A Warm Welcome to Dr. Fatima Hasan in London
✍️ Shariq Ali Valueversity
Today, we gather here in London to welcome a distinguished intellectual, researcher, poet, and writer whose contribution to the promotion of Urdu language, literary scholarship, and feminist thought spans nearly half a century.
Welcome, Dr. Fatima Hasan!
Dr. Fatima Hasan’s presence and personality transcend the boundaries of poetry or research alone—she is, in herself, a profound intellectual dialogue. Her book Kitab-e-Dostaan holds a very special place in my heart. In it, she has portrayed insightful sketches of some of the literary and intellectual figures of her time, along with other essays, written with sincerity, clarity, and thoughtful depth.
Among them, her tribute to her mentor, Professor Aslam Farrukhi, is rich in respect, emotion, and insight. Aslam Farrukhi was also the father of my dear college fellow and late friend, Asif Farrukhi. Asif was my senior and an acclaimed literary figure. While our bond wasn’t informal, it was one of respectful friendship. It was upon his request that I wrote a report on the very first Karachi Literature Festival held in London. His untimely passing remains a sorrowful memory I will not elaborate on here. Since Dr. Fatima Hasan shared such a deep, almost familial connection with both Aslam and Asif Farrukhi, my mention of Asif here is also a quiet, heartfelt gesture of condolence to his elder sister.
My personal meeting with Dr. Fatima Hasan took place years ago at the Idara-e-Taraqqi-e-Urdu in Karachi, during a small gathering where Mr. Me’raj Jami presented a paper on my first book Kan Kun. Both Dr. Hassan and Professor Sahar Ansari were present at the event. Her thoughtfulness, clarity of expression, and intellectual grace left a lasting impression on me.
Today, as she joins us as the Guest of Honour at an important literary and intellectual seminar in London titled Women, Resistance, and Dialogue, it is not only an occasion to welcome her, but also to honour her stature in the world of ideas.
This seminar has been beautifully organized under the banner of London Urdu Voice. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Urooj Asif and Mr. Yousuf Ibrahim for turning this event into a graceful and memorable reality.
Dr. Fatima Hasan,
Your presence is a source of joy and pride for us.
We sincerely acknowledge your remarkable services to Urdu literature and scholarship.
The city of London and its literary circles warmly welcome you.