During the turmoil of 1971 in erstwhile East Pakistan, hundreds of thousands of non-Bengalis were massacred, said Azmat Ashraf and Jamil Usman.
The genocide of the non-Bengalis was purposely shrouded. Azmat Ashraf and Jamil Usman have performed a great job by authoring historic books – speeches by Ehtesham Arshad Nezami, Badar Munir, Azfar Shakil, and Obaida Iqbal.
Prominent poetess Zakia Ghazal recited a poem, commemorating the situation of non-Bengalis during and after the 1971 war.
Under the auspices of Voice for Humanity International,two books were honored and recognized. One was “Refugee” by Azmat Ashraf and the other “Jalawatan Kahaniyaan” (Stories in Exile) by Jamil Usman.
The eventwas attended by a large number of audiences from social and literary circles as well as ladies and gentlemen from all cadres of life.
Speaking to the Chairman of Voice for Humanity International and the host of live program “Hum Aur Aap,” Mr. Ehtesham Arshad Nizami, the author of Refugee Mr. Azmat Ashraf said that the reason he wrote his book was because the truth about the tragic events in East Pakistan were not brought to light by the Pakistani authorities for a long time.
During this tragedy seven members of his family were murdered in cold blood. The massacre of the non-Bengalis had begun long before the army operation started in East Pakistan. Replying to a question by Ehtesham Arshad Nezami, the author of Jalawatan Kahaniyaan Jamil Usman said that he has written eleven true stories in his book.
These stories also mention the kind hearted and compassionate Bengalis who did not side with the killers but saved the innocent non-Bengalis. He said that he has mentioned the killings of the non-Bengalis in his book because the Pakistani and Bangladeshi historians have totally neglected the truth.
Speaking about the book “Refugee,” prominent journalist and anchor person Mr. Badar Munir Chaudhry said that Refugee is a book that informs the world that there was a massive killing of non-Bengalis in East Pakistan Bangladesh in 1971, but the world does not know about it. Mr. Obaida Iqbal, speaking about Jalawatan Kahaniyaan, said that you would not be able to hold your tears if you read this book. These are true stories and Jamil Usman is commendable for writing them.
Voice for Humanity International Chairman Mr. Ehtesham Arshad Nezami said that both the books are historic. The world should know that the Mukti Bahini had started murdering the non-Bengalis well before the action by the Pakistani troops. Well known and internationally popular Pakistani poetess Zakia Ghazal made aspecial appearance and recited her pivotal poem titled, “Ummeed” (Hope) based on the pathetic condition of the Pakistanis stranded in the Bangladeshi camps.
The poem was overwhelmingly liked by the audience. Earlier the general secretary of Voice for Humanity Mr. Azfar Shakil welcomed the attendees and said that the purpose of his organization is to bring the facts to limelight about who were massacred in East Pakistan in 1971 and what the non-Bengalis went through after the fall of Dhaka. Those people are still languishing in squalid camps
after they were expelled from their houses.
Voice for Humanity Vice Chairman Mr. Ehsan-ul-Haque thanked the guests. Hafiz Zuhair Shahid had started the event with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an. Mr. Farrukh Nezami and Mr. Rizwan Anwar worked tirelessly to make the event a success. About 200 people, including theyoung generation, participated.
