Remembering Ahmed Faraz: Poet of Romance and Resistance

Road named after Faraz in Islamabad
Published in Pakistan Observer (26 Aug 2011)
Sana Jamal

Islamabad – Ahmed Faraz, the poet of love and defiance, was remembered by his friends and admirers on his third death anniversary, observed on Thursday.

Ahmad Faraz, who has often been compared with Faiz Ahmed Faiz, holds a distinctive position as one of the greatest romantic Urdu poet of our times, with an excellent yet plain style of writing which a common man can easily understand and relate to. Recalling Ahmed Faraz, a prominent journalist, Khalid Hasan remarked that “Ahmed Faraz was a classicist like Faiz Ahmed Faiz who, like him, produced poetry of great lyrical beauty and who, like his mentor, never hesitated to stand up against oppression and never was afraid of suffering for his beliefs.”

Google celebrates with Pakistanis

As both arms of clock reached 12 and the date turned to 14, August, 2011 Pakistanis geared up to celebrate one the biggest festivals of the year. Yes, our independence day seems no less than a festival with all the lightings, fireworks, bike and car rallies, and flag hoisting ceremonies. Only this time, Pakistani internet users had one more reason to celebrate and for that they are thankful to Google Doodle Pakistan special logo. This:

Happy Independence day to all Pakistanis!

Jashan e Azaadi mubarak!

Wake up Pakistan.. shrug off the guilt.. Get back to work and rise and shine..
A beautiful tomorrow awaits you !

World Record for Most People Singing Pakistan National Anthem

More than 5800 patriotic Pakistanis gathered in Karachi city to sing “Pak Sar Zameen” (Pakistan's National Anthem) to mark Pakistan’s 64th independence day and set a new world record.

Before Pakistan, Philippine had the world record where 5248 citizens had sung their national anthem on 1 September 2009. It’s beaten by a number of 5800+ Pakistanis singing the anthem, claimed the organizers.

Unknown heroes of Pakistani Youth

Published in Pakistan Observer (12 Aug 2011)
Sana Jamal

Islamabad - “Change Our World” – the message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for World Youth Day (Aug 12), is more than a theme; it is an idea to inspire young people at all times. The theme rightly befits the young Pakistani men and women who comprise of more than 60 per cent of the total population and aspire to make a difference with their selfless contribution in the development of their society. From raising awareness and managing organizations to setting up blood banks and running schools; the youngsters, against all odds, are proving their abilities.

Mobisher Rabbani is one of the icons of Pakistan’s patriotic youth who is making every effort to promote Pakistan’s foreign policy, tourism, and culture through quiet diplomacy and using social media tools. He is the founder of ‘The Rabbani Foundation’, a philanthropic organization dedicated to humanity which has successfully carried out projects in UAE, Sri Lanka, Palestine, Philippines, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Mobisher's motto is simple: “We can begin small but why should we think small!”