ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture has stressed upon member states of ICESCO (Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) the usage of both Traditional and Modern tools including A I to aware the masses particularly the young lot of the member states for revitalizing their traditions, Heritage and culture. He further said that art and culture could also play a vital role in countering extremism and educating the world about the peaceful and rich culture including the Islamic culture.
The minister expressed these views while addressing the 12th Conference of Culture Ministers of ICESCO Conference in Doha on Tuesday. During his address, he proposed various recommendations that might fill some hidden gaps in its fantastic list of initiatives.
Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Jasim Al Thani, host and Culture Minister of Qatar, Dr Salim M AlMalik, Director General ICESCO, Excellencies, delegates, and a large number of officials were also present on the occasion.
Jamal Shah also congratulated the host country Qatar and the Director General, ICESCO for holding the significant 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture Ministers and said that Doha being a fine example of a Modern Cultural Capital has beautifully synthesized Tradition or Heritage with Modernity and innovation. He said that the robust Cultural infrastructure, aesthetic master plan, and classy Architecture of the capital city spoke volumes about the vision of a lover of the land, Life, and people of Qatar.
While talking about his recommendations, the minister proposed a cultural Caravan of Tradition bearers of all member states would interact with the people in each country with other member states about the creative and transformative works of art and crafts.
ICESCO Conference’s Role in Countering Extremism
The Minister also suggested that a similar initiative should be taken to engage youth and children of all member countries along with arranging leadership camps and events of talent hunts to educate and empower youth as future leaders. He said that teaching Calligraphy in Madaris to infuse aesthetics among students of religious seminaries to combat religious intolerance and extremism would be a great achievement for all. He also proposed the creation of Islamic Cultural Monuments in each capital of the member states.
Based on Surat-e-Feel and Surat-e-Reman, huge Islamic public monuments be created in all Capital Cities of member countries, using all available Traditional and Modern tools including A I, Vital Reality, holograms etc, the minister said adding that it would attract an encouraging number of visitors.
Jalam Shah also recommended the arts and Craftwork of Palestinian and Kashmiri Artists should be encouraged and promoted as an expression of Solidarity.
Reviewing Historical Sites
The minister lamented that unfortunately, his predecessors were unable to enlist even a single new Cultural site to ICESCO’s list of heritage despite being the proud Custodians of an extremely enviable Cultural Heritage to refresh the 9500 years old heritage initiated from Mehergarh followed by Zharrapa, Mohenjo-Daro, and Gandhara, alongside the ancient Egyptian and Sumerian Civilizations.
“Let me explain that Culture has the ability to help the individual to engage in a very intimate relationship with his/her surroundings which is both creative and critical to every individual to embark upon a journey of intimate information, clarity, critical engagement, and informed decision making”, he added.
“Art and Culture turns an individual into a productive contributor and agent of change, interested in sharing and turning his/her surroundings into a more comfortable place for all. The great Pashto Mystic poet Rehman Baba says, ‘Plant flowers so your land becomes a garden, do no sow thorns they will hurt your own feet’,. Creating unselfish, brave, generous, and informed decision makers are the flowers and generous souls Rehman Baba refers to and we need such contributors in big numbers”, the minister maintained.
