JEDDAH — It was a night of agony and poetic ecstasy. The venue was Layali Alnoor Hall in the city and the event was annual mushaira in memory of Majlis Ittihadul Muslimeen leader late Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi. The night was an agony for the jam-packed hall because of high temperature and dysfunctional air-conditioner and poor arrangement. The cooling effect was the melody of ghazals, the punch of Nazms, the spirituality of Naat and a very perfect handling of the evening by mushaira conductor. [caption id="attachment_48369" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Poets with BIJ Managment. — SG photo[/caption] For the fifth consecutive year the event was organized by Bazm-e-Ittihad Jeddah, a cultural and social organization. The mushaira was presided over by Ahmeduddin Owaisi, president of BIJ Saudi Arabia and Canada, while Mahmood Sohail Qadri, newly-elected municipal corporator for Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation; Aziz Ahmed, joint editor Etemaad Urdu daily; and ex-mayor of Hyderabad Mir Zulfeqar Ali, were the chief guests at the occasion. Mohammad Obaidur Rehman, vice president BIJ, welcomed the guests and the audience. Mushaira convener Yousufuddin Amjad presented a brief history of BIJ and the importance of Urdu language, mushaira and its relevance in promoting national harmony. He said Urdu was a perfect symbol of unity in diversity. It was a language of all Indians cutting across religious and regional barriers. Before the start of the evening, the organizers presented Salar-e-Millat literary award to famous Chicago-based Urdu literary personality Hasan Chishti. Owaisi presented the award to Naeem Bazidpuri who received the award on behalf of Chishti. Poor health prevented Chishti from attending the event. Later, the Salar-e-Millat excellence awards were presented to Mohd. Ubaidur Rahman, vice president; Hasan Bayazid, advisor; Yousufuddin Amjad, spokesperson; Mirza Mazher Ali Baig, advisor; and Mohd Abdul Qayyum, general secretary; for their long-term dedication toward BIJ. The mushaira was inaugurated with the traditional lighting of the candle by Owaisi in the presence of Dr. Rahat Indori and Mahmood Suhail Qadri. The event started with the recitation of verses from the Qur'an by Mohammed Noor followed by a soul touching Na'at (couplets in praise of Allah) by Hafiz Salim Qadri. Indian poets who presented their work in different genre included Dr. Rahat Indori, Khalid Hashmi, Rayees Qasmi, Hashim Fairozabadi, Sabah Balrampoori, Dr. Syed Aijaz Hussain Madrasi and Typical Jagtyali along with prominent local poets Bazidpuri, Mohammed Farhatullah Khan Farhat, Mahtab Qadr, Altaf Sheheryar, Faisal Tufail, Dr. Mohd Karim Biyabani and Afsar Barabankwi. The Mushaira was anchored very professionally by Aslam Farshori. Here are some couplets that enchanted the audience: Mohammed Farhtullah Khan Farhat, a mathematics teacher at IISJ, initiated the mushaira session with his couplet: Dushmani Ka Irada Sada Chor Do Choti Si Zindagi Hai Gila Chor Do Saath Jeenay Ka Hai Khwab Dono Taraf Aane Jaane Ka Bus Raasta Chor Do Afsar Barabankwi: Mutarif Hoon Mere Lafzoun Mein Kami Rehti Hai Uski Rehmat Se Magar Baat Bani Rehtee Hai Apni Parwaz Na Do Bazoun Per Jaane Do Baat Jab Aan Ki Aajaye To Sar Jaane Do Tan-e Tanha Hi Sahib Ran Mein Utar Jaane Do Mujh Ko Taariq Ke Safhoun Mein Bikhar Jaane Do Dr. Mohammed Kareem Beebani, a doctor by profession, expressed the fusion of Arabic and Urdu culture and its humorous affect in his couplet: Haris Ne Ek Din Naye Sawag Se Kaha Foul Wa Tameez Khaanay Se Aajati Hai Tameez Aur Thobe Kya Hai Apna Hi Quami Libaas Hai Dono Hi Is Mein Mix hain Shalwar Aur Khameez Faisal Tufail lamented the agonies and contradiction of human existence in his ghazal: Waqt Ki Lao Ko Rawaani Se Nikala Jaye Chand Lamhoun Ko Giraani Se Nikala Jaye Mujhko To Kheench Liya Hai Dast e Junoon Ne Laikin Ab Mera Aks Bhi Paani Se Nikala Jaaye Muddatoun Iski Raqabat Ko Saha Hai Humne Ab Ye Kirdaar Kahani Se Nikala Jaaye Altaf Shehreyaar, was very much liked by the audience. He was welcomed with thunderous applause. He woke up the audience with his political satire. Yeh Vande Matram Kehna, Yeh Bharat Maa Ki Jaye Kehna Sabhi Ko Hai Pata Kaisi Riyakari Ka Naara Hai Laboun Pe Jinke Hindustaan Zindabad Rehta Hai Hamari Sarfaroshi Ka Wafadaari Ka Naara Hai Guzre Din Raat Bhool Jaate Hain Ab Bigde Haalat Bhool Jaate Hain Youn To Har Shehar Yaad Rakhte Hain Aur Gujarat Ko Bhool Jaate Hain Ab Musibat Mein Mujhe Apna Ye Ghar Lagta Hai Jaan Afat Mein To Khatre Mein Ye Sir Lagta Hai Ab Sher Aajaye Muqabil Mein To Koi Baat Nahin Gaaye Peeche Se Guzar Jaye To Darr Lagta Hai Khaled Hashmi in his maiden visit to Saudi Arabia left a great mark on the audience: Bagahir E Fazle Khuda Youn Na Thi Jo Koi Baat Ba Fazle Rab Wahi Inaam Ki Nikal Aayi Bani Zari Hai Deedaar e Kaba O Taiba Ye Shayeri To Bade Kaam Ki Nikal Aayi Sabab Ye Hai Jo Dariya Ki Pashemani Nahin Jaati Ke Meri Pyaas Ab Peene Wahan Paani Nahin Jaati Agar Hamla Awaroun Ki Shart Hum Manzoor Kar Lete Hamari Hi Nahin Tippu Ki Sulatni Nahin Jaati Mohammed Iqbal Belan a humorous poet, provided some comic relief after a very serious session charged with political and current social issues. His sarcasm of mixing European culture into Indian culture enthralled the crowd. Ye Kaisa Daur Hai Pyaare, Ye Kaisi Mehengayi Re Kapde Ki Kheemat Se Badh Kar Kapde Ki Silwai Re Angrezi Medium Ki Bo, Main Urdu Medium Ki Shaidi Re Bache Tata Bolre Joru Bye Bye Dr. Syed Aijaz Hussain Madrasi narrated the spirit of true love in his ghazal: Jisko Sab Kehte Hai Jannat Hai, Jisko Sab Kehte Hai Mohabbat Hai Cheez Woh Sabse Kheemti Hai Haan Magar Jismein Kuch Khuloos Nai Ho Woh Mohabbat Nahin Siyasat Hai Mahtab Qadr showed his political depth and his revulsion towards terror and the present day violent political culture with the following lines : Miyan Hum Shayeri Se Pyar Ke Parcham Banate Hain Jinhe Insaaf Se Nafrat Hai Woh Insaan Bomb Banate Hain Tashadud Zulm Ki Sab Daastanein Jodh Rakhta Hain Hamare Daur Ke Bachche Naye Album Banate Hain Raees Qasmi, who came to the Kingdom for the first time from Malegaon, expressed his spiritual thought and patriotism with the following couplets: Kisi Ka Darr Nahin Mujhko Alan Elaan Likha Hai Watan Per Jaan Dedoun Bus Yahin Armaan Likha Hai Mai Houn Bharat Ka Bashinda Yahin Pehchaan Hai Meri Meri Dil Ki Har Ek Sarhad Pe Hindustan Likha Hai Ameeri To Numaish Bhi Riyahkaari Bhi Karti Hai Ghareebi Sabr Ke Tukdoun Pe Iftaari Bhi Karti Hai Aur Woh Jis Wardi Ki Pooja Ho Rahi Hai Dil Ke Mandir Mein Wahi Wardi Bhi Watan Ke Saath Gaddari Bhi Karti Hai Typical Jagtyali again broke the monotony of serious environment with his political satire and humor. Har Koi Matlab Ki Qidmat Karsakta Jahil Aur An Padh Bhi Siyasat Karsakta Azaadi Hai Apne Mulk Mein Yaaro Chai Bechne Waala Bhi Hukumat Karsakta Hashim Ferozabadi took the session from humor to spirituality he expressed his belief in oneness of Allah and the greatness of Prophet (peace be upon him) and his daughter: Aur Bhi Betiyaan Hai Jahan Mein Aur Bhi Maayen Hai Biwiyaan Hain Sayeda Fatima Jaisi Lekin Dono Aalam Mein Aurat Nahin Hai Bus Nabi Ke Liye Hi Jiyen Gaye Bus Nabi Ke Liye Hi Marein Gaye Koi Ungli Uthaye Nabi Per Ye Kisi Ko Ijazat Nahin Hai Zulm Aur Jabr Ka Maahol Badalna Hoga Dostoun Jazbaye Isaar Mein Dhalna Hoga Tumko Rehna Hai Zamaane Mein Izzat Se Sirf Islam Ke Khanoon Pe Chalna Hoga Aslam Farshori, a very well-known name in Urdu literature, showed the character and strength of Indians and their ethos in his poem: Ye Aur Baat Mera Zikr Woh Karta Hai Nafrat Se Ye Uski Meherbaani Jo Mujhe Yaad Rakhta Hai Uski Baatoun Ka Bharosa Nahin Karte Hum Log Phir Bhi Chahat Ko Masoosa Nahin Karte Hum Log Dost to Dost Hai Dushman Bhi Agar Ghar Aaye Zeher Nafrat Ka Parosa Nahin Karte Hum Log Sabah Balampoori also praised the greatness of Prophet and his teaching: Talaash Karti Rahi Magar Nahi Aaya Koi Bhi Tujhsa Zamaane Mein Nazar Nahi Aaya Zaroor Koi Na Koi Kami Rahi Hogi Isi Liye To Dua Mein Asr Nahi Aaya Zameen Pe Yun To Farishte Bhi Aaye Hain leikin Nabi Kay Jaisa Koi Bhi Bashr Nahin Aaya Dr. Rahat Indori, for whom the audience braved the hot, humid and suffocating siituation in the auditorium, then took centerstage to a rousing welcome. His ghazal on his being an Indian and the pride of human existence certainly proved that he is master of his craft and stood tall above the rest. His sense of poetry, his use of allegory, similes and metaphor showed his mastery and class. He opened his poetry on a very high note with his couplet: Faisla Jo Kuch Bhi Ho Manzoor Hona Chahiye Jung Ho Ya Ishq Ho Bharpoor Hona Chahiye. Kat Chuki Hai Umar Saari Jinki Pathar Tod tay Ab To In Haathoun Mein Kohinoor Hona Chahiye Masiha Dard Ke Hamrdard Hojaye to Kya Hoga Rawadaari Ke Jazbe Sard Hojayen To Kya Hoga Jo Ye Lakhoun Croroun Waqt Ke Namaazi Hai Agar Sachmuch mein Dehestgard Hojayen To Kya Hoga Hum Apni Jaan Ke Dushman ko Apni Jaan Kehte Hain Mohabbat Ki Isi Mitti Ko Hindustan Kehte Hain Mere Andar Se Ek Ek Karke Sab Kuch Hogaya Ruksat Magar Ek Cheez Baaqi Hai Jisse Imaan Kehte Hain Jo Aaj Saahib-E-Masnad Hain, Kal Nahin Honge, Kiraayedaar Hain Zaati Makaan Thodi Hai Sabhi Ka Khoon Hai Shaamil Yahan Ki Mitti Mai Kisi Ke Baap Ka Hindustan Thodi Hai Lagegi Aag To Aayenge Ghar Kai Zad Mein Yahan Pe Sirf Hamara Makaan Thodi hai Despite high temperature and humidity the audience showed their resilience, patience and love for Urdu poetry and remain glued to their seats for five long hours. BIJ Advisor Mirza Mazhar Ali Baig thanked all the sponsors and Syed Khaja Viqaruddin thanked the audience who made this event successful. Earlier BIJ team had felicitated all the participating poets.
