HAJIN: Halqa Adab Sonawari (HAS), in collaboration with Wahab Cultural Society and under the patronage of Adabi Markaz Kamraz, organised a function at MD Memorial School on Saturday to mark International Mother Language Day, observed annually on February 21 to promote education in the mother tongue.
The programme was presided over by Ghulam Nabi Dar. Other dignitaries on the praesidium included Ali Mohammad Nishtar, Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh and Mohammad Ashraf Malla.
HAS President Shakir Shafi, Dr Riyaz-ul-Hassan, Majeed Majazi, Sagar Sarfaraz, Dr Nisar-ul-Kareem, and Fayaz Ahmad Dar, along with senior members of HAS, attended the event.
In his welcome address, Shakir Shafi highlighted the history and significance of International Mother Language Day, stressing the need to preserve indigenous languages, particularly Kashmiri, for future generations. He said Kashmiri language and literature should be promoted and introduced to wider audiences through contemporary literary platforms.
Speaking on the occasion, Ali Mohammad Nishtar underlined the importance of linguistic diversity and called for collective efforts to safeguard mother tongues in a rapidly globalising world.
Citing a UNESCO report, he said several languages were disappearing every month and urged stakeholders to take concrete steps for the preservation of native languages.
Other speakers said mother tongues form the backbone of cultural identity and play a vital role in shaping societies, and appealed to scholars, writers and students to contribute towards the promotion, protection and development of the Kashmiri language and literature.
Several students presented essays on the occasion. A Mehfil-e-Naat was held at the conclusion of the programme, in which students and HAS members recited Naat in praise of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The proceedings of the programme were conducted by Dr Riyaz-ul-Hassan.