Source: Muzaffar Seikh of Daily Jang Urdu.
Mr Muzaffar Sheikh has published a very nice Urdu translation of a poem by Günter Grass of Germany. Poem has already brought a thunder storm in Europe. However hats off to Günter who in spite of threats and extreme pressue refused to appologise or to take back his poem. Those who understand Urdu can now also enjoy it.
Click HERE for Urdu Translation.
The translator should have better tried to write such a poem on the attitude of those who rule Pakistan. That might have helped condition of his own people. He and any other Pakistani has no moral ground to point fingers at any other country until their own country is not free of its own defaults!
I think Mr M Sheikh just translated it and contents are of Mr Grass. What is the harm if some journalist is providing a fair account of any effort. He keeps on pointing good points for Pakistan also.
I am an Ahmadi; I have personally suffered an “ACUTE” Social, Communal, Professional, Ethnical, Racial, Governmental and Educational Persecution for GOOD 25+ YEARS (non-stop); for no other reason but being AN AHMADI.
I have the full comprehension of how does it feel and how other Ahmadis feel amidst the persecution. I also understand OUR COMMON PAIN that we share as a Jamaat (community) – But I am EXTREMELY surprised over the comment that;
QUOTE
“HE” AND ANY OTHER PAKISTANI has no moral ground to point fingers at any other country until their own country is not free of its own defaults!
UNQUOTE
The referred “HE” is the person who:-
1. Is not AUTHOR of the POEM
2. He has eloquently translated (with excellent poetic diction from German to URDU) – A MASTER PIECE POEM OF A WORLD-FAME “GERMAN” POET.
This GERMAN poem has literally STIRRED the world conscience about an Atrocity which is hovering right above the entire world.
THE SUBJECT MATER of the POEM is exactly in conformity with the following:-
LONDON, 6 December 2011
WORLD MUSLIM LEADER SENDS MESSAGE OF PEACE TO POPE BENEDICT
Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad has sent a direct message to Pope Benedict XVI
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++“It is with regret that if we now observe the current circumstances of the world closely, we find that the foundation for another world war has already been laid.
As a consequence of so many countries having nuclear weapons, grudges and enmities are increasing and the world sits on the precipice of destruction.
I believe it is essential, that we urgently increase our efforts to save the world from this destruction. There is an urgent need for mankind to recognise its Creator as this is the only guarantor for the survival of humanity.”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.alislam.org/press-release/Message-to-Pope-Benedict.Dec.11.pdf
Faiz Ahmad Faiz Sahib (Late) was a close friend of many Ahmadis and particularly of (Late) Saqib Zeervi Sahib. Faiz Sahib’s children called Saqib Sahib “Chacha” and Yasir Zeervi still (today) refers to Faiz Sahib as “Taya JI”.
Faiz Sahib always had a great attitude towards Jamaat Ahmadiyya.
Should we STAND UP and CRITICISE Faiz Sahib; why he wrote GOOD WORLD CLASS POETRY and that about Africans, Palestinians and Martyres of Biafra – and WHY HE DID NOT WRITE ABOUT AHMADIS ?
Munno Bhai (Munir Ahmed Sheikh) and Kishwer Nahid are the TWO LIVING DISCIPLES of (Late) Saqib Zeervi Sahib; who publically claim that they learnt how to write good poetry and prose from Saqib Sahib.
Does anyone remember the Tribute to Saqib Sahib by Pakistani Journalists at Lahore Hilton – and how Munno Bhai and Kishwer spoke about him and his Jamaat ?
Should we again STAND UP and CRITICISE them for what additions they make to Urdu Literature ?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Should we not be the first ones to Praise and Applaud Sheikh Muzaffar ul Hasan for translating the “World Class German Poetry” (which also happens to relate to the Message of Peace by the Supreme Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat) in such a Refined Urdu Diction???????
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Assalam-o-alaikum brother!
Zubair sb: Point taken
Shahid sb: Should have explained what my comments really meant. Günter has no doubt written good poetry to the subject. Actually people like Norman Frankstein, Günter to some extent server the purpose of some self imposed saviors of islam. i.e. mullahs, results we see in the form of jihadist attacks on synagogues, increased levels of anti-semitism, fanaticism and most hateful of all i.e. conspiracy theories. People of the kind Zaid Hamid are wonderful gifts for the cause of humanity! His speeches and videos are serving the justification for anihilation and total ethnic/religious cleansing of Muslims in India, irrespective of sect. Hope you understand what it takes to be a muslim in India. By the way, persecution is not a monopoly of any one, i stand in the same place where you stand too.
Wa-alaikum usalam wa-rehmatUllah!
My point relates to the following sentence:-
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He and any other Pakistani has no moral ground to point fingers at any other country until their own country is not free of its own defaults!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“HE AND ANY OTHER PAKISTANI ……… “ in the present context becomes the big concern, especially; when it points directly at the translator {“HE”} who merely Translated a Piece of Contemporary Literature.
Neither the Author nor the Translator is seen pointing any finger to any country in the poem, except those who are causing constant escalation towards a Nuclear Combat. The entire poem is about that Global Political Situation and nothing more.
AND it is exactly what Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad Sahib (aba) and many other leaders of repute from many countries are doing, as well.
I hope, my point is clear.
I should have made it clear as to what i meant by ‘He and any other Pakistani’ which was meant exclusively for the fascists and those who have ‘self righteousness’ in Pakistan. people who think they are the saviors of humanity or so to say ‘moozlum ummah’, where as they have not done justice with those who live there. Forget about Ahmadis, lets say Balochs, Kashmiris, Hindus etc. Interne is not the best way to understand what people really want to convey, hope inshallah we can meet someday to discuss it better. No need to take it personal.
Ma’salama
In fact my comment was not meant at the poem, poet, its translation, Translator, neither for Israel/Iran events, but for the self-righteousness seeking section of pakistan. Which i can say ‘bad’ pakistanis. Offcourse there are ‘good’ people who live there too, but their voice is marginalised by the oppurtunistic minded rulers. Peace yall!
Shahid Pervaiz, I salute you. When a community is persecuted and is singled out for ridicule, there is a danger that some members of the community develop a sort of tunnel vision. This can change their psychology which in turn can ruin their reputation and bring disrepute to the community. We need people like you to keep reminding us that we are supposed to be free thinking and open-minded Muslims, with the motto: Love for all and hatred for none.
I once wrote, about my experiences in the US in a post at:
http://open.salon.com/blog/mzafrullah/2009/01/26/when_i_got_my_dear_null_email
Now I see it as a self analysis. In it I compare my behavior with my past behavior and with the behavior of a low caste Pakistani fellow worker.
I do hope and pray that we Muslims, Ahmadis included, start seeing merit where merit is and stop criticizing people just because we do not know them or because they are different.
To those who have fallen victims to my kind of condition: It is not incurable. All you need is some prayer and an open mind.
By the way, I still whine and complain but I try to make sure that I deal a fair hand when I serve.
Well said Mr Zafrullah. Man keeps on improving till his last breath.
Muhammad ZafrUllah and Zubair Khan:
I request your camaraderie in acclaiming a couplet of Mustafa Zaidi:-
Mudatoon Apne Dile Zaar ka Matam Ker Ke
Khud se Badh kar bi Kai Sokhta Jaan Dekhe Hain
While I Thank You Muhammad ZafrUllah for your Note, I sincerely wish to direct “Your Salute” to Sheikh Muzaffar ul Hasan for adding a beautiful (poetic) translation to Urdu Literature.
I read your referred post at the Open Salon. It says more than its words – Wow!
I agree in Toto.
I also agree in toto with Mr SP. Sh Muzaffar has done a wonderful job by translating it in Urdu. A good work containing truth must be appreciated by all those who love truth and preach it.
A couple of kind comments, in perhaps years, I am overwhelmed and thankful.
مدتوں اپنے دل زار کا ماتم کرکے
خود سے بڑھ کر بھی کیی سوختہ جاں دیکھے ہیں
موت کو جن کے تصور سے پسینہ آجاے
زیست کے دوش پہ وہ بارگراں دیکھے ہیں
تب کہیں جا کران اشعار کے گہوارے میں
بصیرت کے ہمکنے کے نشاں دیکھے ہیں
Mustafa Zaidi was probably not talking about me or anyone in particular, quite a few Urdu poets have worked this route of explaining how they get their poetry.
Mine is a different kind of story. When I got the crazy idea of fighting the windmills, I was young, confident and ignorant. Now that I know that the windmills are big, stone and steel, structures that cannot move I think perhaps it would be better if I had skirted them; but too late. Besides if I get another chance at life I am sure I would do exactly as I did in this life, it is in the nature! (In another life? If I manage to get back on the horse with lance in hand I’d probably have another go at them monster!)
That outburst in that Salon post was written not to complain but to explain. Thanks anyway. God bless you all.
Good ko know the traces of your life long path.
What an accomplished man you are good to know. Unfortunately here no one cares. Just bad luck.
Friends:
I am once again back in my nostalgia – Yes, the life for all those of us who carried “that” aspiration of STRIVE had to face its rough & rowdy chunk.
My biggest complaint (realization – perhaps) in life came the day I turned 40 years of age; sharing it with (Late) Hakim Muhammad Saeed Sahib that I was “told” and “expected” to be “Good” (what an odd relatively) but “is there someone who buys it” ?
Mustafa Zaidi – I am back to reading his “Harfe Aakhir” the prologue of his last collection – Kohi Nida.
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Kuch mein hi janta hoon jo mujh per guzar gai
Dunya to lutf legi mere waqeat mein
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I acknowledge your feel and sincerely wish to keep on “exerting” whatever the best we can.
However, how far can we push the envelope !
Years back – on a day like this – Salima Hashmi “RESCUED” me with her question, “Do you find a reason to “repent” for what you did and are doing” ? – And recited Faiz Sahib’s Line:-
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Her Dagh he iss Dil mein Bajuz Daghe Nadamat
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We are lucky that we still can walk with our heads – UP.
God may retain us all, able enough to take pride in what we do and Free of a Daghe Nadamat. Amen.
Now I regret my outburst. I am all right, alhamdulillah. Life would not be worth living if it did not have its ups and downs. Let’s close this topic and get back to the poem.
I wish I could read it in German, though the translation is impressive. (Oh I do not read German. One of my stupid prejudices kept me from learning it.)
Of course a number of people have had a go at Israel, but nothing can budge it as long as its Uncle Tom (the Uncle Sam to the world) is slavishly supporting it. So, “save your breath” is all I can say to Israel’s critics. In my opinion nothing will happen until Israel’s main backer realizes its error or, God forbid, it goes down itself.
Thanks to all – espeially to Shahid Pervez and Zubair Khan – for kind considerations. The translation was an humble attempt meant not for literary but only for journalistic requirement. Still i am thankful for the appreciation from friends with konwledge of german. thanks to all.