Halqaa-e Arbaab-e Zauq’s online sittings gain ground

By Zaib Azkaar Hussain
(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

The online literary meetings of the Halqaa-e Arbaab-e Zaqu (HAZ), Karachi, have been gaining popularity among writers and scholars of different countries. 

These meetings are essentially being arranged through 'Zoom Cloud video conference' and attended not only but local writers but are also being joined by scholars, writers and poets from different parts of the country and different cities of foreign countries. 

A recent weekly sitting discussed creations of three writers who joined the meeting by online appearance and the participants including, the president of the meeting and other guests, brought to light the qualities and shortcomings through online appearances. 

The HAZ's separate meetings also discuss the books and collections of other creative works by numerous writers, journalists and photographers, playwrights, directors, artistes and directors. 

The HAZ has arranged traditional sittings (Mushaira) of poets in order to providing them an opportunity to recite their poetry. 

At a similar online sitting chaired by a prominent poet Shahzad Nayyar was attended was attended by Zahid Hussain Zahid Jauhari, who was chief guest on the occasion, Rehana Roohi, Shagfuta Shafiq, Najma Usman, Asghar Khan, Kamran Mughal, Asif Ali Asif, Kashif Ali Hashmi, Sarah Mehboob, Shahid Naqvi, Qamar Javed, Afzal Hazarvi, Surria Hayya, Faiqa Erum, Urooj Asif, Sajida Sultana, Humera Gul Tashna and others. 

Most of the poets presented poetry on prevalent situation and fears and apprehensions on the viral disease of coronavirus, killing a large number of people across the globe. 

A few other meetings thoroughly discussed the poetry work and prose work of different writers and journalists and photographers including Khalid Danish, Muhammad Asghar Khan and Khawaja Muhammad Azam and Rehana Roohi. 

The speakers including presidents of meetings Akram Kunjahi, Zahid Hussain Zahid Jauhari, Khalid Moin, Sajida Sultana, Humera Gul Tashna, Urooj Asif, Kashif Ali Hashmi, Sammaan Hussain, Sarah Mehboob, Naaz Arif Naaz, Sikandar Ali Rind and others threw light on the art of those who were recognized at the meeting by holding 'an evening' in their honour. 

An 'Urdu Khaaka' was presented by Asghar Khan on the art of Khalid Danish and a recorded message from renowned poet and critic Professor Sahar Ansari was conveyed to meeting that paid glowing tributes to Asghar Khan. 

Similarly another message from famous poet and scholar Ghulam Ali Wafa was conveyed in honour of Rehana Roohi that paid glowing tributes to Roohi for her meaningful Urdu poetry. Sajida Sultana read her Urdu 'khaaka' while praising Asghar Khan for his humorous writings and poetry. 

Faisal Josh who was chief guest at the meeting paid rich tributes to prominent photo-journalist Khawaja Muhammad Azam for his artistic work. 

Khalid Danish in his two different poems (written in 'sana'at e tosheh' eulogized the distinguished services of Muhammad Ahmed Shah rendered in the field of art and culture. 

Kamran Mughal presented his Urdu 'khaaka' on the work and literary role of Asghar Khan and highlighted his qualities and demerits on writings. 

At a tanqeedi nashist, Dr Shahid Zamir who presided over the meeting, threw light on three creations presented by Humera Gul Tashna (an Urdu poem titled 'Wajd'), an Urdu short story titled 'Wehdatul Shahood' by Sameena Mushtaq and an Urdu 'ghazal' by Dr Ambareen Hina Tariq and declared the creations as remarkable. Zahid Hussain Zahid Jauhari and Asif Ali Asif also termed the three creations as excellent works. 

At an earlier sitting Dr Xaigham Zamaan, who presided over the meeting, and Dr Arshad Rizvi, who was chief guest, appreciated Iffat Naveed for her short story depicting the role of a youngster collecting garbage while without caring of cornavirus disease. 

Mir Ahmed Naveed, a prominent poet, also attended the meeting and commended Iffat Naveed for her latest Urdu short story that painted the life of a weak character in words.