Terming the Urdu language a ‘national asset’, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States (US), Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has said that it is a national duty to promote and to make future generations aware of Urdu literature and the country’s rich cultural heritage.
In this context, the Ambassador also invited the Pakistani community living in the US to utilize the embassy’s resources for events related to the promotion of cultural heritage, according to a press release received here on Tuesday from Virginia, US.
The Ambassador made these remarks while addressing an event as the Chief Guest, held to pay tribute to the great poet Asadullah Khan Ghalib. The event was organized by Bazm-e-Harf-o-Sukhan- a subsidiary of Muslim Response United States of America- in Woodbridge, Virginia.
The event was attended by prominent literary figures, community leaders, media representatives, and individuals from various walks of life. Dr Abdullah, Khalid Hameed, Naghma Sabohi, Faiz Rehman, Rahila Firdous, Babar Sarwar, Rashid Ansari, and Ali Shoaib Hassan also addressed the gathering, highlighting various aspects of Asadullah Khan Ghalib’s poetry.
Emphasizing the skills and intellectual depth of the great poet of the Indian subcontinent, the Ambassador stressed the responsibility to not only preserve this heritage but also promote it and pass it on to future generations.
Referring to the recent technological advancements, the Ambassador stated that technology should be leveraged to protect and promote the Urdu language and cultural heritage. He emphasized that Urdu is an integral part of our identity, and its promotion and development will strengthen Pakistaniyat.
Speaking on the promotion of the Urdu language and Pakistani culture in the United States, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh underscored that raising global awareness about Pakistan’s cultural heritage is a key aspect of public diplomacy, and every possible effort will be made in this regard.
The Ambassador highlighted that the Embassy had recently organized an exhibition of Islamic calligraphy to promote Pakistani arts and literature. He added that all events at the Embassy would be documented and published as Embassy Papers to ensure that such activities become part of historical records.
The envoy urged the community to actively contribute to the promotion and development of the Urdu language. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Ambassador congratulated Dr Arif Mahmood and other officials of Bazm-e-Harf-o-Sukhan for their dedication, efforts, and successful organization of the event.
Later, as the Chief Guest, he also honored various personalities in recognition of their social and professional contributions.