RIYADH — Pakistan Cultural Group (PCG) Riyadh organized a grand All Saudia Interprovincial Mushaira (poetry event) in collaboration with the Pakistan Embassy at the Chancery Hall of the embassy on the occasion of Quaid's Day (139th birth anniversary of the father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah). Prominent Urdu poets from all over Saudi Arabia and some from Bahrain regaled poetry lovers with some incisive and insightful verses. Ambassador Manzoor ul Haq was the chief guest, while renowned poet Suhail Saqib presided over the mushaira. Zafar Ullah Khan, general secretary of PCG, formally started the program by inviting Qari Saad Naumani to recite verses of the Holy Qur'an. Qari Saad, a teacher at the Masjid Al Nabawi,) recited some verses in his delicate style of recitation. He also offered special prayers for those who lost their lives in the recent Jazan hospital fire. Irfan Siddique, advisor to the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, congratulated PCG, poets, audience and the embassy on organizing the mushaira in his telephonic address. Dr. Riaz Ahmed Khawaja, chairman PCG, welcomed the honorable guests and the poets. Ambassador Haq appreciated the interprovincial mushaira and described it as a positive sign for the promotion of Urdu poetry in the Kingdom. "Poets are born not made, and poetry is a powerful tool of expression. Poets are blessed with a natural talent and they beautifully use their thoughts, imagination and ideas in verse to touch the multitude. They play a vital role in the development of a better society and they are nation builders in their own right," he said. "We dedicate today's mushaira to our Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. His compassionate struggle, indomitable will and his untiring efforts with a sincerity of purpose led to the creation of Pakistan," Haq added. PCG awarded Sanobar Sani for his photographic services to the community with a shield of excellence. Western Union offered a latest Apple Iphone through a lucky draw. Convener PCG Shamshad Ali Siddique and Dr. Erum Qalbani jointly conducted the mushaira session in their stylish and sophisticated manner. The Chancery Hall was beautifully decked with flowers and scented candles. Many of the poets captivated the audience with their poetry, their style, performance, meaningful and thought-provoking lines and their rendition was highly praised by the audience. Those who participated in the mushaira were: Suhail Saqib, Omar Salim Al Aidroos, Anwar Ansari, Aftab Ali Turabi, Shahzad Azam, Javid Akhter Javid, Iqbal Qamar, Waqar Naseem Wamiq, Qudsia Nadeem Lali, Tanvir Ahmed Tanvir, Hakeem Aslam Qamar, Dr. Hina Ambreen Tariq, Riaz Shahid, Saleem Kawish, Iqbal Tariq, Shaukat Jamal, Ghazala Kamrani, Sajida Chauhdary, Dr. Asad Ali, Wasim Sahir, Muhammad Sabir, Atif Chauhdary and Manzar Hamdani.
