Sufi Music and Poetry Captivate Audience at ILF

The 10th Islamabad Literature Festival (ILF) wrapped up on a high note, leaving a significant mark on its audience. This three-day event hosted more than 30 sessions, from panel discussions and book launches to mushairas and cultural performances. Celebrated writers, poets, intellectuals, and experts from both Pakistan and abroad gathered to exchange their insights and ideas.

The festival’s theme, "Words Change Mindsets," resonated throughout the diverse sessions. Arshad Saeed Husain, Managing Director of Oxford University Press Pakistan, highlighted literature’s role in fostering a more progressive and equitable society. The ILF celebrated the richness of modern literature, featuring book launches like Akbar in Wonderland by Umber Khairi, Mazahir o Mubahis by Najeeba Arif, and Toronto, Dubai, and Manchester by Shahid Siddiqui. Renowned critic Muneeza Shamsie commended the event for promoting dialogue and unity.

Najeeba Arif discussed literature’s power to shape perspectives, helping readers to view the world through others' eyes. The festival also delved into pressing issues, such as Pakistan’s education crisis, the importance of balanced content regulation, and the significance of free speech.

A Sufi night performance by Akbar Ali Khan closed the festival on a tranquil note, leaving the audience inspired. The ILF has solidified its reputation as a leading literary event in Pakistan, celebrating culture and the transformative influence of literature.