ISLAMABAD  - The Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) organized a Mehfil-e-Musalma here on Friday in connection with Muharram-ul-Haram.
Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, renowned literary figure Iftikhar Arif said there is no language spoken in Muslim countries equal to Urdu as for as the genre of Marsai is concerned.
He said it is encouraging that collections of Marsias appeared in a large number of Pakistani languages especially after independence.
“Not only that but the tradition is being followed by the younger generation and it has been attached to this spiritual inspiration source”, he stated.
Iftikhar Arif said Urdu has distinction to promote the genres like Hamd, Naat, Manqabat and Salaam since its inspersion.
Abdul Hameed Chairman PAL welcomed the guests and said the great sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) is luminary example for the whole humanity to follow.
He said the tragedy of Karbala made deep impacts on literature not only in Urdu but also other Pakistani languages.
“It is also note worthy that especially in Marsias written in different Pakistani languages human values and tradition have always been in the focus”, he remarked.
A number of famous poets presented their poetry in Mehfil-e-Musalma. including Iftikhar Arif, Prof. Ehsan Akbar, Anwar Masood, Wafa Chisti, Shakeel Jazib, Shahab Safdar, Tanveer Qadri, Saeed Doshi, Aftab Zia, Abid Sayyal, Ali Ahemed Qamar, Husnain Bukhari, Saqib Akbar, Moshin Skeikh, Arsh Hashmi and others.