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Top poets arrive for mushaira

DUBAI - Prominent poets from India and Pakistan will start arriving today for the international Urdu mushaira to be held at the World Trade Centre in Dubai tomorrow, according to Shahida Jafri, chief coordinator.

The mushaira is being organised by the Majlis-e-Farogh-e-Urdu Adab in memory of the poet Joan Eliah, who was very popular in the UAE.

"The inimitable Pakistani poet who died early this year had a special bond with Dubai," she said. "He was very popular here among ghazal lovers and a special mushaira `Jashn-e-Joan Eliah' was held in his honour in Dubai in 1990. The poet's first collection of poetry, Shayad, was also launched here."

Noted poet Ahmed Faraz will preside over the mushaira. Lyricists who will recite their works at the gathering of poets include Dr Pirzadah Qasim, Amjad Islam Amjad, Ataul Haq Qasmi, Prof Inayat Ali Khan, Azm Behzad, Aslam Kolsari, Ajmal Siraj, Ayub Khawar, Rashid Noor and Ambreen Habib from Pakistan; and Nida Faazli, Wasim Barelvi, Mairaj Faizabadi, Manzar Bhopali, Popular Meeruthi, Azhar Inayati, Charan Singh Bashar and Sunita Reena from India.

"True to the late Salim Jafri's mushaira tradition, this time also we will try to maintain the best standards," Shahida said. Those interested in attending the event may contact 050-6500762 and 050-6945605.