2nd Indo-Pak Yakjahtee Mushaira Held In Grand Style Lights Up Crystal City, Virginia. (July 10th, 2005)

June 25th, 2005 – Gehwarah-e-Adab, under the patronage of the MQM USA, held it’s second Indo-Pak Yakjahtee Mushaira at the Doubletree Hotel in Crystal City, Virginia. The evening started off at 9:00 pm after Maghrib prayers with the recitation of the Holy Quran. The event was presided over by former Radio Pakistan artist and a well-known local poet, Mr. Khurram Youseff Zai. The campering was carried out by Mr. Mansoor Usmani as well as Mr. Khurram Youseff Zai. The mushaira featured world-renowned poets from Pakistan and India such as, Professor Wasim Barelvi, Dr. Rahat Indori, Dr. Nasim Nikhat, Professor Jazib Qureshi, and Mr. Mansoor Usmani. The mushaira also featured 5 local poets from the Washington Metropolitan Area who greatly appreciated the chance to read their literature in front of the enthralled audience. People from all walks of life attended this event, including Pakistani business leaders, members from the Karachi Alumni Association, officials from the Pakistan Embassy, members and supporters of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, and local residents as well. Also in attendance were MQM USA Central Organizer, Ibad Rehman, MQM North America Caretaker and former APMSO Chairman, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, former Deputy Mayor of Karachi, Mr. Mateen Youseff, and MQM USA Central Organizing Committee Members Ajaz Siddiqui and Sabih Islam. Gehwarah-e-Adab organizers also provided refreshments throughout the event, which was jam-packed with over 200 people in attendance. The mushaira carried well into the night and ended at approximately 2:00 am. After the mushaira, MQM DC unit in charge, Mr. Amir Siddiqui got a chance to interview the poets to see what they had to say about Gehwarah-e-Adab and MQM in particular. The poets responded by stating that they really appreciate the efforts put forth by Gehwarah-e-Adab and the MQM to promote not only the Urdu literature and it’s history, but also the role MQM was playing to promote bilateral ties between India and Pakistan. The poets also stated that they were not aware of any other political party in either India or Pakistan that was doing so much for the betterment of ties between the two countries. The poets in a recorded statement thanked MQM Founder and Leader Altaf Hussain for the services the MQM has provided. The audience members also thanked the Gehwarah-e-Adab members for organizing such a glamorous event, which was free of cost to the public. Many audience members also registered their contact information with the MQM and encouraged the organizers to carry out more events that promote Urdu literature, peace, and harmony.