PESHAWAR: Ali Moeen is a versatile genius. Nothing escapes his sharp eye. A prolific writer, Ali Moeen launched his illustrious writing career in his early teens. His recent book ‘Awaz’ in Urdu is a welcome addition.

It contains inspiring pieces covering almost all important aspects of social and political life. It is a collection of his Urdu columns inspiring a vision to purge society of evils.

A restless soul, Ali Moeen gives a befitting expression to his unique observations, ideas and thoughts inform reform and educate his readers.

His maiden poetry collection ‘Badan Ki Khanqah Se’ came out in 1991. It was followed by ‘Bhagwa Bhais’ a collection of pen-portraits of common people, the first ever of its kind in Urdu .

Latest Urdu book of Ali Moeen a welcome addition

He did masters in English literature and political science from Government College University, Lahore. A playwright, columnist, lyricist, screenwriter and media consultant and product developer may not adequately describe his creative and imaginative flight.

Ali Moeen gives a strong voice to his deep silence and becomes voice himself to speak out his soul to break the deadening silence. He sugarcoats to unveil bitter realities grounded in facts through satire and humour. His pieces prick the human soul and enlighten brains to accept what is wrong and for which people are responsible to correct. He registers his protest to purge the society.

In his column ‘Darje-i-Hiwaniat’ he points out that animals and birds belonging to different species share some qualities -- self-reliance and dignity. These qualities do not require high or low stature and physical strength. From a small ant to a sturdy elephant, all are endowed with self-reliance and dignity. They resort to resistance if anyone tires to hamper their activity, Ali Moeen writes.

“The heavenly creations might be pondering over to what scale has this so called human being gone down. Why has this human race become so senseless? Avarice, greed, poverty and inhumanness have swayed this mortal being. Some time I wish we launch a campaign to secure animals and birds in all forms,” the author comments.

Another thought -provoking column ‘ Fankaar Barai Farukht’ ( artist for sale) says that after Second World War, the rulers of France first of all shifted artists and writers to safe places. “In my view, they did not save artists and writers but saved France itself,” he says.

Being an artist or poet here is tantamount to inviting adversity and destitute.

“Enlisting deprivation, indignity, patience and sufferings will lead us to conclude that artists and authors are dangerous animals. They deserve to be caged in a zoo,” he writes.

An interesting piece on Urdu reports that by blindly following English culture, we lost our history, literature, social values, and our own identity. We could neither learn English nor could we master Urdu. Some 6,912 languages are being spoken in the world today. Over 25,000 languages have been declared ‘endangered’.

Every week we lose a language forever. About 27 regional languages in Pakistan are under global invasion. “At the time independence, we had got an opportunity to get rid of mental slavery but we did not know to become a nation,” Ali writes.

Spread over 317 pages, the book contains a treasure trove of deep insight from a visionary author. Anwar Masood in his foreword to the book says that after reading pieces of Ali Moeen, we are obliged to say the former thief was a pious person. It is a mirror to 68 years history of our country.

Raza Ali is quick to comment that people had termed poetry of Habib Jalib a fleeting thought that would die out with the passage of time. But Jalib many not live his life the way he is living it now.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2015

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