From Baku Correspondent

World Organization of Writers (WOW) is holding a roundtable on Promoting Azerbaijan Literature Globally on February 21 in Baku.

The Natavan club of the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union will host the roundtable organized by the World Organization of Writers (WOW) together with the Azerbaijan Literary Foundation on the topic “World Organization of Writers WOW. Integration of Azerbaijani literature into the world’s leading literary platforms.”

The event will be moderated by the director of the Azerbaijan Literary Foundation, Varis Yolchuyev. The round table speaker is the President of the World Writers Organization Margarita Al. The event will be attended by the first secretary of the Writers’ Union of Azerbaijan, Chingiz Abdullayev, deputy chairman of the Writers’ Union, chairman of the Azerbaijan Press Council Rashad Majid, secretary of international relations of the Writers’ Union Selim Babullaoglu, secretaries of the Writers’ Union Ilgar Fehmi, Elchin Husseinbeyli, representatives of the World Writers’ Organization, members of the Writers’ Union Azerbaijan, young authors, members of the ANU Literary Council, public organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as media representatives.

Margarita Al in her report will talk about the main goals of the World Writers’ Organization – uniting the creative efforts of the world’s writers in the interests of the future of the humanitarian sphere, ensuring the decisive role of culture, literature and moral values in maintaining stability in the world.

Idea of WOW was born in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is of particular importance for the World Writers’ Organization, since it was here that the idea of its creation was born. This initiative was proposed during the LIFFT festival in 2019, when Margarita Al and the famous writer Olzhas Suleimenov shared with the largest writers of Eurasia the idea of the urgent need to create a large-scale literary organization. In February 2023, at a meeting in Cairo, representatives of 17 countries signed a Memorandum of Intent to create the World Writers Organization. The organization now unites writers from 69 countries.

First Congress of WOW in April

On April 4-6, 2024, the first Congress of the World Organization of Writers will be held in Abuja, the capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, under the slogan: “We are people of one planet.” During the three working days of the Congress, the following will take place within its framework: the celebration of the XXV UNESCO World Poetry Day and the innovative business forum “Eurasia + Africa”, the VII World Literary Festival “WOW-LIFFT”, as well as the World Cultural and Educational Forum “Modern Problems of Humanitarian Modernization” “, the idea of which belongs to the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Co-Chairman of the General Council of the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly Alexandra Ochirova.

The host party is the Pan-African Writers Association “PAWA”, headed by the Gold Laureate of the VI Open Eurasian Literary Festival of LIffT festivals, Dr. Wale Okediran.

Information support for the Congress events is provided by the Global Cooperation of Media, which has entered into a cooperation agreement with WOW, RIA Novosti, as well as a number of leading media outlets in Egypt, India, Arab countries and CIS countries.

Also read: The World Organization of Writers (WOW) – From Baku to Abuja across Cairo and Moscow

The World Writers’ Organization was supported by outstanding writers of the world, video greetings were sent by such poets as the legendary poet from Korea – Ko Eun and the great writer of the world from Kazakhstan – Olzhas Suleimenov, greetings are also planned from the Nigerian Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and other famous poets and writers.

The Nigerian partners of the Congress are working to ensure the participation of high-ranking government officials, including the President of the country, as well as representatives of some ministries of Nigeria, and distinguished guests from around the world. Among the declared collective participants of WOW events are the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly, the Pan-African Writers Association and other organizations advocating the preservation of traditional values, the establishment of a multipolar world order based on mutual respect, trust and beneficial economic cooperation.

Also read: We are the World Organization of Writers “WOW”: This is our Award!

The purpose of the visit of the leadership of the World Writers’ Organization to Baku is to establish cooperation with Azerbaijani writers, strengthen the role of Azerbaijan in the development of world cultural relations and ensure worthy representation of Azerbaijani literature on the world’s largest literary platforms.

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The post Roundtable on Promoting Azerbaijan Literature Globally first appeared on Sindh Courier.

By Ashraf Aboul Yazid 

World Organization of Writers “WOW”, which was officially registered on December 25, 2023 and the founders of which are the International Union of Non-Governmental Organizations “Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly”, as well as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, poet Alexandra Vasilyevna Ochirova and the Chairperson of the Literary Council of the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly, poetess Margarita Al, aims to unite the creative efforts of writers from all over the world, their social potentials in the fight for the future of the global humanitarian sphere, in which culture, literature and traditional spiritual values should play a key role in ensuring peace and stability on the planet.

The Republic of Azerbaijan and the city of Baku became the cradle of the very idea of this large-scale association of writers – in 2019, at the literary forum “Creating the image of the Future Man and the Man of the Future in Literature,” the authors and moderators of which were Olzhas Suleimenov and Margarita Al, it was first proposed to the participating writers from 52 countries of the world. Then, on February 2, 2023, in Egypt, writers representing 17 countries, with the participation of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador A.V. Ochirova, signed the Memorandum of the World Writers Organization and decided to determine the location of the headquarters of the GP in Moscow.

To date, writers from 69 countries have expressed their readiness to become members of the WOW, timing the ceremony of their entry into WOW to coincide with the opening of the first Congress of this international non-governmental organization. This serves as an important signal to the entire global literary community that the relevance and significance of the World Writers Organization is gaining strength and is opening new horizons in the development of the international humanitarian sphere. The focus of the GP on supporting young talented authors, deepening ties between literary communities of countries and continents, a system of rewards and promotion of literary talents, including new prestigious literary awards, will strengthen the spiritual, cultural and intellectual potential of civil society in the world.

Also read: World Organization of Writers (WOW) holds Conference

On April 4-6, 2024, the first Congress of the World Writers Organization will be held in Abuja, the capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, under the slogan: “We are people of one planet.” During the three working days of the Congress, the VII World Literary Festival “WOW-LIFFT”, the World Cultural and Educational Forum “Modern Problems of Humanitarian Modernization”, the celebration of the XXV UNESCO World Poetry Day and the innovative business forum “Eurasia + Africa” will be held on its margins.

The host party is the Pan-African Writers Association “PAWA”, headed by the Gold Laureate of the VI Open Eurasian Literary Festival of LiffT Festivals, Dr. Wale Okediran.

Information support for the Congress events is provided by the Global Cooperation of Media, which has entered into a cooperation agreement with WOW, RIA Novosti, as well as a number of leading media outlets in Egypt, India, Arab countries and CIS countries.

The World Writers’ Organization was supported by outstanding writers of the world, video greetings were sent by such poets as the legendary poet from Korea – Ko Eun and the great writer of the world from Kazakhstan – Olzhas Suleimenov, greetings are also planned from the Nigerian Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and other famous poets and writers.

The Nigerian partners of the Congress are working to ensure the participation of high-ranking government officials, including the President of the country, as well as representatives of some ministries of Nigeria, and distinguished guests from around the world. Among the declared collective participants of the GP events are the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly, the Pan-African Writers Association and other organizations advocating the preservation of traditional values, the establishment of a multipolar world order based on mutual respect, trust and beneficial economic cooperation.

In preparation for the first Congress of the World Writers’ Organization, proposals are being formed – a sponsorship package – for potential partners and sponsors of events that are preparing in Nigeria a new independent international humanitarian platform for dialogue, including between culture and business.

We will be happy to discuss with you the prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation and various forms of interaction. Your support will become an essential element of the new dynamics of development of world cultural relations, strengthening interethnic relations and uniting creative people and organizations around the world.

Published under the International Cooperation Protocol with Middle East Business | Life Magazine 

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Ashraf Aboul-Yazid is a renowned Egyptian poet, journalist, novelist, travelogue writer and translator. He is author of around three dozen books and Editor-in-Chief of Silk Road Literature Series. 

The post The World Organization of Writers (WOW) – From Baku to Abuja across Cairo and Moscow first appeared on Sindh Courier.

By Jasjit Ahluwalia

In his article Guru Nanak’s Travel an appraisal of Baku Visit, Gurvinder Singh Chohan has concluded that Guru Nanak did visit Baku because of the information in Memoirs of Zehir-ED-Din Mohammed Babur published by Oxford Press, 1921 and Baku- and eventful history and Zindgan-E-Shah Ismail-E-aval (Persian) and inscription of commencing Verse of Guru Nanak found at two different places. According to him, the dates of these inscriptions are not available. Therefore, he had requested SGPC to have a research delegation sent to Baku for proper research. Unfortunately no such delegation of research scholars has been sent to Baku for locating contemporary evidence which could confirm that Guru Ji and Bhai Mardana had actually visited Baku and may have gone to Atishgah temple which is situated in Surakhani about 20 km from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

The persons, who got the inscriptions written in Temple of Fire, can be traders from Sindh or Multan who had faith in the teachings of Guru Nanak

Dr. PS Walia of Mohali had gone to Baku for attending the conference of Dermatologist. During his visit he visited Atishgah and took some photographs highlighting the inscription in Punjabi language in Gurmukhi script. He also saw a Hindu temple where in Lord Shiva as Natraj is depicted and also saw the burning flame which depicts Goddess Jawalaji.

Also read: Sikhs on the Silk Road

For doing research which could confirm the visit of Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana to Atishgah following factual background would be relevant for the scholars.

Empire of Ismail-I

Shah Ismail-I was the founder of the Safavid Dynasty and ruled from 1501 to 1524. His empire consisted of present day Iran, Azerbaijan Republic, Armenia, most of Georgia, the North Caucasus, Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan, as well as parts of modern day Syria, Turkey, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. He was responsible for making Shia Islam as state religion.

During Guru Nanak’s visit to Middle-East, Ismail-I was the Shah of Iran

Ismail’s greatest legacy was establishing an empire which lasted over 200 years is capital was Tabriz. Thus it is clear, that, during Guru Nanak’s visit to Middle-East, Ismail-I was the Shah of Iran. According to Dr. Devinder Singh Chahal, Guru Nanak was in Middle-East for about 11 years (1511 and 1521). According to Dr. Dalvinder Singh Grewal, Guru Nanak had visited Iran thrice, first time while going from Karachi to Aden, he visited Bushahr Bander, second time when going from Madina to Baghdad, and he visited Basra and third time after returning from Turkey and beyond when he visited Tabriz. If Guru Nanak had visited Tabriz which is capital of East Azerbaijan province he must have visited Atishgah because of its importance to the travelers coming from Multan and Sindh.

Silk Road

The great Silk Roads bringing together two different Worlds-East and West, could not but leave a trace in the history of political, economic and cultural development of the countries through which it passed. Travelers, merchants and missionaries exchanged cultural, scientific, educational and spiritual values. Azerbaijan was on the path of the roads and made a significant contribution to the development of global transit network. The goods and products of Azerbaijani towns and settlements spread along with the Silk Roads with great success. Bilateral lands and sea routes linked Azerbaijan with China, Syria, India, Asia Minor, Iran, Egypt, Russia, the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa and Europe.

Guru Nanak had visited Iran thrice, first time while going from Karachi to Aden, he visited Bushahr Bander, second time when going from Madina to Baghdad, and he visited Basra and third time after returning from Turkey and beyond when he visited Tabriz.

The British used to lay their routes to India via Azerbaijan, Indian merchants traded in spices and cashmere fabrics with Baku and Shahmakhi. For this reason, actually one of the medieval caravan serias in Baku has the name of the Indian origin, “Multani”. Baku used to serve as a transit point for goods passing from China and India through the Black sea through Constantinople. Thus considering the importance of Baku in Azerbaijan and location of Atishgah temple, the possibility of Guru Nanak visiting Azerbaijan during the reign of Ismail-I is great.

Importance of Atishgah of Baku

The Baku Atishgah, often called the “Fire Temple of Baku” is a castle like religious temple in Surakhani town, a suburb in Baku, Azerbaijan. Based on Persian inscription, the temple was used as a Hindu, Sikh and Zoroastrian place of worship. “Atish” is a Persian word for fire. The pentagonal complex, which has a courtyard surrounded by cells for monks and a tetra pillar-altar in the middle, was built during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was abandoned in the late 19th century, probably due to dwindling of the Indian population in the area. The natural eternal flame went out in 1969, after a century of exploitation of petroleum and gas in the area, but is now lit by gas piped from the nearby city. The Baku Atishgah was a pilgrimage and philosophical center of Zoroastrians from North-Western Indian sub-continent, who were involved in trade with Caspian area via the famous “Grand Trunk Road”. The complex was turned into a museum in 1975. The annual number of visitors to the museum is 15000 plus.

Two inscriptions in Punjabi in Gurmukhi script

In the present form Atishgah Temple was built during 17th and 18th centuries. In the 2 inscription in Punjabi in Gurmukhi script after the “Mool-Mantra” or commencing verse, in first inscription in 5th,6th and 7th lines, it is mentioned, “Bava Jadusaha, whose pupil was Bava Bamkesaha, whose pupil was__ rasha built a sacred place” in the second inscription, in the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th lines, it is mentioned “there was Bava (Ta) gadasa, Bamgewale resident, whose disciple was melarama further whose disciple was kartarama udasi”. This sacred place called Jawalaji was built.

The research is required to be done for finding out who were the travelers from Sindh and Multan trading with Azerbaijan and beyond using Multani caravan sirai in Baku

A research is required to be done for finding out the names of the persons who had got the inscriptions written probably in the beginning of 17th century. The concerned persons can be traders from Sindh or Multan who had faith in the teachings of Guru Nanak and were not satisfied with the worship of Jawalaji Goddess. Therefore research is required to be done for finding out who were the travelers from Sindh and Multan trading with Azerbaijan and beyond using Multani caravan sirai in Baku. As large number of Indians were living around Atishgah temple or in Baku proper, the possibility of some evidence being available in Azerbaijani language or Persian language could not be ruled out.

Also read: Nanakpanthi Saints of Sindh

The Sikh disciples who were responsible for the two inscriptions in Punjabi in Gurmukhi script must have done so in early 17th century that is less than 100 years after Guru Nanak had left Baku for India. The question why Guru Nanak visited Azerbaijan becomes clear from the fact that Azerbaijan was part of the Iranian empire of Ismail-I and some parts of present day Pakistan were also part of his empire. In the Middle-East Guru Nanak had interacted with Suni population, Sufis and his visit to Iranian empire must have been to interact with Shia population. His focus on Atishgah shows that he wanted to tell the worshipers of fire that God is creator of Universe and his attributes mentioned in Mool-Mantra were required to be adopted by human beings so that they become truthful that is ‘Sachiar’.

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Courtesy: Sikh Net (Posted on August 8, 2019)

The post Guru Nanak’s Visit to Azerbaijan in first decade of 16th Century first appeared on Sindh Courier.

By Eldar Akhadov

On September 17, a meeting was held at the Russian House with the famous Egyptian poet and writer Ashraf Aboul-Yazid and Co-Chairman of the Literary Council of the Assembly of Peoples of Eurasia (ANE), honorary member of the Writers’ Union of Azerbaijan, Russian writer Eldar Akhadov.

Ashraf Aboul-Yazid is the founder of the Silk Road literary series and the author of the encyclopedia on the Silk Road countries published by the Library of Alexandria. He is the president of Asia Journalist Association, the winner of the Korean Manhae Grand Prize in Literature and the golden laureate of the Eurasia Festivals Festival LiFFt, which was held last year in Istanbul.

Ashraf’s poems and novels have been translated into all major languages of the world, and now into Russian. He is also the first translator of the poetry of the classic Tatar literature Gabdulla Tukaybinto Arabic, including such works as “Shurale” and “Goat and Sheep”.

Ashraf Aboul-Yazid presented his first book in Russian, “A Street in Cairo”, translated by Eldar Akhadov and published in “the Silk Road Literature Series “.

Within the framework of the event, a teleconference was held with the head of the Rossotrudnichestvo representative office in Egypt (Cairo) Marat Gatin and a member of the General Council of the Assembly of Peoples of Eurasia, the Head of the International Literary Movement LiFFt Margarita Almukhametova (Margarita Al). Those present were able to hear poems performed by the author and translator and ask the poets questions about their work. After the event, everyone received autographed books by both writers.

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The post Baku: Creative Meeting with Egyptian Scholar Ashraf Aboul-Yazid first appeared on Sindh Courier.