Afzal Shauq ..THE MAN BEHIND THE VOICE OF PEACE . Katherine MacDonald believes

[christy john]

Not only did I become interested in Afzal Shauq's writing, I became interested in the man behind the ideals. I wanted to know what his inspirations were, who aspired him to write? I learned a little of his family life, and home life. Upon interviewing him, I found that he is a well-traveled, intelligent being, which leaves a person intrigued by his accomplishments and goals.

Katherine MacDonald: "Where were you born?

Afzal Shauq: "I was born in the highlands of Pashtun region, between Pakistan and Afghanistan named Tandwani, Chautair Ziarat. A valley where the juniper tree forest is attracting the worldwide tourists."

Katherine MacDonald: "Where did you earn your degrees?"

Afzal Shauq: "I did my master degree in Sociology from state of Balochistan University and also completed another master in demography from Cairo demographic Centre CDC Cairo Egypt."

Katherine MacDonald: "How long have you been writing?"

Afzal Shauq: "I did my first poem/ghazal in 1975 while I was student of college."

Katherine MacDonald: "Have you ever had anything published?"

Afzal Shauq: "Yes, I have published 6 books … two poetry books, one novel and three travelogues. All of them are in Pashto/Afghani language but as you know, my whole poetry has been translated into English under the name TWIST OF FATES. As well in Chinese MING YUN DE ZHUA ZHE…. The novel is on the way to be published by my dear friend Alley Boling, who also published my first book of poetry."

Katherine MacDonald: "Do you have any children?"

Afzal Shauq: "Yes, I have five children, four boys and one girl. They are; Aziz Yar Khan, Ulus Yar Khan (a known international pop singer), Hikmat Yar Khan , Qam Yar Khan and my sweet daughter Breshna ..(Hadeel Breshna Afzal Khan… Sakani Hadeel)"

Katherine MacDonald: "Do any of your children follow in your footsteps to become a writer?"

Afzal Shauq: "No, none of them so far but Ulus Yar khan is taking an acute interest in studying literary books. He is also a well know pop singer in Pashto, Urdu and little bit in Arabic and English too. So he does have the mind of the creative."

Katherine MacDonald: "What inspires you mostly to write poetry?"

Afzal Shauq: "I had questions in my mind since boyhood, about mankind. Also, I have a heartfelt desire of spreading love, and hope of inciting peace all over the world." And thanks God, I am succeeded enough touch the hearts of human beings favourably about my dream of peace to fulfill.. that’s why you being a good Canadian poetess friend are beside and hundreds of other literary fellows are supporting me to step ahead with their courageous love feelings. I am sure that the love based peace initiated by me and you and even our hundreds of other worldwide poetry and art friends will play a good role to medicate the ailing society soon."

Katherine MacDonald: "Who are you inspirations for writing?"

Afzal Shauq: "There are many writers that inspire me, in different languages, but let me add your name (Katherine Macdonald) as a very much committed and peace loving poetess. As my friends and favourites, I include Alley Boling, Liuli, Melissa lundeen, Shana Wirtz , Kayla Robison etc whose poetry inspire to push me to write heart catchy poems to hit the cause of love based peace. In my own language Pashto, I am inspired from Ghani Khan, Kazim Khan Sheida as poets in seniors / Sohail Jaffar, Syeda Haseena Gul and Pir Mohammad Karwan in youngsters, while Saaduddin Shpoon as a best Pashto novelist. I am inspired by all of these poets and writers who talk about the prosperity of life and omit new ideas."

Katherine MacDonald: "Do you think cultural values impact your writing?"

Afzal Shauq: "Sure, some of my poetry is impacted by my culture, but I am basically an international tourist and have been a part of different cultures during my traveling. I believe in humanity … and wish if this is our culture all around the world and we the children of Eve and Adam behave with each other like true humankinds… I don’t differentiate any one from others… We belong to an human species and we have to be with each other if truly willing to be called human beings."

Katherine MacDonald: "What are your views on War?"

Afzal Shauq: "I believe that cunning politics divides men into races, regions, color, sects and groups using hypocrisy and deceit, paving way for wars. The only defence against this conspiracy men can adhere to, is the weapon of love. Men parted from each other, goaded by political slogans, can be brought closer, by bonding them with love. Peace and prosperity of mankind is out of question without cultivation of love in all hearts." War is not the solution to ensure peace but…a source to destroy and demolish the world…. as we see all around in the present brutal era which is actually war effected."

Katherine MacDonald: "What do you think readers feel most about your writing?"

Afzal Shauq: "It could probably be the originality of my words that impressed the hearts of my readers. I write only what I feel, not considering the demand of the poetic language and trends of the day. I pour my heart on paper with complete sincerity. My poems are reflections of my heart, in a simple narration. The force lies in the originality of themes rather than paraphernalia of poetic language."

Katherine MacDonald: "What is one important message you would like to get across to your readers?"

Afzal Shauq: "I think that those who soar high in scientific and economic progress can bring peace to the world by extending a proposal of friendship to those who lag behind. Wars can win the high ups, huge territories and resources, but all would end up in dust if wars continue and a rat race for rule persists. Occupy hearts and not lands. Win love not will. Conquer souls not resources. To save humanity is far better than saving rule."

Katherine MacDonald: "Have you had any experience traveling?"

Afzal Shauq: "I feel I am more of a traveler then a poet. I learned much from my traveling observations and it has effects on my thoughts and feelings even. That’s why my ideas expressed in poetry are being commonly generalized by critics as 'universal'. I posed one question to you, also covered in your detailed essay about me.. 'What are those factors making the mankind different then each other?' Well, after traveling a lot, I reached the answer … and that’s the only egoistic conflict between them.. nothing else . Because I found every where that people have the same biological needs but what makes me crazy, is the hate feelings between them for nothing.. and you know all these differences have been made by the bloody politicians and so called leaders of the world who play with being true evils…any way, I can say here with big words that I got a lot from traveling and my personality being a cultural hybrid is really appreciated to the readers and I am getting a hot positive response from them because I speak love, ask for to be in peace and see them smiling at each other."

Katherine MacDonald: "Tell me, is there anything you feel you have failed at, but learned from it?"

Afzal Shauq: "There are many things, dreams with open eyes which make me broken inside but I like to continue… for example, I know that peace itself in these days’ bears a question mark with no answer. So I love to prevail love, project love, talk love and even wish to name to life a LOVE in big words. My mission is a hard nut to crack, but I am trying again and again and asking my cousins (humankinds) to be in love for peace… I have constructed a worldwide forum for the poets and artists to sing a song of peace together under the name of Farishta Foundation International which is progressing well and hundreds of poets/writers and artists are agreed to my Peace agenda and they are doing well under these following seven basic aims of the foundation…."

… making men share a sole identity as humans, discarding

all divisions.

… promoting love for peace, peace for humanity and

humanity towards prosperity of life.

… promoting art as an effective way of bridging the gaps

between east and west.

…doing the best things in favour of ailing humanity.

... being global in thinking, with an attitude of will to share.

…drawing the face of humanity in best possible colors of

words.

…preaching use of a friendly smile as best weapon of war.

Katherine MacDonald: "Is there anything that you are doing right now, where people can gather and hear your messages in your writings?"

Afzal Shauq: "I plan to work for my cause in a more organized way in the establishing of ‘Farishta Foundation International’ that aims at putting all my dreams to practice. It will be a forum where lovers and servers of humanity would gather and render their part. I aim at bringing creative people together from all over the world. Specially writers and poets whose words carry a message of love need to be brought together and their valuable works be sent to all the world in different languages."

Katherine MacDonald: "Do you have any advice for up and coming writers?"

Afzal Shauq: "Sure Katherine… I being a peace wisher poet, as you and other critics call me, do believe that if the writers, poets and artists related to paintings to promote their ideas of love for all, with their own style and point of view… the people of the world will realize the global problem of brutality and will be ready to play a great role to make the globe safe from all worries. I have to tell them.. the people of word and color are not ordinary but very special and there is enough respect for them… So now it’s their duty to guide the humankinds towards the prosperity of life to enjoy collectively. Let me add here that the word itself is power and the color is beauty…so lets make the globe to be saved from brutality and make it beautiful."

Katherine MacDonald: " Do you have any advice for your fellow mankind?"

Afzal Shauq: "I always say, “A friendly smile is the best weapon of war to fight with ..” and really I mean it… because the philosophy of power or technology has badly failed to ensure peace… so it’s the only meaningful sweet smile.. which is the first sign of love can bridge up the gaps between hearts. So lets do an attack on each others hearts to occupy them with power of love."

Thank you Afzal for letting me get to know a little more about the man behind the ideals. I must say, it is endearing to finally hear words of peace and love. In this world which can be cruel, it is hard to find people that care for this humanity. As Afzal spoke to me, I felt enriched with every response he made. Not only is he a well-traveled, intelligent being, he is a passionate man with ideals that we should all relate to. I have been aspired by his words, and intrigued by his ambitions. You will find he truly is a peace wisher poet, acclaimed by not only by critics, but by readers and writers of all kinds.

Katherine MacDonald

P.O. Box 1008

Bay Roberts, Newfoundland

A0A 1G0

CANADA

Cell: [phone]

"Katherine Reid" [e-mail]

PostPoems.com/members/dyingpoetkr