Children for Heritage Protection
Funkor believes in respect for religious places of all religions as an integral part of promotion of Peace. For this Funkor started ‘The Children for Heritage Protection Project’,.
The Children for Heritage Protection Project is based on a two pronged strategy to connect children of Islamabad with their ‘multi-cultural roots’.
In the first phase Fauzia documented historical sites of Islamabad. ‘Glimpses into Islamabad’s Soul’, a coffee table book was the outcome of documentation of the natural and cultural heritage of Islamabad. She created awareness about their importance and started a heritage conservation movement in Islamabad, this was done by a regular column ‘Heritage of Islamabad’ in DAWN newspaper and through electronic media.
In the second phase started Children’s Cultural Caravan to raise awareness about the rich cultural heritage of Islamabad, and inculcatea respect for our multi cultural roots. We are privileged to have the renowned archaeologist, Dr. A. H Dani accompany us on different trips. Children are encouraged through these guided tours to ‘experience’ the historical sites and ancient trees, and to photograph, document them from myriad angles, reproduce ‘these historical sites’ in drawings, poems, prose.
So far, we have organized special events, to promote the work of traditional craftsmen whose craft is on the verge of extinction and to encourage their children. These were workshops for school children with the traditional potters of Saidpur, and chitarkar or slate engravers from Hazara. The objective is to on one hand, encourage the children of craftspeople and show them that their father’s/mother’s craft is appreciated, and on the other hand to promote crafts of Pakistan among children from the privileged class.
Funkor Childart Center has been very active in creating awareness about ancient trees, their loss is irreplaceable, sadly in Pakistan they are cut down in the ‘development process’. This was done through media and in collaboration with different citizen’s groups. Helped a youth group Zimmedar Shehri in saving 40 year old pine trees which were to be removed in the process of road widening. A number of old banyans and pipals have been saved as ‘natural monuments’.
To encourage children to appreciate and respect Nature, organized heritage trails in the Margallah Hills National Park, in which different schools participated.
Sensitised the CDA through articles in the press and meeting with relevant authorities, in respecting the religious significance of the Saidpur temple which resulted in reversal of the decision of opening a restaurant in the temple. The magnificient 400 year old Banyan tree, at Sufi saint Barri Imam’s shrine was saved from destruction, when the work started on building a new marble complex in the shrine. The initial design of the complex did not have any Banyan tree. We created awareness and ultimately saved the Banyan tree.
‘Link with our Past’, an article written by Fauzia Minallah for the News, Sunday magazine, is one of many written by her, that promote the preservation of our cultural heritage.
Other Special Projects
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