NEWYORK: Sohni Watan Gilgit-Biltistan USA and Halqa-e-Fikro-Fun North America hosted a reception in honor of renowned poet Zafar Waqar Taj and a Mushaira was also held in which renowned poets recited their poetry.
The reception in honor of prominent poet of Gilgit-Baltistan, Zafar Waqar Taj was held at a local cafe in New York which began with the recitation of the Holy Quran.
A well-known literary figure of the Pakistani American community in New York Wakeel Ansari moderated the event, introduced the guests and welcomed them. He said that this was not just a reception but a meeting of two civilizations.
Many prominent personalities including Dr. Deedar Karim, Ateeq Siddiqui, Wasif Hussain Wasif, Noor Pamiri, Syed Momin Shah, Tahir Khan and Wasim Ahmed Khan participated in the reception.
Sohni Watan Gilgit-Baltistan Chairman Naseem Gilgit-Baltistan attended the event wearing special cultural dress.
Addressing participants, Naseem Gilgiti said that the government of Pakistan should fully encourage poets of local languages. He said that Zafar Waqar Taj is Khushal Khan Khattak of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Naseem Gilgiti also recited some poems by Zafar Waqar Taj.
A large number of literary figures, not only from Gilgit-Baltistan but also from the Pakistani community, participated in the ceremony.
Expressing their views, Ateeq Siddiqui, Noor Pamiri and Wasim Ahmed Khan said that if the number of speakers of the language is less, it cannot be well received.
They said that Zafar Waqar Taj has dedicated himself to the youth of Gilgit-Baltistan and those poets who are blessed with the land of Gilgit-Baltistan are lucky.
On this occasion, other speakers participating in the ceremony also expressed their views. The speakers said that Zafar Waqar Taj has made valuable contributions to Sheena literature.
They termed Zafar Waqar Taj as an asset to Gilgit-Baltistan and said that Zafar Waqar’s poetry played an important role in eliminating extremist tendencies among the youth.
Special guest of the event, Zafar Waqar Taj, also addressed the audience and said that Gilgit-Baltistan is a bouquet of many civilizations, cultures and languages. Zafar Waqar Taj also presented some of his poems to the audience.
A Mushaira was also held in which famous and prominent poets recited their poems. Later, Sohni Watan Gilgit-Baltistan and Halqa Fikr-o-Fun presented awards to special guests Zafar Waqar Taj and Wasim Ahmed Khan in recognition of their services. On this occasion, the participants also performed a cultural dance.
