Officials presenting the Mansoor Azmi’s poetry collection book.
Doha, Qatar: Bazm-e-Urdu Qatar, the oldest literary organisation, which was established in 1959 and dedicated to promoting the Urdu language and literature, hosted the launch of the poetry collection “Khyalon Ki Saleeb” by Doha-based poet, Mansoor Azmi.
The event took place at the Maza in Doha.
Mansoor Azmi’s latest poetry collection was unveiled to a sophisticated audience, who gathered to celebrate poet’s artistic contributions. The ceremony was graced by the presence of dignitaries and Urdu enthusiasts, making it an unforgettable evening for poetry lovers in Qatar.
The programme commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Hafiz Saifullah Mohammadi. The event’s proceedings were conducted by Bazm’s General Secretary Iftekhar Raghib. One of the highlights of the evening was the insightful essay penned by Iftekhar Raghib, which received accolades from the audience.
Bazm-e-Urdu Qatar Chairman, Dr. Faisal Hanif said that the beauty of poetry lies not only in its ability to inspire and uplift but also in its capacity to challenge societal norms, stimulate critical thinking, and spark positive change in the world. He emphasised the power of imagination in the context of art and specifically how imagination fuels poetry quoting examples of classic Urdu poets, including Mir Taqi Mir, Ghalib, and Momin. This he said, enables poets to create vivid worlds and evoke powerful emotions and the process of engaging readers’ imaginations through evocative language and rich metaphors, making poetry a deeply personal experience.
Dr. Hanif expressed his views about Mansoor’s poetry and claimed that it delves into the multifaceted nature of the human experience embracing themes of hardship, authenticity, and romance, which Mansoor derived from his personal life and his time staying away from home for a long period of time.
Meanwhile, Bazm-e-Urdu Qatar President, Mohammad Rafiq Shad Akolvi provided his perspective on Azmi’s poetry and personality, highlighting the exploration of hardship as one of the remarkable aspects of the poetry, adding depth to the evening’s discussions. The poetic tribute given by Jamshed Ansari and Muzaffar Nayab further drew the audiences towards the fine characteristics of Masnoor’s work.
Expressing his gratitude, Mansoor Azmi extended heartfelt thanks to the officials of the organisation for their support. He delighted the audience by reciting one of his fine poems, which was met with applause.
Following the book launch, the stage was set for a mushaira. Mohammad Rafiq Shad Akolvi, Iftekhar Raghib, Muzaffar Nayab, Wazir Ahmed Wazir, Dr. Wasi Bastvi, Jamshed Ansari, Fayaz Bukhari Kamal, Shahzeb Shahab, and Muhammad Talal Fazil graced the stage and presented their poetic work.
The chief guest and patron of Bazm, Muhammad Salik Abdul Rehman, expressed his gratitude for being part of this special event and assured the organisation of his continued support in their endeavors. Dr. Khalil Shibli, patron of Bazm and a physician with fine literary sense, also expressed his delight and announced plans for organising more grand mushairas with Bazm’s support.
Moreover, Mansoor Azmi, took a stroll down memory lane, sharing incidents from his early days as a poet. President of the event, Mohammad Rafiq Shad Akolvi praised the event’s success and congratulated Mansoor Azmi on his literary achievements. He also highlighted the role of Bazm in promoting Urdu language and literature for the past six decades in Qatar and the Middle East.
