"Laho"- to -"Lahore"

ECO TIMES 32 December 2011
about the art of calligraphy as the
Iranians` identity. We communicated
very well in a warm and friendly
atmosphere.
It was the time for Mohiyddin Ahmad
Wani, Secretary of Culture, government
of Punjab, and in fact the
ministry`s head honcho, to make his
brief, calm and promising speech. He
talked passionately about his interest
in Iran. His remarks suggested
that he had been pursuing Iran`s
news on the post revolutionary era.
Afterwards, a small band went on
the stage. A cute young vocalist with
a groovy Urdu and a soulful vibrant
voice sang two panegyrics dedicated
to Imam Ali (pbuh). The highlight
of his performance was the elegant
song “For whomever I am the leader,
Ali also is his leader”. I felt a bit
worried for the presence of Sunni
participants, but it then diminished
as Mr. Jamil Oweisi, ECI Executive
Director, assured me that there was
nothing to worry about. He said in
his sweet accent "No more Shiite or
Sunni! We are united Muslims." I
well remember it was a while ago
when we were at the faculty of World
Studies, Tehran University. There,
one of the colleagues asked him “Are
you Shiite?” He replied, “How many
times have you been to the holy city of
Mashhad for the pilgrimage of Imam
Reza (AS) during the last year?”
Unfamiliar with the practice of taqiyya
(pronounced as taqiyeh by speakers
of Persian, meaning concealment
or disguise), he hesitated an instant,
scratched his head and answered: "I
haven’t had the chance!" "Well, but,
I have been blessed to make it four
times, you know." Mr. Jamil boasted,
while to his surprise asking "Now,
can you tell a Shiite from a Sunni?"
It was the time to award the medals
and honorary trophies. Mr. Rasheed
Butt`s handsome visage is of artistic
type as that of Mr. Mashayekhi`s. Mr.
Pakar, in charge of ECI`s audiovisual
affairs, was so forcibly struck by the
effect of his photogenic or, as I called,
"Hollywood typical" countenance.
He displayed his medals to the audiences
and reporters thoughtfully, exhibited
a very mature attitude befitting
the occasion. Master Kaboli also
articulated his sweet, eloquent and
to the point speech. The awarding
ceremony was held to venerate the
Persian calligraphers and followers.
The grand opening was ended up in
the inaugural ribbon-cutting ceremonies
in style to open up an entrance
into Alhamra beautiful galleries. The
Iranian`s artworks were amazingly
eye-catching. The crowd of visitors
enthusiastically looked at the displays.
Some Pakistani calligraphers
came to me. I swapped my business
card for hope and delight. That was a
good bargain.
We still had some time to spare before
attending the dinner which
would take place as scheduled at the
Ministry of Culture, government of
Punjab. Mr. Jamil Owaisi couldn`t
do more than he did to make the trip
such a memorable experience for us.
He took us to a shopping mall. I was
utterly speechless and spellbound
by the sincerity and graciousness I
saw displayed all around me by the
people in that holy land. I bought
Pakistan`s national costume consisted
of a paisley loose fitting tunic
with a stiff stand up collar in a deep
masculine blue color with baggy trousers
to complete the set. Bugs were
swarming about the store lights. We
were running out of time so it didn’t
seem like we mind the intense and
morbid fear of dengue mosquito bite.
To my companion`s great surprise, I
took off the formal suit I stuck in and
garbed myself in the outfit I had just
bought. In their attire, I got a kind
of closer look displaying a spirit of
unity and brotherhood practiced irrespective
of our colors. Never had I
felt such affinity with my true self. I
felt like I was walking in Kelardasht.
Lahore reminded me of my own small
hometown of Laho. We were scheduled
to dine at cuckoo, a restaurant
located in one of the ill-reputed areas
of Lahore. It was inspiring to know
that one of the locals was intent to
help improve and restore the notorious
area`s reputation. He had refurbished
and converted an old property
of architectural merit, which
appeared to be his mother`s asset,
to a unique traditional restaurant.
Being brought up in an ill-reputed
area hadn’t impaired the reputation
he had attained in the wake of sincerity
and righteousness. Yet, the teasing
and taunts of the morons still went
on and did not leave him a way out.
He said, "once I promised myself I
Pakistan's administrative system is
hierarchical and very law-abiding. A
stitch in time saves nine! Everyone
should climb up that ladder of success
one rung at a time.