LAHORE: (Sunday, December 17, 2023): In the spirit of global solidarity, Punjab University in collaboration with Ajoka Theatre, responded to the cause of Palestine with “Gaza Monologues”; the most expressive, sensitive and heart touching voice of innocent children’s and youngsters of Gaza, ages 13 to 17 years. Chairman Department of Graphic Design Prof Dr Ahmad Bilal designed the venue of Grand Hall of the Old Campus for this historic performance to add resonance to the voice of the Young Palestinians. The presentations of monologues in English, Urdu and Punjabi rendered with the emotions of pain and grief so that we can actually feel the real pain. A powerful artistic expression that wrench our heart and soul for the victims and makes us realize that do not stop talk about them do not forget them do not be used too with all that and play your role in every aspect do whatever you can do for them.
The event begins with his Urdu poem ‘Palestine and Muslim World’ by PU Oriental Colleges’ Prof Dr Shoaib Ahmad while a teacher and a poet Sufia Humayun presented her English poem. Ajoka artists Nirvaan Nadeem, Naseem Abbas and Kashif Fahim also presented the monologues. Usman Chauhdry read the Urdu translation done by (late) Amjad Islam Amjad of Mehmoud Dervesh’s poetry. Sadia Sarmad read the Urdu translation of 14-year-old girl Alaa Hajjaj’s writing in which she says “I wish that a ship comes to Gaza and takes me away to a world where peace prevails”. Ahmad Bilal and Ayesha Bilal together read the English and Urdu translations of 17-year-old Gaza resident Amjad Abu Yaseen who says in his monologue there was no art or sports in Gaza though he had dreamt of becoming an artist but there was no place to show his artistic skills. He shared his great wish to see Gaza growing and advancing in art and culture and sports. Renowned TV Producer Hafeez Tahir presented Urdu translation of Mahmood Balawi, I want to write for Gaza. Ahmad Bilal also presented a Punjabi Translation of Ali Al Hassanay monologue.
In his address, Dr Ahmad Bilal thanked PU VC, students, guests, performers and acknowledged their role that when there is a complete silence; it’s the art and humanities that responded. He thanked Executive Director of Ajoka Shahid Nadeem for being an inspiration and a resilient voice for the humanities for the past many decades.