The occasion called for it. It was Eid al-Adha and the poets in town were looking for an opportunity to present their most recent works to the lovers of literature and poetry in Urdu language.
A large number of literature buffs from India and Pakistan gathered at a poetry symposium (mushaira) at local hotel to celebrate Eid al-Adha organised by Karwan-e-Urdu Qatar (KUQ), a newly established community organisation of Indian expatriates for the promotion of Urdu language.
The local poets, writers and literary personalities were joined by their compatriots from India and Pakistan who were invited to the event. After a sumptuous Eid dinner, the guests assembled in the hall to listen to their favourite local poets presenting their poems and ghazals (lyrical poem in Urdu). The Vice President of Karwan Dr Muhammad Aslam initiated the proceedings of the session with his introductory words.
He made way to the stage for the Founding President of Guzargahe Khayal and Chairman of Bazm-e-Urdu Qatar (BUQ) Dr Faisal Hanif who said it was great to see many women and children participating in the session. “I often bring my children to the sessions and they often complain that they get bored because there are no other children of their age around them. I am very happy to see a lot more children today. It is important that we pass this beautiful gift of Urdu language on to our next generation,” said Hanif.
He said the literary community in Qatar has been active in organising such gatherings regularly and the members actively take part in these sessions, however, the real job is to transfer this enthusiasm and the understanding of the importance of language to the younger generation.  
Hanif then invited the chief guest Haseebur Rehman Nadvi, the vice president of Karwan and the guest of honour Mohammed Omer Khan, who had come especially from India, to the stage.
As per the tradition, the session formally began with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Farooq Nadvi. Qari Ahmadullah presented a Na’at (a poem praising Prophet Muhammed PBUH), which was appreciated by the audience. The popular local singer Qazi Sahib then sang the official song of Karwan-e-Urdu Qatar which was recently penned by the Vice President of Karwan Rashid Ahmed Rashid recently.
The General Secretary of Karwan Mohammed Shahid Khan took to stage and conducted the programme where he invited different local poets one by one to present their recent collection of Urdu poems and ghazals. Speaking at the occasion, President of KUQ Atiq Anzar said that Karwan was formed with an open mind and everybody is invited to use this platform for the promotion of Urdu language and to present their work.
“The aim of KUQ, which is a relatively new organisation, is only to promote the local talent and provide the literary people with a platform to present and share their works with others. It is a purely literary organisation and we have no political, financial or religious agendas or affiliations,” clarified Anzar.
“We only work to promote Urdu language. We try to hold a literary session every month and we would try to hold at least two seminars on the same topic every year. We are planning to hold our first seminar on the topic of the role of poetic sessions in the promotion of Urdu,” he added.
Karwan is also planning to hold a grand session on Qatar National Day in December, where they would invite poets from India and Pakistan. In their seminars, Anzar told the audience, they invite local literary experts besides people from outside Qatar.
The guest of honour Mohammed Omer Khan from India praised the works of all the poets who presented their collection at the session. “I thank the management of Karwan for inviting me to this very soulful and literary session of Urdu poetry which indeed deserves praise,” said Khan. He also recited a few verses from the poems of Dr Allama Iqbal, the Urdu poet who is equally revered in India and Pakistan.
The chief guest at the occasion, Haseebur Rehman Nadvi, while speaking to the audience also thanked them for participating in the session in good numbers and making it a success.
Jaleel Nizami, Ateeq Anzar, Shad Akolvi, Maqsood Anwar Maqsood, Wazeer Ahmad, Wasiul Haq Wasi, Roaes Mumtaz, Rashid Alam Rashid, Qari Ahmadullah and many other poets presented their works.