KARACHI: A hundred and nine cities around the world are celebrating Faiz's Centenary this year. The largest celebration in Karachi, called Jashn-e-Faiz, will be held this Sunday on April 17 at the KMC Sports Complex, organised by the Citizens For Democracy (CFD).

Held in collaboration with the National Academy of Performing Arts, the Faiz Centenary Committee and CDGK, Karachi - the event is part of Faiz's Centenary celebrations being held across the country.

The purpose of Jashn-e-Faiz, which is a cultural mega family event, is to reach out to citizens of Karachi on a larger scale and the rest of the country through open dialogue.

Earlier this year, CFD has held references for Governor Salman Taseer and Federal Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti. “CFD is now holding a major public event to assert the space for progressive, non-violent, democratic ideas,” says Farieha Aziz, a journalist and member of CFD.

The event which consists of an art show, theatre performances, seminars, screening of documentary films, folk dances, a concert (with performances by Strings, Laal, Shehzad Roy and Ali Azmat) and a mushaira, "may not be a protest, but it is a bid to reclaim space, and in the most constructive way possible. It is important, if not crucial, for there to be inclusive events such as these in the environment of intolerance” says Naveen Naqvi, founder of Gawahi and member of CFD.

Activist and journalist Beena Sarwer, who is also one of the founding members of CFD, said that Jashn-e-Faiz is “not just about celebrating poetry, art, and culture, or about Faiz as a poet who is so popular all over Pakistan, India and around the world, but it is more about what Faiz stood for - which is what CFD stands for. That is, progressive politics, a humane, peaceful society, standing against exploitation and violence.”

This event yearns to initiate a culture of open dialogue, a shared ideology, tolerance, spirit of union and fear-less citizenry. The organisers expect people from all walks of life and social classes to attend Jashn-e-Faiz. Attendees can choose from theatre performances of Danka Art to mushairas by country’s famous poets. “I think that such events should take place regularly in Karachi where people can come with their families to not only be entertained but to take back social messages and to provoke a dialogue and debate,” says Sheema Kermani, a performing artist who is also a member of CFD.

Kiran Nazish is a freelance journalist.