Author describes how Palestinians have to take cover behind silence.

Byline: Shazia Hasan

KARACHI -- The three days of interesting, thought-provoking discussions, author meets, talks, readings, book launches, mushairas and musical performances at the Arts Council in the form of the second Adab Festival Pakistan concluded on Sunday evening with a promise of more literary programmes for the whole year.

In her keynote address at the concluding ceremony, Palestinian author Adania Shibli spoke about 'silence'. She talked about herself standing in a post office in the late 2000s quietly taking in her surroundings and goings on. Most people standing in line with her at the post office were Palestinians. Only the people at the desks were Israeli. 'Standing there in line, I silently rehearsed in my mind how to speak when it is my turn to ask for my package,' she said, adding that she was going to speak in English.

She said that she also watched a little girl on her side look at her in fear, which made her sad. She also saw a man wanting to empty his account but there was not enough money in the teller machine. 'But he doesn't understand that as he is told about it in Hebrew, which he doesn't understand. I knew Hebrew but I didn't help him as that would have me speak to him in Arabic, which would make me Palestinian, which in turn may jeopardise the services I expected to receive at the post office. So I took cover behind my silence,' she said.

Three-day Adab Festival concludes

'Silence is a phenomenon for every Palestinian in Palestine because once a Palestinian speaks in Arabic, they fear being discriminated against or even being attacked,' she added.

Author and dramatist Noorul Huda Shah said that Karachi was murdered but it was brought back to life the credit of which goes to Ameena Saiyid and Dr Asif Farrukhi, the founders of literary festivals here. 'We see so much life in political gatherings but that is something quite different. Real life can be witnessed at such gatherings where no one lies to you, where no one shows you green pastures or gives you false hopes and dreams,' she said.

Earlier, Ameena Saiyid, founder and director of the Adab Festival, thanked her partners, especially the Arts Council of Pakistan, while speaking about the importance of literary...