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Three-Language Naat Recital Held in Peshawar Under the Auspices of Abasin Arts Council
STAFF REPORTER
PESHAWAR : A three-language Naat recital was organized by the Abasin Arts Council Peshawar at the Mini Theatre Hall of the Provincial Culture Department to mark the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Renowned poets and writers presented Naat in Urdu, Hindko and Pashto, expressing their love and devotion to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Provincial Director of Culture Syed Muhammad Ali Shah was the chief guest, while President of the Abasin Arts Council Peshawar, Professor Dr. Ejaz Hassan Khan Khattak, presided over the event.
The programme began with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Senior Vice President of the Abasin Arts Council, Khwaja Yawar Naseer. Tabinda Farukh presented a Hamd written by her mother, Bushra Farukh, while Mushtaq Hassan recited a Naat by Dr. Ejaz Hassan Khattak.
Literary Adviser Aziz Ejaz delivered the welcome address and thanked the chief guest and other participants for attending the event. He also welcomed the guests and highlighted in detail the literary and cultural services rendered by the Abasin Arts Council.
Syeda Zartaj Bukhari, Dr. Khadim Ibrahim, Faiza Shehzad, Dr. Roshan Kaleem, Rubina Moeen, Abad Hassan Khattak, Aseer Mangal, Samina Qadir, Kulsoom Zaib, Engineer Atiq-ur-Rehman, Professor Nasir Ali Syed, Bushra Farukh, Aziz Ejaz and Professor Dr. Ejaz Hassan Khattak presented Naats in Urdu, Hindko and Pashto. Their performances were warmly appreciated by the audience.
Professor Nasir Ali Syed, who had returned from a foreign trip earlier the same day, also attended the recital especially for the occasion. Wajahat Nazir, son of late Dr. Nazir Tabassum, presented a Naat written by his late father, which was received with great respect and appreciation.
In his presidential address, Professor Dr. Ejaz Hassan Khattak highlighted the activities of the Abasin Arts Council and thanked Director of Culture and Tourism Muhammad Ali Shah for attending the event. He expressed hope that the Culture and Tourism Authority would continue to encourage and support the literary and cultural activities of the Abasin Arts Council. Dr. Ejaz Khattak also presented his own Naat in English and Pashto.
Chief Guest Syed Muhammad Ali Shah appreciated the organization of the three-language Naat recital and paid tribute to the poets of Urdu, Hindko and Pashto. He announced that, with the cooperation of the Culture and Tourism Authority, university students would also be invited to participate in such literary gatherings in the future. He assured the Abasin Arts Council of the authority’s continued support in this regard.
Members of the Abasin Arts Council’s executive committee, Honorary General Secretary Jehangir Zeb Malik, and a large number of poets, writers and literary figures attended the event.
The programme was conducted by Abasin Arts Council Media Adviser Naz Parveen. The gathering concluded with appreciation for the council’s efforts to promote literary and cultural activities and provide a platform for poets to express their devotion to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
National
Ethiopian Embassy Highlights Growing Pakistan-Ethiopia Partnership
Fizza Qaisar
ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of Ethiopia in Islamabad celebrated Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year, and Hibir Ken (Unity in Diversity Day) with national zeal and fervor under the theme “Diversity: Ethiopia’s Adornment.”
The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, parliamentarians, government officials, representatives of the business community, media, civil society and members of the Ethiopian community in Pakistan.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Masood Malik graced the occasion as the chief guest, while Advisor and National Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Tourism Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan and Additional Secretary (Africa) Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan attended as guests of honour.
Ambassador of Ethiopia to Pakistan Dr. Oumer Hussien Oba welcomed the guests and conveyed warm Ethiopian New Year greetings to all those present.
In his remarks, Ambassador Oumer highlighted the cultural and historical significance of Enkutatash, which is associated with the blooming of the Adey Abeba flower. He noted that Ethiopia has preserved its distinctive heritage, including the Ge’ez calendar and alphabet, and emphasized the country’s historical identity and cultural diversity.
The Ambassador said the New Year’s message of hope, resilience and a bright future reflected the growing relationship between Ethiopia and Pakistan. He highlighted the importance of Pakistan’s Look Africa and Engage Africa policies, as well as ongoing cooperation in economic and environmental fields.
He thanked Dr. Musadik Malik for his continued support and formally invited Pakistan to support Ethiopia’s hosting of COP32 in Addis Ababa in 2027, stressing the need for stronger climate cooperation among countries of the Global South.
Ambassador Oumer also paid tribute to Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan on his retirement, appreciating his contribution to strengthening Pakistan-Africa and Ethiopia-Pakistan relations and wishing him success in his future endeavors.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister Dr. Musadik Masood Malik extended warm Ethiopian New Year greetings and appreciated Ethiopia’s economic and green transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed.
Recalling his participation in Ethiopian New Year celebrations during his stay in Chicago, the Federal Minister described the Ethiopian people as warm and welcoming and praised the country’s vibrant culture.
Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, Advisor and National Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Tourism, appreciated the steady growth in bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Pakistan. He reiterated his commitment to further strengthening cooperation between the two countries across diverse sectors.
The celebrations provided an opportunity to highlight Ethiopia’s rich cultural heritage, diversity and traditions while reaffirming the friendly and growing ties between Ethiopia and Pakistan.
