JEDDAH – "Culture is the bridge that unites people and countries. This grand evening bears testimony to this fact. At short notice under the aegis of Aalami Urdu Markaz, Jeddah, Pakistani, Indian and Saudi literati and shining poets from these countries gathered to honor the ‘Poet of Love' Amjad Islam Amjad, who is a valuable asset for the realm of poetry," said Tahseemul Haq Haqqi while chairing the literary evening and Mushairah organized by Aalami Urdu Markaz. Haqqi thanked intellectuals, CEOs and journalists taking part in this grand program such as Dr. Umar Chhapra, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Dr. Athar Naqvi, Shahzad Akram (Islamic Bank), Tasneem Ahmad, Aziz Ahmad, Chaudhry Shahbaz (Ex-Federal Minister, Pakistan), Munir Gondal, Azizuddin Shareef, Taiyyab Moosani, Nadim Farooqui, Khwaja Yusufuddin, Mujahid Syed, Siraj Wahab, Musarrat Khalil, Shahzad Azam, Akram Asad, Masood Puri, Aboobakr Memon for making this evening a successful event. Athar Abbasi (president), Hamid Islam Khan (general secretary), Amir Khurshid (joint secretary) and Shehabuddin (secretary for functions) and other officials of Aalami Urdu Markaz were lauded for organizing the program. Aboo Bakr Memon, guest of honor in his address, declared Amjad Islam Amjad "the Poet of Optimism", he further advised audience not to be disappointed and serve Pakistan and Ummah with unflagging zeal. Abbasi was all praise for Amjad Islam Amjad and thanked Tahseemul Haqq Haqqi and Pakistani Consulate for their valuable support . Amir Khurshid in his brief but impressive article (that was laced with humor and literary touch) shed light on life, art and salient features of Amjad Islam Amjad's poetry. "Decisive in nature but prompt in keeping values of human relationship, he respects his seniors and loves his juniors. He is known for his evergreen and universal identity like many international house-hold brands. His ghazal has its roots in tradition but in phraseology it's modern. The poet's realism never lacks astonishment. In his poetry and TV serials Amjad's romanticism, elaborate and rich style keeps his audience and readers spell-bound," Amir said. Amjad Islam Amjad in his brief speech thanked Aalami Urdu Markaz, Pakistani Consulate and the audience for organizing such an exclusive evening dedicated to him on such a short notice during a working day due to the love of Urdu language and poetry. He promised them to present some new Nazms and Ghazals The second session included Mushairah , in which local Indian and Pakistani poets recited poems with Amjad Islam Amjad. Amjad Islam Amjad was welcomed to the podium with great applause by the audience. Some examples of Amjad's Ghazals and Nazms: Teer aaya tha jidhar se yeh mere shahr ke log Kitne saadah hain ke marham bhi wahin dekhte hain Us gali men hamen yunhi to nahin dil ki talash Jis jagah khoie koi cheez wahin dekhte hain Shayad is baar mile koi bashaarat Amjad Aayie phir se muqaddar ki jabeen dekhtay hain Tum se mile bhi hum to judaaiee ke mod per Kashti hui naseeb to dariya nahin raha Kahte the ek pal na jiyenge tere baghair Hum donon reh gaye hain wo waada nahin raha Ojhal sahi nigah se dooba nahi hoon main Aye raat hoshiyaar ke haara nahi hoon main Is tarah pher, pher ke baaten na kijiye Lahje ka rukh samajhta hoon bachcha nahin hoon main Dil ko gawah karke likha jo bhi kuchh likha Kaaghaz ka pet bharne ko likhta nahin hoon main His poetry recited in Mushairah, showed his optimism, fears and aspirations. He recited a nazm on the request of Tahseemul Haq Haqqi. His nazms "Bewafaiee ki Mushkilen", "Ali Zishan Ke Liye", "Robot", Mayusi Ke Khilaf Ek Nazm" were well received by the audience. The program began with the recitation of the verses of Holy Qur'an by Qari Muhammad Asif. Amjad Islam Amjad's Naat was recited by Muhammad Nawaz Janjua. Amjad's ghazal, which was recited by Sher Afzal, gave the program a romantic touch. Hamid Islam Khan was master of the ceremony. He gave a brief introduction of Amjad Islam Amjad and thanked dignitaries, audience and Pakistani Consulate for their support for such a beautiful program. The program concluded with the supplication of Ahmad Ataullah Farooqui.
