Poets send out message of unity at Indo-Pak mushaira

India and Pakistan have a common culture and a long-shared common history. This was evident in a mushaira on Thursday when noted poets from both the nations enthralled hundreds of Urdu lovers from the subcontinent.
They were aptly cheered and applauded by Consul General of India Faiz Ahmad Kidwai and his Pakistani counterpart Abdul Salik Khan, both chief guest of the evening.
Second Annual Mushaira of Salar-e-Millat Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi 2012 organized by Bazm-e-Ittehad, Jeddah, presented renowned poets from India and Pakistan who sent a message of peace and unity among India and Pakistan.
Urdu is not only a language of Indian Muslims but it’s also loved and enriched by non-Muslims alike,” Kidwai told the gathering.
Kidwai lauded his Pakistani counterpart Khan for his humane and rational approach. He praised the late Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi for the uplift of education in general, medical, pharmaceutical, engineering education and other social services in and around Hyderabad.
Khan was all praise for Bazm-e-Ittehad, Jeddah, and Ahmaduddin Owaisi, chairman of the event. He praised Urdu’s role in uniting people and countries. Remembering an old address in Muscat by famous Indian Urdu critic Gopi Chand Narang (who had migrated to India from Pakistan), Khan said in Pakistan many non-Urdu speakers have adopted and served Urdu with such a good command that their mastery is accepted by the Urdu scholars and speakers everywhere. He emphasized the role of Urdu language in uniting people of the Subcontinent.
Aslam Farshouri conducted the mushaira.
Indian poets Aqueel Hashmi, Mahshar Afridi, Hamid Akmal, Tasneem Jauhar and Pakistani poets Amjad Islam Amjad and Anwar Masood were the stars of the event.
Many local Indian and Pakistani poets made this event a success too. Syed Naeem, Hamid Ali Al-Hamid was awarded Salar-e-Millat Award for his literary contributions. The guest and host poets were given plaques and mementos too.
Dr. Syed Ali Mahmood delivered welcome address and Hasan Bayazeed shade light on aims and objectives of Bazm-e-Ittehad and also read out profile of Salar-e-Millat awardee. Ahmeduddin Owaisi announced the name of the awardee in his presidential speech. Prior to mushaira, the function was anchored by Mohammed Yousufuddin Amjad.