By Aymen Zaheer

RIYADH — Pakistan Writers Club-Riyadh (PWC) and its Ladies Chapter (PWC-LC) hosted recently its Annual “Inter-Gulf Mushaira” to mark the 71st Independence Day of Pakistan and the Saudi National Day in collaboration with Embassy of Pakistan at the Chancery Hall of Embassy of Pakistan in Riyadh.

Counselor Dr. Bilal Ahmed was the chief guest. Saeed Ashar, a well known senior Urdu poet, presided over the event. Poets Iqbal Tariq from Bahrain, Qudsia Nadeem Lali from Alkhobar and Shaukat Jamal from Riyadh were the Guests of Honor.

A large number of people from different walks of life were present from across the Kingdom, along with the Pakistan Embassy officials.

The audience enjoyed themselves while listening to these poets. Besides senior and famous poets, young poets also received warm applause for their poetry renditions.

Poet Yousuf Ali Yousuf, general secretary of PWC, kicked off the event and briefed the audience about the purpose of this get-together.

Abdul Rehman Khalid Algreemil, Saudi national, appreciated PWC and LC for organizing such a wonderful evening. He appreciated the growing friendship of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

Some members of the Ladies Chapter of PWC presented a stunning skit that was a satire of a typical Mushaira. The lady members who participated in this skit were: Dr. Farah Nadia, Shumaila Malik, Madiha Noman, Dr. Naghma Rehan and their kids, Daniyal Ahmad, Ayaan Gauhar, Ayaan Ahmad and Abdullah Fawaz. This skit presentation was greatly appreciated and received a big round of applause from the audience.

Yousuf Ali Yousuf and Tahira Kashif resumed the proceedings of Mushaira.

Several prominent poets and poetess from Bahrain, Dammam, Alkhobar and Riyadh participated in this Mushaira. They included: Saeed Ashar, Iqbal Tariq, Qudsia Nadeem Lali, Shaukat Jamal, Ghazala Kamrani, Hesham Syed, Saleem Kawish, Masood Jamal, Mohsin Raza, Waqar Naseem Wamiq, Sabir Qashang, Sadaf Faridi, Shahid Khialwi, Peer Asad Kamal, Mansoor Chaudhary, Sajida Chaudhary, Shahnaz Akhtar Qureshi, Zubair Ahmed Bhatti, Shumaila Malik, Dr. Farah Nadia and Aymen Zaheer.

Saeed Ashar, president of Mushaira, mesmerized the audience with his enthralling pieces of poetry. He congratulated PWC for arranging such a delightful evening.

Counselor Dr. Bilal Ahmed praised the efforts of PWC and LC for arranging such an entertaining evening.

“Pakistan has a rich history of poetry and literature of which Mushaira is an important part.” he said, while lauding the initiative and emphasized that such literary sittings must be hosted every now and then.

Fayyaz Malik, president of PWC, mentioned that it was very nice to have poets from all over the Kingdom and also from Bahrain. He thanked all the poets and the audience for their lively participation.

He also thanked members of the PWC and its Ladies Chapter for their hard work in putting up such a tremendous event. He told the audience that the Embassy of Pakistan has always been supportive and helpful to PWC in hosting such events. Finally, he had words of thanks for the Ambassador of Pakistan Khan Hasham bin Saddique and his officials.

Memento shields were awarded to the Counselor Dr. Bilal Ahmed. Others who also received the memento shields were: President of Mushaira Saeed Ashar, Dr. Farah Nadia — PWC-LC Convener and Yousuf Ali Yousuf — GS PWC. Certificates of appreciations were also provided to all the poets and the skits participants.