Hawzah News Agency- the works of the martyred Leader, Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, were displayed at a joint stall of the Velayat Foundation and Kowsar Publications at the 23rd Lucknow National Book Fair, where they were warmly received by visitors.
The stall offered a diverse collection of religious, historical, and intellectual works, providing an opportunity for audiences to familiarize themselves with various dimensions of Islamic teachings, Shia history, and Islamic thought. Among the books on display, works about the life and struggles of the martyred Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, the late Leader of the Islamic Revolution, held a special place.
The book "The 250-Year-Old Man," available in both Urdu and English, was among the standout works presented at the stall. Books such as "Cell Number 14" and "Beyond Prison, the Color of the Garden" also drew the attention of visitors.
These books, by addressing experiences of imprisonment, resilience in the face of hardship, hope, and freedom of thought, narrate parts of the life, struggles, and intellectual journey of the martyred Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei.
Alongside these works, a collection of books related to Islamic thought, religious rulings, Shia history, and issues of the Muslim world was also presented at the Velayat Foundation and Kowsar Publications stall, each offering a different perspective on Islamic teachings and the intellectual and cultural heritage of Muslims.
The book "Teaching Religious Rulings," presenting the religious rulings needed in daily life in simple and accessible language, was intended for audiences interested in learning about Islamic rulings. The book "Palestine" was dedicated to examining the history of the Palestinian issue and the views of the martyred Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, on the matter.
The book "Sadiq al-Muhammad (PBUH)" examines the life of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (PBUH), explaining his scientific standing, cultural activities, and the political and social conditions of his era.
The thematic diversity of these works—from children's books to materials suitable for adults—reflected the efforts of these institutions to meet the study needs of different audience groups.
Adel Faraz, a writer and activist in the field of Urdu literature, described the general atmosphere of the 23rd Lucknow National Book Fair as not particularly encouraging regarding the presence and display of Urdu-language works. He described the presence of institutions such as the Velayat Foundation, the Islamic Research and Publications Council, the Urdu Academy of Lucknow, and the Rakhta Institute as a glimmer of hope in the current circumstances, emphasizing the importance of these institutions' activities in preserving and promoting cultural and literary heritage.
Adel Faraz, referring to the activities of the Velayat Foundation and Kowsar Publications in publishing and promoting religious literature, assessed the role of these institutions in introducing and presenting important religious works. However, he stressed the need for greater use of modern promotional methods and effective book introduction techniques to expand their audience.
According to him, the diversity of books offered at the Velayat Foundation and Kowsar Publications stall—from children's works to books suitable for adults—was noteworthy, and works related to the martyred Grand Ayatollah Khamenei also drew special attention from visitors.
He also referred to the services of the Rakhta Institute in preserving and promoting Urdu literature, describing continuous attention to the language and literature as essential. In his view, in some of the institute's activities, the promotion of Hindi has gained prominence—a matter that, from his perspective, highlights the need for greater attention to the status of Urdu literature.
Adel Faraz, expressing concern about the state of Urdu book stalls at the fair, described the emptiness of these stalls in a city like Lucknow—which has a brilliant history in scientific, cultural, and literary fields—as a matter worthy of reflection. He emphasized the need to strengthen cultural activities, make collective efforts to protect Urdu's scientific and literary heritage, support publishers, and introduce works more effectively, citing the promotion of reading culture as a key factor in keeping this cultural heritage vibrant.
Overall, the 23rd Lucknow National Book Fair provided an opportunity to introduce diverse religious, historical, and cultural works, while also highlighting the challenges facing the publishing sector, particularly Urdu publishing. Addressing these challenges, supporting publishers, innovating in book introduction methods, and striving to preserve and promote scientific and literary heritage are among the necessities that can help strengthen the position of books and reading culture in society.
Your Comment