“Urdu is one of the dominant languages in Pakistan and has become a bridge between cultures and countries. In fact, Urdu is one of the most popular languages after Arabic in the Middle East, and Urdu’s role in shaping the subcontinent’s societies is historic,” he added while speaking at the function held at the Pakistan International School, Aziziah, auditorium.
He commended Athar Abbasi, Irfan Hashmi, Hamid Islam Khan, Syed Mahtab and Yasin Haider Rizvi of Urdu Markaz and Mohammad Ashfaq Mahmoud, principal Pakistan International School, for their efforts in organizing annual mushairah.
Pakistani and other guest poets Shahab Eqtedar Qadr, Saeed Agha, Abid Ali Baig (Hong Kong), Shahin Abbas, Asim Wasti (Abu Dhabi), Mohsin Changezi (Quetta, Baluchistan), Iqbal Qamar (Dammam), Liyaqat Ali Asim, Shuja’at Ali Rahi (Khyber, Pakhtunkhwah), Anwar Shaoor, Iftekhar Arif and local poets Naeem Bazidpuri, Anwar Ansari, Mohsin Alawi, Naushad Usman, Farooq Moonis, Zamurrad Khan Saifi, Ather Abbasi and Syed Qamar Haider Qamar regaled Jeddah Urdu poetry lovers in the Mushairah. Amir Khursheed was the master of ceremonies of the event.
Shahin Abbas, a young poet from Shekhupura, read out some thought-provoking ghazals which were well taken by the audience.
His verses, Zameen ka aakhri manzar dikhai dene laga, Main dekhta hua paththar dikhai dene laga, Baat yun hi to nahin karta hun main ruk ruk kar, Kya bataun ki mera dhyaan kahaan jata hai, Ek saaya ghat-ta badhta waqt batlata raha, Aur main andaze se hi aata raha jata raha, were received with rapturous applause.
Mohsin Changezi, the young romantic poet from Baluchistan, touched the hearts of the audience with his beautiful poetry: Ek hath mein guldasta hai, ek hath mein taisha, Mazdure zamana hun mohabbat ke dinon mein, Isi mehtab mein hoga koi gulnar chehra, Magar ankhon mein koi aur hairaani rehegi, Ham log ke jo girte makanon ke makeen hain, Palkein bhi jhapak sakte nahin neend ke dar se.
Liyaqat Ali Asim, successfully drew audience’s attention with his unique description of love and life.
Ishq bare digar hua hi nahin, Dil lagaya tha dil laga hi nahin.
Sone dete hain kahaan shahr ke halat magar, Ham bhi saffak hain jee maar ke so jate hain.
Doobti nao tumse kya poochhe, Na khudao tumhein khuda poochhe.
Abid Ali Baig’s (Hong Kong) main poem was a prayer for Pakistan. Then he recited his humorous poem about TV political anchors who deal with political leaders, while Shahab Eqtedar Qadr, recited verses from his latest na’at.
Saeed Agha stressed on humor and satire and made the audience laugh and ruminate with his ghazal: Lo aa gaye hain malaek chale gaye shaitaan, Isi gumaan mein public hai tal gaye daku, Hamare mulk mein hota raha yahi ab tak, Badal gayi hai hukumat badal gaye daku.
Asim Wasti’s ghazals were a happy blend of thought and passion: Abhi tak to hadein shahre junoon ki tai nahin hain, Kaheen bahar na reh jaoon agar andar gaya main, Main dekhne ki hadon se nikal ke dekhta hoon, Meri nigaah se meri nazar zyaada hai, Woh yun hua ke mere hath lag gaya sooraj, Siyaah shab mein sitara shikaar karte hue.
Shuja’at Ali Rahi, who lived in Jeddah earlier for many years was welcomed by audience and his works were well received. His poem: Main ne haqeeqaton ke hawaale se baat ki, Usne hekayaton ka hawala diya mujhe.
Tumhare zikr ka jadu jaga diya main ne, Har ek lafz ko range hena diya main ne.
Qateel ho ke bhi main apne qatilon se lada, Ke mere baad mere doston ki bari thi.
Anwar Shaoor, with his simplicity mesmerized the audience. Log sadmon se mar nahin jate, Saamne ki misaal hai meri.
Kya karein ham jhoot ke aadi nahin, Aur sach kahne ki aazadi nahin
Ham wahaan dekhne pahochenge jahaan aaiega, Aap kab aaiega aur kahaan aaiega.
Kiya badalon mein safar zindagi bhar, Zameen par banaya na ghar zindagi bhar.
Iftikhar Arif, the veteran Pakistani Urdu poet, whose contribution to Urdu poetry and literature has been recognized internationally, stole the thunder.
Arif, who presided over this event, made this literary evening memorable with his ghazals.
Charaghe hujrae darwesh ki bujhti hui lao, Hawa se keh gayi ki ab tamasha khatm hoga.
Hamein to apne samander ki ret kafi hai, Tu apne chashmae be faiz ko sambhal ke rakh.
Raas aane lagi dunia to kaha dil ne ke jaa, Ab tujhe dard ki daulat nahin milne wali.
Meezano tegho khal’ato mansab maze mein hain, Sab kar rahe hain aaho fughan sab maze mein hain.
Qari Shakeel recited verses of the Holy Qur’an and Mohammed Nawaz Janjua recited Na’at. Athar Abbasi, president of Urdu Markaz, thanked Pakistani consul general for his continued support for promotion of Urdu.
