Poet, novelist and feminist icon Fahmida Riaz passes away

Poet and novelist, Fahmida Riaz, passed away on Wednesday in Lahore. Riaz, 72, was known for her
work in poetry and prose and as a human rights activist.
She wrote more than 15 books in her lifetime and was most famous for her work on resistance and
feminism. She is also said to be the very first voices of feminism literature in Pakistan.
Some of her notable writing include Badan Dareeda, Patthar Ki Zaban, Aadmi ki Zindagi, Khule
Dareeche Se and Khatt-e-Marmooz to name a few.
She lived in self-exile for six years in Delhi when General Zia-ul-Haq was in power in Pakistan.
Condolences poured in from literary, non-literary circles and from fans on both sides of the India-Pakistan
border.

I am shattered. Fahmida Riaz -finest of our poets, writer, translator, activist and an extraordinary woman -passed away a few hours ago. Rest in peace Fahmida Apa but how will I deal with your absence? #tweet https://t.co/2wAGH6DVsx pic.twitter.com/jwIwNlEwDF

— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) November 21, 2018

Heartbreaking news about the death of Fahmida Riaz. What a transformative force she was, in her poetry and her life. One of the brightest of lights in the dark days of Zia-ul-Haq, and beyond. #fahmidariaz

— Kamila Shamsie (@kamilashamsie) November 21, 2018

Very sad to hear that Fehmida Riaz just passed away. She was a poet, activist and feminist in times of profound darkness for the free, creative voice. Her challenge to patriarchy was never ambiguous. May she rest in peace 🙏

— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) November 22, 2018

What a loss for South Asian feminists! Fahmida Riaz will be missed on both sides of the border. https://t.co/1Z2aIU00Sr #ripfahmidariaz

— Nida Kirmani (@nidkirm) November 21, 2018

Fahmida Riaz escaped Zia’s persecution in 1981 and came to Delhi. Amrita Pritam spoke to Indira Gandhi and Riaz was given asylum. She became poet in residence at Jamia Milia Islamia and learnt Hindi. Returned to a hero’s welcome upon Zia’s death in 1988. #RIPFahmidaRiaz

— Shivam Vij (@DilliDurAst) November 21, 2018

Sad to learn of Fehmida Riaz's passing. Her poetry challenged traditionalism at so many levels as she reflected the voice and emotions of women unchained! Her sensitivity & often sensuality of expression was unique.

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) November 22, 2018

I still remember that summer in Lahore in 1986 when I discovered Fahmida Riaz’s *Badn Darīda* and her fearless vision. Rest in Power. https://t.co/fMQpWFq7sY pic.twitter.com/usg3FjOtl0

— manan ahmed (@sepoy) November 21, 2018