Edmonton Hosts a Memorable Mushaira Celebrating Urdu Literature and Poetry

EDMONTON, ALBERTA – November 7, 2026:

The city of Edmonton witnessed a memorable evening of Urdu poetry and literary expression on November 7, 2026, as prominent poets and literature enthusiasts gathered for a grand Mushaira organized through the joint collaboration of the Halqa-e-Fikr-o-Fun Edmonton and Bazm-e-Sukhan Edmonton.

The event brought together established literary figures, poets from Calgary and Edmonton, and members of the Urdu-speaking community to celebrate the richness of Urdu language, poetry and cultural traditions.

The Mushaira was presided over by renowned Urdu poet Khalid Irfan, who is widely recognized for his distinctive contribution to humorous and satirical poetry. Originally from Karachi, Khalid Irfan is regarded as one of the prominent contemporary voices in Urdu humour and satire. His sharp observations, spontaneous wit, engaging presentation and thought-provoking poetry added a special dimension to the gathering, drawing enthusiastic appreciation from the audience.

Dr. Sikandar Ali Mutrib attended as the guest of honour and presented his thoughtful and captivating poetry. His literary expression and beautifully composed verses further enriched the evening and received warm appreciation from those in attendance.

The proceedings were conducted by Dr. Hina Amberin Tariq, whose graceful hosting, eloquent expression and literary insight maintained the spirit and flow of the programme. She also presented her own poetry, adding another artistic contribution to the gathering.

Poets who travelled from Calgary especially for the occasion included Shiraz Mehdi, Suman Tariq and Sohail Iqbal. Their participation and poetic presentations brought additional diversity and depth to the Mushaira.

Representing Edmonton’s literary community, Dr. Imtiaz Haroon, Dr. Syed Sajjad, Waqar Ahmed and Yasmin Ejaz also presented their selected poetry. Their performances reflected different dimensions of contemporary Urdu literature and demonstrated the continued enthusiasm for poetry among the local community.

Dr. Kishwar Ghani, President of Bazm-e-Sukhan Edmonton, welcomed the distinguished guests, participating poets and audience members. She expressed her sincere appreciation for their presence and contribution to the literary gathering. She also presented her own poetry, which was warmly received.

At the conclusion of the programme, Dr. Kishwar Ghani thanked all the distinguished guests, poets, organizers and participants for making the evening successful and memorable.

Beyond being a traditional poetry gathering, the Mushaira represented a meaningful celebration of language, culture, identity and literary heritage. Such events play an important role in preserving Urdu literary traditions and introducing the beauty of Urdu poetry to younger generations growing up in Canada.

For immigrant communities, language and literature serve as important links with their cultural roots. Mushairas provide an opportunity for people to reconnect with their heritage while creating a shared cultural space for poets, writers and literature lovers from different backgrounds.

The joint initiative of Halqa-e-Fikr-o-Fun Edmonton and Bazm-e-Sukhan Edmonton demonstrated the commitment of the local literary community to promoting Urdu language and strengthening cultural connections through poetry.

The November 7 gathering will undoubtedly be remembered as a special literary evening in Edmonton, reflecting the enduring appeal of Urdu poetry and the dedication of those working to keep its traditions alive in Canada.

BWtimes Canada