Faiz Al-Najdi RIYADH — A “Mushaira (poetry symposium)” was recently organized by the Pakistan Culture Group (PCG) to mark the Pakistan National Day Thursday at the community hall of the Embassy of Pakistan here. Pakistan's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Muhammad Naeem Khan, who is also the patron in chief of PCG, attended the event as the chief guest. While addressing the audience who had gathered for the event, Khan urged his compatriots to project a “soft image” of Pakistan. He also said that Pakistan was fortunate to be located at the cross-roads of Asia and the Middle-East and is gifted with mixture of cultural values from different regions. “Pakistan has derived positive cultural notes and values from world's different civilizations,” he said, adding that Pakistan's music, art and literature are reminiscent of the great cultural values from Arabia, Persia and Turkey. “Our cuisines are also special and very popular across the globe and people value and appreciate this and they are in great demand,” Khan said. He also informed that his mission is to project better image of Pakistan via soft power. “Pakistani art and culture shall be introduced to the Saudis and to other foreigners here,” he said, enlightening the audience about some recently held activities like the calligraphy exhibition, Food Festival, Qawwali program, and of late the grand musical gala by Punjabi folk singer Arif Lohar. Khan said that all these initiatives were taken by the embassy to showcase the richness that existed in Pakistan's culture. He also said that very soon some more world renowned artists would be invited to Saudi Arabia. “I have discussed this issue with the Saudi Minster for Culture for their cooperation in this regards; and I am very glad to inform you all that I have his full support to host such events.” Javed Shamim, secretary general of PCG welcomed the audience and the poets. He especially thanked the three poets — Tariq Sabzwari, Saeed Agha and Hakim Nasif — who were flown in from Pakistan. They kept the audience mesmerized with their deep, meaningful poetry while some poets enthralled everyone with their melodious renditions. The poets also recited Pakistan's national anthem with the ambassador and his wife Anila Naeem Khan. Some local Pakistani poets who were part of the symposium were Qudsia Nadim Lali, Prof. Iqbal Ejaz Beg, Javed Akhter Javed and Shaukat Jamal. Shamim also highlighted PCG's one-year achievements. “It is our mission to showcase our culture and in this connection each year we bring in some noted personalities from the fields of art and literature,” adding that the group is also involved in charity and welfare work for needy Pakistanis.
The event was conducted by Irum Mansoor and Imtiaz Ahmed. The vote of thanks of was delivered by PCG President Dr. Riaz Khawaja. — SG
