ANKARA, 17 October 2015: Pakistan-Turkey
cultural collaboration reaches a new milestone as the two countries celebrate
the 100 years of Urdu in Turkey. About 100 years ago, formal teaching of Urdu language
and literature commenced at “Darul Funoon” (Edebiyat
Faculty) at Istanbul University in 1915.
As part of celebrations of ‘100 Years of
Teaching of Urdu in Turkey,’ the Istanbul University, in collaboration with Istanbul
Metropolitan Municipality, organized an International Symposium, titled “Turkey
and South Asian Muslims: New Perspectives from Past to Present” from 12-14
October 2015. Over 100 prominent Urdu scholars and literary figures from Pakistan,
Turkey and various parts of the world attended the event. Research papers
presented during the Symposium reviewed the evolution of Urdu studies in Turkey
over the past 100 years, highlighted the services of Turkish, Pakistani and
other scholars for this cause, and recommended a range of measures for the
further promotion of Urdu in Turkey and worldwide.
Rector of Istanbul University, Prof. Dr. Mahmut
Ak, was the chief guest at the opening ceremony. Ambassador of Pakistan to
Turkey Sohail Mahmood attended as the chief guest at the concluding session.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador
Sohail Mahmood paid rich tributes to Prof. Dr. Halil Toker, Chairman of
Istanbul University’s Urdu Department, and overall organizer of the International
Symposium, for his enormous literary contributions and life-long dedication to
the promotion of Urdu in Turkey. In a career spanning over 30 years, Prof.
Halil Toker has contributed more than 30 books and over 200 research articles.
Ambassador Sohail informed the
participants that as part of these celebrations in Pakistan, the Government of
Pakistan has issued a commemorative postage stamp on 12 October 2015,
coinciding with the dates of the Symposium. He also highlighted various steps
being taken for the advancement of Urdu studies in Turkey. In this context,
Urdu Departments in Ankara University, Istanbul University, and Seljuk
University (Konya) shall be further strengthened by providing more books and
reading materials, facilitating student exchanges, and bringing scholars from
Pakistan.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood concluded that
Urdu language served as an eternal bond between Pakistan and Turkey. He
expressed his belief that Urdu studies would continue to flourish in Turkey and
remain pivotal in bringing the two nations even closer.
More
photographs from the link https://goo.gl/0nL0VL
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