Alys Faiz (1914-2003) was mostly known as the wife of the famous Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. But she was a poet, writer, journalist, human rights activist, social worker and teacher as well. By birth she was a British but later on she adopted Islam and Pakistan as her religion and country. She married Faiz Ahmed Faiz in the 1930s. She had two daughters.
After her death, Habib R. Sulemani wrote in the Dawn newspaper, “During my decade-long stay in Lahore, as a silent observer of the literary-scene, I was fascinated by her life-story which made me believe that women are stronger than men and have an immense power and talent for reconciliation and bridging the gaps between two families or nations. Alys gave courage to many western women who were married to Pakistanis and now live here as citizens. Alys gave many sacrifices. Faiz Ahmad Faiz's life and poetry have influenced hundreds of thousands of people in one way or the other, but Alys has shaped his life and poetry. A study of Faiz, as a person and a poet, cannot be complete without a study of Alys. Rather I should say she needs a special treat on her own right as a writer and a poet.”[1] (http://dawn.com/2003/03/18/letted.htm#2)
Alys stood by Faiz when he was in jail and provided strength to the leftist poet - she was a communist at the early age of 16 - in his years of exile, and made her impact on Pakistani society without borrowing glory from her husband.
Alys had come to undivided India to meet her sister who was married to educationist and scholar poet, Dr Taseer, but was soon married to Faiz, a friend and colleague of Taseer and never went back.
Faiz grew to be an internationally renowned poet and Alys became a leading light of the country's educated and conscientious classes.
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