Celebrating Unity in Diversity: Hafeez Jalandhari's Tribute to Shri Ram

By New Age Islam Staff Writer 15 October 2024 A Reflection on the Lessons of Respect and Shared Values in a Multicultural Society Main Points: 1. Hafeez Jalandhari’s Unlikely Admiration: The article explores how Hafeez Jalandhari, a prominent Muslim poet, composed verses in honor of Hindu deities, emphasizing his respect for their virtues and teachings. 2. The Significance of Dussehra: With the backdrop of Dussehra, the poem serves as a reminder of the universal values of bravery, truth, and respect that transcend religious boundaries. 3. Lessons for Young Generations: Hafeez aimed to impart moral lessons from Hindu epics to Muslim children, promoting the idea that wisdom can be gleaned from various traditions. 4. Promoting Dialogue and Understanding: The article underscores the importance of embracing diversity, fostering dialogue, and celebrating shared values to build a more inclusive society. ------- The following article is an English translation of an Urdu piece written by Saqib Saleem, which has also been published on newageislam.com. The poem presented here is a translation of the original Urdu poem. In Praise of Shri Ram by Hafeez Jalandhari By Saqib Saleem If I were to tell you that Hafeez Jalandhari, the composer of Pakistan's national anthem, the creator of "Shahnama Islam," a leader of the Muslim League, and a Hafiz of the Quran, has written praises for Hindu deities, you would surely call me crazy—perhaps even a madman. And there’s nothing wrong in that. In today's era, when Muslims are often discouraged from entering certain spaces, and where enmity based on the names of temples and mosques is politicized, a poem praising Shri Ram from the pen of a devout Muslim like Hafeez may indeed appear as a strange contradiction. The truth is that Hafeez wrote verses in honour of Shri Ram, Shri Krishna, Mata Ganga, Shouji, and other Hindu deities that perhaps no ordinary Hindu could compose. His ability to celebrate the values and virtues embodied in these figures reflects not only his artistic talent but also a profound respect for the rich tapestry of cultural and spiritual heritage that encompasses both Hinduism and Islam. Today is Dussehra, the day of Ram. So, would it not be appropriate to extend our congratulations on this occasion with a poem written by Hafeez for Dussehra? The grandeur with which he describes the battle between Ram and Ravan clearly reflects his respect for Shri Ram. He writes: "That one who has ten heads, His name was Ravan. He was the king of Lanka, An enemy of Ram Chandra. Standing there is another; He was the son of Ravan, He was also mighty, But fate was against him. If he had any sense, why would he fight Ram Chandra? This tyrant, seeing his own strength, why would he be so arrogant?" In fact, this poem was originally written for young children. The important thing is that Hafeez wanted to impart lessons learned from Ram Chandra to Muslim children. He had no hesitation in suggesting that Muslim children could learn truth and bravery from the Ramayana. The respect for Shri Ram is evident, a lesson he sought to teach future generations. The Entire Poem, Titled "Dussehra," Goes Like This: "For several days, the fair of Ram Leela has been set up, The arena gathers every evening for the Leela. Today is the final day of preparations, To speak honestly, today is the essence of this fair. Stalls have been set up outside the city, Merchants have adorned their shops splendidly. Toy vendors, vendors of sweets, Half the town has come to sell their wares. Afternoon has arrived, and the fair is gaining strength, The sounds of the fair echo from afar. Many people who have come from villages sing, Joyfully moving around, they play the ghungroo. People come in droves, a great throng, This fair of Dussehra, a river of humanity flows. Someone has a girl with them, someone has a boy, There’s a fear of losing in the crowd as well. Some walk on foot; some ride horses, Many landlords have arrived on the backs of elephants. In the field stands a very tall and fat effigy, Another is beside it, somewhat shorter. These effigies have been made by the people of bamboo and paper, Standing as if they have come to fight in the field. That one who has ten heads, His name was Ravan. He was the king of Lanka, An enemy of Ram Chandra. Standing there is another; He was the son of Ravan, He was also mighty, But fate was against him. If he had any sense, why would he fight Ram Chandra? This tyrant, seeing his own strength, why would he be so arrogant? The Ramayana writes of the state of the attack on Lanka, The destruction of Ravan was the result of this battle. To this day, the world celebrates the joy of this victory, Every year, the spectacle of the battle is shown to all. Sita, Ram Chandra, and Lakshman will soon arrive, These are the effigies made of paper, they move beautifully. They will light a fire and burn them down, On Dussehra, they will turn to ashes and be obliterated. When the fire is lit, both will explode into sparks, They will be afraid, and each will charge at the other." (End of the Article) (Representative Photo from File) ------ Conclusion: Lessons for Modern Society Hafeez Jalandhari’s poetry is a remarkable example of how art and literature can transcend religious and cultural boundaries. His respect for Shri Ram and the values embodied in Hindu epics serve as a reminder that admiration and reverence for different traditions can coexist within a single identity. In an age where polarization often dominates conversations between communities, his work encourages us to reflect on the lessons of empathy, understanding, and shared humanity. 1. Embrace Diversity: Just as Hafeez celebrated Hindu deities, people today should recognize and appreciate the diverse cultures and religions around them. Embracing diversity fosters unity and enriches societies. 2. Focus on Shared Values: At the heart of many religious traditions are universal values like truth, bravery, compassion, and justice. By focusing on these shared values, individuals from different backgrounds can find common ground and build mutual respect. 3. Educate Future Generations: Hafeez aimed to teach young Muslim children lessons from the Ramayana. Similarly, educating children about different cultures and religions can cultivate tolerance and understanding, preparing them to navigate a diverse world. 4. Promote Dialogue: Open dialogue between communities can dispel misconceptions and foster friendships. Hafeez's willingness to write about Hindu deities exemplifies the importance of dialogue in bridging divides. In a world that often highlights differences, Hafeez Jalandhari’s tribute to Shri Ram serves as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the beauty found in harmony and respect. His work inspires us to celebrate our shared humanity, regardless of religious or cultural backgrounds. Let us learn from his example, fostering an environment where respect and admiration flourish, paving the way for a more inclusive and harmonious society. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/celebrating-unity-diversity-hafeez-jalandhari-ram/d/133440 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism