Dhahran Poetry Group (DPG), a socio-cultural organization within the ambit of the Saudi Aramco Dhahran community’s theme of ‘Life Beyond 5 PM’ arranged a fun-filled evening which was fundamentally a delightful literary event of Urdu poetry recitation to promote the language amongst the mostly English speaking audience. The event was also targeted at the younger generation who are hitherto unaware of the beauty and richness of the language and culture associated with it.

This mega poetic event was also a unique experience for the younger residents of Saudi Aramco since most of them have settled in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia and aren’t in touch with the language. So this was an excellent platform to help bridge the gap and bring out the poet in them. The atmosphere was ecstatic as the candles on the tables lit up the delight on their faces. Everyone was excited to show his talent and when Al-Saddan came up with the Arabic version of Allama Iqbal’s Shikwa-& Jawab-E-Shikwa, the audience rose to their feet in a deafening applause. The rendition which touched on the essence of language and sublimity of human passions made the evening truly memorable.

The event was held at Al-Diwan hall of Saudi Aramco Dhahran and was presided over by legendary poet Dr. Naeem Hamid Ali-Al-Hamid, the first officially recognized poet and founder of the Naeem Urdu Research Library in Jeddah comprising the rarest of research periodicals and 1,400 books. Dr. Naeem Hamid was conferred the doctorate degree for his 20 years of research work on Abdul Qadir Bedil, the 17th century Islamic Persian poet. Dr. Naeem has also contributed to promoting Urdu literature for the last 50 years. Dr. Naeem was in his element as he regaled the audience with his perspective on current affairs which is also his forte. He not only obliged the audience with his unparalleled poetic renditions but also demonstrated his deep message-oriented verses and couplets. Here are some gems:

Dast-E- Qudrat Ka Shahkaar Ho Tum....Rang Ho Noor Ho Bahaar Ho Tum (You are crafted by nature, full of color, light and the season of spring)

And the last couplet of the poem brought immense joy to the audience

Daulat-E-Husn ki Zakaat hee Do.. Tum Peh Wajib Hai Maaldar Ho Tum (You are endowed with a wealth of beauty which makes it pertinent that you give a little of yourself to those who do not have this treasure)

Dr. Pirzada Qasim presently the chancellor of Ziauddin University and former vice chancellor of Karachi University, a great scientist and internationally acclaimed poetic genius presented some thought-provoking poems and was accorded a standing ovation as a mark of respect. Dr. Pirzada was at his astute philosophical best leaving the audience spellbound. Dr. Nausha Asrar (USA) a distinguished alumnus from the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) elaborated on the debate between Qur’an and Science with lucidity and logic. The audience sat with rapt attention as Manzar Bhopali’s silver voice enveloped the atmosphere.

Amongst the local poets who were widely appreciated were Saquib Jaunpuri, Shaukat Jamal and Qudasia Lali.

Dr. Wajahat Farooqui, eminent AMU alumnus presented a bouqet and shawl to Mr. Adil Mustafa and Dr. Naeem Hamid Ali- Al-Hamid on behalf of AMU Old Boys Association and the Shameem Jaipuri Memorial Society.