By: Shamim Shahid
TORONTO, Canada — On Sunday, November 1, 2026, hundreds of Afghans gathered in Toronto, Ontario, to honour renowned Afghan poet, writer, historian, and former Minister of Information and Culture Abdul Bari Jahani and to attend the launch and preview of the book Introduction to Khost. The distinguished academic, literary and cultural gathering was organised through the efforts of former governor and writer Abdul Jabbar Naeemi and his intellectual colleagues.
Guests began arriving at the venue at around 3:30 p.m., while the formal programme commenced at 4:00 p.m. Alongside Toronto-based Afghans, the event was attended by guests from other cities across Ontario and from various states of the United States. A large number of women, young people, poets, writers and literature enthusiasts gathered together on the occasion.
Former governor and writer Abdul Jabbar Naeemi welcomed the guests. University professor, poet and researcher Professor Lal Pacha Azmoon; Shah Mahmood Miakhel, head of the Leadership Council of the National Movement for Peace and Democracy in Afghanistan and political affairs officer of the Republican Movement; and former Afghan Minister of Economy Mustafa Mastoor participated in the speeches and discussions.
Former ambassador and former member of the Afghan Parliament Ms. Shinkai Karokhail, women’s rights activist Monisa Mubarez, and writer and journalist Sharifa Sharif also shared their views with the participants. Other speakers included Professor Siraj Momand, a politician from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and former head of the Pashtun Council in Canada; Ilyas Omid, president of the Nehad Omidbakhsh Canada; and former Deputy Speaker of the Afghan Parliament Haji Mohammad Nazir Ahmadzai. Messages from Afghanistan’s ambassador to Canada Hassan Sorosh, former ambassador Sharif Ghalib, and former Kabul University professor Masood Taqwa were also presented at the gathering.
The speakers discussed Abdul Bari Jahani’s poetry, historical research and cultural services. One of the most memorable moments of the event came when Mr. Jahani recited his own poems in his own voice following his speech. The audience warmly applauded his poetry. Hearing the renowned poet recite his verses far from his homeland filled the atmosphere with emotion, affection and enthusiasm.
During the book-preview session, Mr. Hamim Jalalzi introduced the contents of Introduction to Khost to the participants. The speakers particularly highlighted the importance of documenting the history, traditions and lives of the people of Khost. They noted that such works are especially valuable for young Afghans growing up outside Afghanistan who wish to learn about the regions, people and traditions of their homeland.
The speakers called on all patriots and people committed to national values to take fundamental and practical steps towards strengthening national unity. They urged Afghans to collectively speak out against negative ideas and narratives that promote mistrust and division among the people. They emphasised that Afghans can strengthen their unity by promoting positive thinking, respecting one another’s views and working together for shared national interests, thereby demonstrating the strength of that unity in practice.
The speakers and participants expressed their heartfelt appreciation to former governor Abdul Jabbar Naeemi and his intellectual colleagues for bringing together Afghanistan’s prominent poets, writers, women and young people at a gathering devoted to literature and national unity. They stressed the importance of continuing such gatherings so that Afghans from different regions can listen to one another, bring their ideas closer together, and encourage the younger generation to play an active role in preserving the literature and culture of their homeland.
