KARACHI: A meeting to honour the poet Ansarul Haq Qureshi, known as Gohar Azmi, was held at the Arts Council on Tuesday.

Mr Azmi, an engineer by profession, is an acknowledged Naat poet, author of seven collections and of another three to appear soon.

Dr Farman Fatehpuri, in his presidential speech, narrated the early history of Naat poetry in Arabic and admired Goher Azmi for his Naats written to benefit the society and educate the masses.

He said the Holy Prophet (PBUH) did not like the kind of poetry meant to describe his personal charm, but encouraged poets to write for the glory of Islam.

Jazib Qureshi read out a paper on Urdu’s Naat poetry, traced its history from Wali to Maulana Hali and from Iqbal to the poets of the present times. He said Naat was the most popular genre of poetry and many poets were known only by the merits of their Naats.

Rizwan Siddiqui paid a glowing tribute to Gohar Azmi for his collections — Hazoor Meray, Sanai Rasool, Seerat-i-Pak and others, some of them awarded by the ministry of religious affairs.

Gohar Azmi presented some of his verses written with the sole message to reform the society, religion being the main theme. Earlier Naqqash Kazmi introduced the poet and compared the proceedings.

Tahir Sultani recited the verses written to honour the poet of the evening. Zeeshan Tahir recited some Naats written by Gohar Azmi to the pleasure of everyone. His presentation was admirable.

The Arts Council has planned to acknowledge three famous Naat poets, the first being Qamar Warsi. A meeting to honour Qamar Warsi was held on Monday with noted writer Dr Syed Abul Khair Kashfi in the chair and Afaq Siddiqui as chief guest. They both spoke eloquently on Warsi’s Naats. Some others who spoke on the occasion included Noor Ahmed Meerathi, Sajjad Sukhan and Azizul Hasan. Qamar Warsi recited his Naats and enlivened the evening.—H.A.