RIYADH — The Pakistan Writers Club-Riyadh (PWC) and its ladies chapter marked the 69th Independence Day of Pakistan and Saudi National Day by hosting an “All-Saudia Grand Mushaira” — poetry recitation session — recently here. Pakistan Ambassador Manzoor Ul Haq was the chief guest, Tufail Ahmed Raja, was the guest-of-honor. Amber Naqvi, a well-known Urdu poet who had come from Pakistan, presided over the poetry session. The event was attended by a large number of Pakistani men and women from across the Kingdom. PWC General Secretary Ashiq Hussein kicked off the event by stating that PWC was hosting this Mushaira to mark the Pakistani Independence Day and the Saudi National Day. He said poets had arrived from Jeddah, Al-Khobar and Dammam, besides local poets from Riyadh, for the occasion. He, at the outset, said “Poets would present their works in Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi and Pushto.” Syed Khawaja Nehal Uddin and Ehsan Abbasi conducted the proceedings, with a beautiful set of kids singing the Saudi and Pakistani national anthems. Some members of the Ladies Chapter of PWC presented a skit that was a satire of a typical and traditional Mushaira. Ms. Asma Tariq (conveyor), Dr. Rabia Amer (deputy conveyor), Madiha Noman, (event coordinator) and Ms. Farah Ehsan (finance secretary) of PWC Ladies Chapter participated and the skit was well received by the audience. Twenty-two talented men and women poets from Riyadh, Dammam, Al-Khobar and Jeddah participated in Mushaira. They included Syed Khawaja Nehal Uddin, Iqbal Talib, Saeed Ashar, Iqbal Qamar, Suhail Saqib, Rasheed Adil Sarki, Ghulam Haider Haider, Abdul Razaq Tabusam, Ameer Khan Musa Khel, Ms. Shahnaz Akhter Qureshi, Syed Manzar Zaidi, Waqar Nasim Wamiq, Ghulam Fareed Bhutta, Yousuf Ali Yousuf, Ms. Sameera Aziz, Shahid Khialvi, Lala Riaz, Hesham Syed, Sadaf Afridi, Javed Akhter Javed, Ms. Qudsia Nadim Laly and Professor Iqbal Aijaz Baig.
Hameed Rizvi enchanted listeners with his melodious voice, singing the famous Pakistani patriotic song, and won the hearts of the audience. Amber Naqvi, president of Mushaira, waxed eloquent about the importance of Mushaira. He added that the ode (Ghazal) is the vital part of it. To host such event, is a way to preserve and promote cultural norms, and its language and literature. He also dedicated a verse for the children who are an asset to the nation. Amber Naqvi won applause via renditions of his famous quatrains. Manzoor Ul Haq appreciated the poets and the PWC and members of its ladies chapter for hosting such an enjoyable literary evening. He added that it is really a special day to celebrate both national days on PWC platform He emphasized the deep friendship of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. He told that Saudi Arabia is our second home. “The reason for this good relationship between our two countries is you — our compatriots — and I am really very proud of my countrymen,” he said. HE aslo appreciated PWC for arranging of such a wonderful evening with galaxy poets from Saudi Arabia. Faiz Al-Najdi, President of PWC, expressed his gratitude towards Manzoor Ul Haq for gracing the occasion as its chief guest. He thanked all the poets joining the celebration and also thanked the audience for their presence and appreciations. Finally, Najdi also thanked PWC club members and the members of its ladies chapter for their hard work in putting up such an excellent event. Memento shields were awarded to the Ambassador of Pakistan, President of Mushaira, Amber Naqvi, for his achievements in Urdu literature and to all the poets as a token of respect for their contribution in promotion of literary work. Shields were also given to Abdul Rauf Mughal - VP IT & Multimedia of PWC and Ms. Shaheen Javed — senior member of Ladies Chapter of PWC.
