mandate to promote and project all the cultural entities of the country.
The event held on-line due to Covid-19 was participated by experts and intellectuals from Pakistan and abroad.
The participants highlighted the historical background of the Hazara community living in Pakistan, Afghanistan and other countries of the world.
Fatima Atif, an active member and promoter of the idea who played key role in organizing this program shed light on the history of Hazara people.
She was of the opinion that the community is facing identity problems and wants to be acknowledged on a national level. This can only be done by providing space, time and share to them in all programs of national level. She also highlighted the diversity within the community.
Fida Gulzari, from Canada and Jan Gulzari from Australia also elaborated the history, saying that this community is the descendant of Mongols-Turks.
Jan Gulzari said that this community has been ignored by the intellectuals and historian since long and that is why that very few people have the knowledge about this community.
He named few books on the subject; Loghat Hazara by Dr. Ali Akbar, Farhang Adbiyat Hazargi by Hussan Ali Yousfi, A sketch of Hazaragi by Dr. Hafeez and Hazara embroidery and handicrafts by Jan Gulzari.
Ishque Mehmoodi from USA appreciated the efforts of PNCA for promoting Hazara Culture. He asked for granting of time and space on TV and Radio for the Hazara language.
Zakir Mukhtar from UK thanked Dr. Fouzia Saeed for her interest in the promotion of diverse culture of the country. Holding such events and activities are the real source of promotion, projection and preservation of culture, he said. Through these programs we transfer our cultural heritage, music and folk lore to our next generation, he added.
A large number of Hazara people living around the world are ignorant of their culture and values, he said.
The participants acknowledge the contribution of Dr. Fouzia Saeed for bringing Hazara community to lame light and mainstream.
Dr. Fouzia Saeed, host of the program, appreciated the love and attachment of the participants to the culture. She assured that she will continue to work for the promotion of indigenous culture and provision of time and space on TV and Radio and other forms for the Hazara community.
She said culture is not static and everyone should acknowledge internal diversity as well. Clips of Hazara music and culture events reflecting Hazara traditions were shared with the participants. She advised use of social media for making more people aware about Hazara community and their culture.
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