A beautiful Urdu Mushaira and Sham-e-Ghazal was held in Wollongong on Sunday 16 October 2011 at the Centre Health Complex, Barrack Heights. A large number of local guests, professionals and community members were present.Urdu Forum’s members and overseas guest poets Mr Haleem Qureshi and Syed Salman Gilani attended the function. The Wollongong function was presided by Janab Haleem Qureshi and hosted by Urdu forum’s General Secretary Mrs Huma Mirza.

Local poets Mrs Huma Mirza, Mr Rehan Alvi, Mrs Farhat Iqbal, Mr Sadiq Arif and Dr Shabbir Haider recited their poetry in the first session. Our friends in Wollongong are famous for their hospitality. They provided delicious dinner to all guests after the first session.

The "Sham-e-Ghazal" started with performances by Dr Pardeep Bal. Dr Bal is a medical practitioner but music is his passion. He sings Urdu ghazal with classical touch. He sang ghazals of famous Urdu poets, Ghalib, Faraz and Haleem Qureshi as well as local poets Dr Shabbir Haider, Mrs Kaneez Fatima Kiran, Mrs Farhat Iqbal and Mrs Huma Mirza, which he composed specially for this evening. Dr Bal was accompanied by two young artists, on Tabla and Gitar, who played very well and received applause from the audience. This beautiful evening will always be remembered by the guests and patrons.

Bazm-e-Adab Gold Coast and Urdu Forum Australia jointly organized the first International Urdu Mushaira in Gold Coast on Saturday 22 October 2011. Urdu Forum’s members Dr Shabbir Haider, Mrs Huma Mirza, Mrs Farhat Iqbal, Mr Iqbal Ali, Mr Arif Sadiq, Mrs Farrukh Sadiq and guest poets Mr Haleem Qureshi and Syed Salman Gilani travelled from Sydney to Gold Coast on Friday 21 October 2011.

The function was held in the new Helensvale Community Centre Hall. A large number of audience from Pakistani, Indian and Fijian communities was present. Janab Haleem Qureshi presided over the function and Prof. Ahmed Khalid was the host for the evening. Mrs Farhat Iqbal expressed sincere thanks and gratitude to the members of Bazm-e-Adab Gold Coast for their cooperation and efforts to organize this beautiful poetry recital within a short period of time. Urdu Forum Australia extends its sincere gratitude to Mr Athar Shah, Dr Abu-Bakar Khutri, Prof. Ahmed Khalid and Rana Shahbaz Khan for their support and generous hospitality.

Prof. Ahmad Khalid introduced the guest poets and started the first session with his ghazal. Faisal Syed recited a poem he has written in the memory of great Urdu poet Ahmad Faraz which was very well appreciated. Sohail Hasnain, Sohail Ahmad and Nadir Mazhar are young Urdu poets and their poetry reflected their deep understanding of social issues and human feelings particularly of those who are less privileged.

Dr Abu Bakar Khutri recited a ghazal that was very much liked by the audience. Janab Asadullah Tariq is a leading religious figure in Gold Coast as well as an accomplished Urdu poet. He presented a beautiful Naat and a ghazal. Mr Ahsan Maher recited two beautiful ghazals. He is also one of the young poets well known for his romantic poetry and Japanese-style three-line poems (hyco). It was a pleasant surprise to see a number of young poets presenting very good poetry and receiving warm appreciation from the audience.

Now it was Syed Gilani’s turn before the break and his comic poetry and humour was warmly welcomed and enjoyed by the audience. During the break, all guests and patrons were served with tea, coffee, drinks and refreshments.

The second session started with two beautiful ghazals by Mrs Huma Mirza. Mrs Farhat Iqbal recited a poem and her new ghazal which were liked by the audience. Mr Arif Sadiq also recited a poem and a ghazal. Syed Salman Gilani was requested to recite his poetry again and audience loved his comic ‘qitaas’, poems and parodies. Mr Fazal Hussain Urfi presented a poem (Roshni) and two beautiful ghazals. Dr Shabbir Haider recited his famous poem "Maan" (Mother) and also presented a ghazal with ‘tarranam’. Janab Najam Sibtain Hasni lived up to his reputation and presented beautiful ghazals in ‘teht’ as well as with ‘tarranam.’ It was almost mid-night when Janab Haleem Qureshi was requested to recite his poetry. Mr Qureshi recited beautiful gazals and audience thoroughly enjoyed his poetry.

After the Mushaira, we attended a sumptuous dinner at the water-side residence of Rana Shahbaz Khan. We had enjoyed a rich traditional Pakistani "Brunch’ at his residence in the morning. Urdu Forum Australia is highly grateful to Rana Shahbaz Khan, Mr Athar Shah and Prof Ahmad Khalid for their wonderful hospitality.

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