PESHAWAR, Aug 27: A group of Iranian Qaris who recited verses from the holy Quran added attraction to the Hindko Naatia Mushaira and Mehfil-i-Naat arranged by a literary cultural organisation Gandhara Hindko Board late on Friday night.

The Mushaira (poetry recital session) and Mehfil-i-Naat , held every year in the holy month of Ramazan, started at 10pm after the Taraveeh prayers on Friday night and continued till 1am on Saturday at the Milad House in Gulbahar Colony.

A noted religious figure Ghulamus Syedain Gilani aka Sher Agha was the chief guest at the function while Director General of the Iranian Culture Centre Syed Mohammad Zakiri also attended the event along with a group of five Qaris from his country.

A total of 12 Hindko poets from various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recited their poetry and expressed reverence for Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

The visiting Qaris from Iran, including Mohammad Jawad Rajai, Mohammad Hussain Baaqyan, Ghulam Raza Khalili, Ali Raza Khalili and Mohammad Jalali, recited verses from the holy Quran and won praise from the audience.

Noted Pakhtun scholar of the Persian language from Kohat, Prof Ghayyur Hussain, also attended the function.

On this occasion, Mr Zakiri stressed Muslim unity for facing challenges. He praised the organisers for arranging a function where the holy Quran was recited so beautifully and the love expressed for the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) through Naats .

The chief guest Syedain Gilani said that the salvation of Muslims was in following the teachings of the holy Quran. He exhorted the Muslims to unite by developing tolerance and respect for each other, as these were the essential requirements for peace.

Earlier, Gandahara Hindko Board general secretary Mohammad Ziauddin said that Hindko Naatia Mushaira was the permanent activity of the board, headed by Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi.

He said that the board had been working since its launch in 1993 for the promotion of Hindko.