A colourful literary afternoon brought together poets, writers and members of Calgary’s Urdu-speaking community during the Bazm-e-Zaidi Calgary International Mushaira 2026, held at Mirchi Restaurant. The event was organized by Bazm-e-Zaidi Calgary in collaboration with Bazm-e-Adab Society Calgary.
The literary gathering attracted poetry lovers from different communities and highlighted the importance of Urdu literature, culture and artistic expression in multicultural Calgary. Organizers said the purpose of the event was to promote literary activities among overseas Pakistanis and South Asians while providing a platform for both established and emerging poets.
Renowned literary personalities and poets from Canada, Pakistan and other countries participated in the Mushaira. The event featured noted names including Iftikhar Haider Kaghzi, Dr. Noor Syed, Khayal Mahmood Aamir, Shabbir Gul and Shazia Alam Ansari, who attended as special guests.
The organizing team also acknowledged the efforts of Dr. Hina Yasmeen and Imdad Noor Gul for their role in arranging the successful event. Community members appreciated the dedication of volunteers and organizers who worked to make the gathering memorable for attendees.
Several poets presented their latest poetry covering themes of love, migration, identity, peace and social harmony. Participants included Haider Iqbal, Dr. Syed Imam Naweed, Amir Mahmood Mian, Shazia Alam Shazi, Dr. Hina Ambreen Tariq, Nazar Abbas Nazar, Dr. Khalida Nasim, Samreen Nadeem Samar, Mohsin Iqbal Kazmi, Sohail Iqbal, Shahid Parvez Shahid, Jawad Gul, Subhan Ashraf Rana, Iqtidar Awan, Summan Tariq, Qazi Rashid Mateen Ahmad, Amtul Mateen Khan Ghazal, Syed Sohail Kashif, Javid Nizami, Virender Sethi Sargam, Ramesh Babu Saligram, Saima Riaz, Noman Tahir, Shakeel Ahmad Chughtai, Shaheen Kamal, Farat Hussain, Shiraz Mahdi Zia, Jamal Raja, Dr. Mukarram Ali Zaidi.
Audience members praised the quality of poetry and the atmosphere of unity created during the gathering. Many attendees said such literary events help preserve Urdu language and culture among younger generations living abroad. The Mushaira continued for several hours with participants receiving appreciation from the audience for their performances and literary contributions.
Organizers expressed hope that Bazm-e-Zaidi Calgary and Bazm-e-Adab Society Calgary would continue arranging similar literary and cultural programs in the future to strengthen community ties and encourage creative expression within Calgary’s diverse multicultural society.
Photo Courtesy: Sohail Kashif
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Assalam-o-Alaikum Zaidi Sahib – Appreciations for this colourful event in Calgary—thank you Dr, Zaidi. It is also appreciated that you made it possible to collect the conglomeration of “URDU LOVING'” personalities at one place.
in my opinion it was not the MAJLIS of only URDU-SPEAKING people as mentioned in para one of this news item. So please correct it. I see persons of different DIALECT SPEAKING people here .They all love Urdu