World Urdu Encyclopedia launched

ISLAMABAD, World Urdu Encyclopedia’ a research work Yasser Jawad, was launched here ‘at the National Language Authority on Wednesday.

Addressing at the launching ceremony, International Islamic University (IIU) Rector Professor Fateh Mohammad Malik said Yasser Jawad deserved the appreciation for completing a truly momentous work of research.

“In fact he has left us wondering how a lone person was able to complete an undertaking shunned by even official organisations,” said the IIU Rector.

Guest of honour, Ashfaq Saleem Mirza, reciprocated the sentiments of Professor Malik, describing the Urdu encyclopedia as “a scholarly work done with devotion and without a blemish”.

National Language Authority Chairman Iftikhar Arif said that entries in even authentic works such as Encyclopedia Britannica have to be constantly amended. Mr Jawad’s present work is an improvement over the earlier editions.

Mr Jawad has also added new entries, such as a biographical note on the celebrated squash player Jahangir Khan.

It is interesting to note that the Urdu language finds cursory mention in the Encyclopedia Britannica.

Mr Arif also mentioned several omissions of prominent Urdu writers, such as Munshi Prem Chand, Allama Iqbal or Faiz Ahmad Faiz, which are not found in the Encyclopedia Britannica.

Another speaker, Dr Nazir Mahmud, stressed that the creative, literary efforts of young writ ers needed to be recognised. Dr Mahmud stated: “It is in this spirit that we seek honest appreciation for Mr Jawad’s compilation, because he has also emerged as a competent translator, which is a distinctive art of writing.” Dr Mahmud expressed the hope that, with the translation accomplished by Mr Jawad, the difficult job of translation would receive a fillip.