RIYADH, 24 November 2005 — A mushaira, poetry session, was organized here recently where 18 prominent local poets from different parts of the Kingdom took part. More than 300 Indian expatriates attended the poetry session, which was inaugurated by Anantha Krishna, first secretary at the Indian Embassy, and presided over by Habeeb Badr, a well-known Urdu scholar. A new social and cultural forum called ‘Hum Hindustani’ was launched on the occasion.
Muhammad Quaiser, chairman of the Mushaira Organizing Committee, said there were a number of talented writers and poets living in Saudi Arabia. “Among the 1.5 million Indian expatriates, 40 percent are Urdu speakers belonging to different parts of that Asian country,” said Quaiser, adding that the embassy can organize a full-fledged mushaira by inviting local poets.
Krishna said the embassy would consider hosting a mushaira with local poets. He said the embassy auditorium could be used for any cultural event that the community members wished to organize between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Thursdays. Mohammed Khaled Hussain, vice president reception committee, spoke about the aims and objectives of the new cultural organization ‘Hum Hindustani.’
Prominent poets from Riyadh, Dammam and Jubail, who recited their poems included Mahmood Aalam, Masoom Abbasi, Sayeed Ahmed Muntazir, Firasat Ali Khusro, Mahmood Shahid, Dr. Shafeeq Nadavi, Faheem Jawaid, Zafar Mahmood Zafar, Shuja Anwar, Najeeb Ahmed Najeeb, Chaudhary Rajeev Kumar Chabra Zakham, Abdullah Khaleel, Abdul Qayyum Makhfi, Ibrahim Lokhandwala, Yousuf Raheem Bidri and Hameed Hashmi Ghaibi. Mohammed Abdul Qayyum Makhfi delivered the vote of thanks.