DUBAI - The Pakistan Association Ladies’ Wing (PALW) organised an evening of Urdu poetry, titled “Shaam-e-Shairat” (An evening for poets), on December 2.
The mushaira (poetry session) was a pleasant change for lovers of Urdu poetry in the UAE. It was an evening with a difference as only poetesses recited their verses to an eager audience.
While prominent Pakistani poetess Kishwar Naheed from Islamabad presided over the mushaira, Sarwat Mohiuddin also from Islamabad, Fatima Hassan, Rehana Rohi and Rukhsana Saba from Karachi were especially invited to recite their poetry.
The poetesses representing the UAE included Sabiha Saba, Tasneem Abidi, Sarwat Zehra, Faiza Fiza, Farzana Sehab Mirza.
To give an exclusive touch of Urdu-Persian culture to the evening, prominent Dubai literary personality Mariam Behnam was also invited as a special guest. The guest of honour on the evening, Professor Sajjida Zaidi, is a well known poetess from India. Dr Sarwat Zehra conducted the mushaira.
Earlier, Naheed Nafees, chairperson of PALW, welcomed the guests. She told the audience that the mushaira was organised to join in the celebrations of the UAE National Day and to promote Urdu literature in this multilingual society.
The counsel general of Pakistan, Abdul Hameed Chaudhry, was the chief guest on the occasion.