KARACHI: A literary event titled “Kalam-e-Shair ba Zaban-e-Shair” (The Poet’s Words in the Poet’s Voice) was organized at the Prof. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui Auditorium by the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, to pay tribute to the legendary poet and scholar Jon Elia.
The gathering aimed to rekindle students’ interest in poetry and literature while honoring Elia’s remarkable literary, intellectual, and philosophical legacy. The event was presided over by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah, Director ICCBS, with Firasat Rizvi, a noted literary personality, as the chief guest, and Prof. Dr. Fayyaz Vaid, senior poet and student of Jon Elia, as the guest of honor.
Senior journalist and poet Dr. Jafar Askari presented a literal recitation (taht-ul-lafz khwani) of Elia’s verses, captivating the audience with his expressive style.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Raza Shah said such literary events connect students with poetry, which reflects a nation’s collective consciousness. He emphasized that many great scientists, including Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan and Prof. Dr. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui, had a deep appreciation for poetry and literature. He announced that similar literary gatherings would continue to be held regularly to foster students’ intellectual and creative growth.
Firasat Rizvi described Jon Elia as a poet of immense intellectual depth, fluent in multiple languages including Hebrew, Persian, and Arabic. He noted that despite his vast knowledge, Elia’s poetry consciously avoids overt scholarly display — a stylistic humility that sets him apart from poets like Ghalib, Iqbal, and Josh.
Prof. Dr. Fayyaz Vaid called Jon Elia not only a great poet but also one of Pakistan’s foremost philosophers, saying his poetry reflects his era’s social and intellectual struggles. He encouraged science students to engage with literature to expand their creative and critical horizons.
The event drew an enthusiastic audience of teachers, students, and staff members, who warmly appreciated the readings and reflections on Jon Elia’s timeless poetry.
