Poet Abeda Iqbal Azad remembered on her 12th death anniversary

ISLAMABAD: Friends and admirers paid tribute to journalist and author Abeda Iqbal Azad on her 12th death anniversary on April 20. Well-known in literary circles for her poetry and fiction, Abeda, who passed away in Karachi in 2012, left a lasting impact.

Born into a literary environment in Bangladesh to businessman and educationist Gholam Rabbani, Abeda honed her literary skills from an early age. She embarked on her career as a feature writer for Bangladesh Observer and Bangladesh Times.

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Abeda’s poetry, showcased in collections like “Aasman,” enraptured audiences with its profound emotion and poetic elegance. Her verses delved into themes of love, nature, and the human condition, providing comfort and motivation to readers. Particularly, her poem “Jirga” vehemently denounced honor killings, highlighting her unwavering dedication to feminist principles

In her capacity as a columnist, Abeda solidified her legacy as a literary icon. Bold and uncompromising, she leveraged her platform to spotlight the urgent issues confronting the nation, ranging from social inequalities to political malpractice.

Having obtained an MBBS degree from Dhaka, Abeda relocated to Karachi following her marriage to advertising executive Iqbal Azad Syed. Reflecting on Abeda’s notable contributions to literature and journalism, Urdu scholar Prof Sahar Ansari remarked that her writings clearly showcased a profound grasp of Pakistan’s cultural diversity.