The Bazm-e-Urdu Qatar organised a book launch ceremony of the second collection of poems titled ‘Ambassadors of Love’ penned by Shiraz Ahmad Bakali, on the TNG School Secondary campus in Al Wakrah.
The book launch ceremony was followed by a poetry symposium (mushaira).
Deputy Head of Mission at the Pakistan Embassy Syed Mustafa Rabbani presided over the function while TNG School Chairman Mohammed Khalid Bakali and well-known local poet Iftikhar Raghib were the chief guests. Shiraz Ahmad Bakali, the author of the book, was the guest of honour.
The programme commenced with the recitation of Holy Quran by Hafiz Shayan Ahmed Bakali. The prose session was conducted by founder of TNG School Riyaz Ahmed Bakali while the poetry session was compered by Bazm-e-Urdu Qatar President Mohammed Rafique Shad Akolvi.
Bazm-e-Urdu Qatar Chairman Dr Faisal Hanif delivered the opening speech. Mohammed Rafiq Shad Akolvi, Dr Faisal Hanif, Iftekhar Raghib, Fayaz Bukhari Kamal, Isfandiar Ansari, Ayesha Mujahid, and Anwar Ali Rana presented their papers on the book.
Those who rendered their select poetry included Iftekhar Raghib, Shiraz Ahmad Bakali, Mohammed Rafiq Shad Akolvi, Muzaffar Nayab, Wazir Ahmed Wazir, Inam Azmi, Fayaz Bukhari Kamal, Anwar Ali Rana, Samreen Nadeem, Shahzeb Shahab, Mubasir Iman and Shabbar Ali.
Mohammed Khalid Bakali highlighted the poetic works of Shiraz Ahmad Bakali and expressed his gratitude to Bazm-e-Urdu Qatar and TNG School.
Syed Mustafa Rabbani emphasised the need to learn Urdu language and its importance in the context of culture. He appreciated the role of literary gatherings as these which, he noted, are vital to promoting Urdu language and literature.
Kainat Bakali acted as a programme coordinator, while vice president of Bazm-e-Urdu Qatar Waseem Ahmed proposed the vote of thanks.
