Renowned poet Fahmida Riaz’s daughter turned down the prestigious Presidential award announced by the Pakistani government for the late poet. Fatima’s daughter stated that her mother would not have accepted the award due to the unjust treatment of journalists and writers.
Fahmida Riaz was one of the most well-respected and established writers, poets and activists in recent times. The renowned poet has written several popular books, some of which are Godaavari, Khatt-e Marmuz, and Khana-e-Aab O’ Gil – the first translation in rhyme of the Masnavi of Jalaluddin Rumi from Persian into Urdu.
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Fahmida was also known for being progressive and an active feminist and human rights activist.
The late poet sadly passed away in 2018.
Recently, the Pakistani government announced to honor the late-great poet/writer with the presidential award. Fahmida’s daughter, Veerta Ali Ujan was supposed to accept the award on her late mother’s behalf. However, she declined the award, believing that her mother would not have accepted it if she was alive.
“I am refusing the presidential award for my mother’s work. I’m sure she would have refused it if she was alive today.”
She has declined the award announced in protest against the kidnapping and torture of journalists and writers. She further added,
“If my mother was alive today, she would not wish to be associated with any government award in the current climate of authoritarian intimidation of publications, writers and journalists. She would be crying over the state of Karachi and angry at the way blasphemy cases are being used as a blunt instrument to divide society.”
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