A family mushaira was held on Saturday night at the Karachi Expo Centre in memory of renowned poet Ajmal Siraj, bringing together leading poets from across Pakistan and India and drawing a large audience of literature enthusiasts, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Sunday.
The event, titled Yaad-e-Ajmal Siraj Family Mushaira, was presided over by eminent writer and poet Professor Sehar Ansari, while the proceedings were jointly conducted by poets Najeeb Ayoobi and Abdul Rehman Momin.
Renowned Indian poet Manzar Bhopali participated in the mushaira through a special online link, adding an international dimension to the literary tribute.
Several prominent poets, including Dr Pirzada Qasim, Anwar Shuoor, Fazal Jameeli, Alauddin Khanzada Hamdam, Shahnawaz Farooqi, Khalid Irfan, Shahida Hassan, Fatima Hassan, Javed Saba, Khalid Moeen, Iqbal Khawar, Amberin Haseeb Amber, Seeman Naveed and Kamran Nafees, recited their poetry, which was warmly received by the audience.
Ameer-e-Karachi of Jamaat-e-Islami, Munam Zafar, also attended the event and said that literature and poetry play a vital role in promoting awareness, tolerance and intellectual harmony in society.
Throughout the mushaira, the hall resonated with applause as the audience appreciated the poetic renditions.
At the end of the ceremony, the organisers expressed their gratitude to the guest poets for making the event a memorable tribute to Ajmal Siraj.
Reporter: Rahil Baig