PESHAWAR: Speakers at a literary event said that poetry recitation was a strong tradition as it played a pivotal role in shaping creative thoughts of youth.

They said that educational intuitions remained incomplete without co-curricular activities including sports, seminars, workshops and literary events covering several aspects of society. They added that poetry always motivated young minds to generate creative ideas and concepts.

The bilingual poetry recitation session was part of the weekly co-curricular activities of Institute of Education and Research (IER), University of Peshawar, arranged under the auspices of Students Society IER here on Thursday. Literati, scholars and academicians attended the event. More than 25 students enthralled the audience with their inspirational poems.

Senior faculty members including Prof Arshad Ai, Prof Asma Murad, Prof Parveen Ishaq, Prof Khisro and Aizaz Ali attended the event. Urdu and Pashto mushaira captivated the participants.

Bilingual mushaira held at Institute of Education and Research, UoP

Prof Hafiz Inamullah, the director of IER, chaired the event while Prof Abaseen Yousafzai and Prof Nasir Ali Syed were guests of honour at the function. Members of Students Society IER alongside 260 students attended the event.

Prof Inamullah on the occasion advised students to adopt habit of reading purposeful poetry and understand its contents as great poets played a significant role in carrying along the narrative of national integration and worldview.

Prof Abaseen Yousafzai in his remarks pointed out that national poet Allama Iqbal inspired youth through his powerful poetry and transmitted the message of exploring the world with strength of spiritual and intellectual integrity. Youth were yet to explore Rahman Baba and Khushal Khan Khattak, he said.

Student poet Rukhsana Aleem stole the show while another student Wagma Shahzeb Khattak earned appreciation from the audience for her motivational poems.

Prof Nasir Ali Syed stated that he was pleased to see young poets sharing their creative poetic pieces. He said that participation of female students in the event was quite encouraging. He added that poetry with vision, purpose of life and high targets should be read with great interest.

Student organisers including Aamir Khan and Mohammad Tayyab also spoke at the function while guest poets were given souvenirs and commendation certificates.

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2024