Renowned politician and poet Imran Pratapgarhi made his entrance to the venue in a horse-drawn carriage (bagghi).
Guest poets arrived in limousines,
while the Guest of honour Dr. Shamsa Qureshi, made her grand entrance in a Rolls-Royce.
This was the most expensive and royal-style Mushaira in the history of the United States.
It also marked Imran Pratapgarhi’s first Mushaira in America.
BRIDGING BORDERS THROUGH POETRY: AL-NOOR INTERNATIONAL
MUSHAIRA “PEACE & UNITY 2025”IN DALLAS.
The Serene Event Center in Plano, Texas, was the venue for a remarkable evening of literary and cultural expression as Al-Noor International hosted its flagship event, entitled “Peace & Unity”. This Mushaira 2025, on Saturday, April 26 was attended by a diverse audience from across the Dallas-Texas and beyond. This event featured some of the most prominent names in Urdu poetry, headlined by acclaimed Indian poet and political figure Imran Pratapgarhi ( Member of parliament) the celebrated poetess Lata Haya from India and the distinguished Suhail Zarrar from England.
The Mushaira—a traditional symposium of Urdu poetry—drew over 450 attendees, including poetry enthusiasts, scholars, families, and members of the South Asian diaspora. Organized annually by Al-Noor International, a Texas-based cultural organization led by Dr. Noor Amrohvi, Urdu poetry has long been a bridge between generations and geographies, and Al-Noor International continues to play a vital role in preserving this heritage in North America.
The venue, Serene Event Center, provided an elegant and intimate atmosphere for the evening. Mr. Imran Partapgarhi was honored with VIP status, arriving in a horse-drawn carriage —marking a first time in the history of Dallas Texas A Rolls Royce car was specially arranged for the “Guest of Honor” Dr. Shamsa Qureshi to the venue, while other guest poets arrived in a stretch Limousine. Traditional decor, ambient lighting, a cold sparkle (electric firework) enhanced the atmosphere. A double-row reception line, flanked by respectful attendees and uniformed guards offering a ceremonial welcome, underscored the event’s grandeur. The setting was ideal for a night dedicated to literature and linguistic artistry.
It is a tradition of Al-Noor International to present something different and unique every year for the community whether it is Mushaira in the city or is on the cruise. One of the special things that was all stage participants , organizers, Poets wore black sherwanis, while the women wore elegantsarees adding a regal touch that left a lasting impression.
Following lavish eight-course dinner, the Mushaira commenced around at 9:00 p.m. and continued until midnight. The evening’s program began with a word of thank you to the audience by Shah Alam Asar, Coordinator and later a warm welcome by Dr. Amrohvi, who emphasized the importance of literary gatherings in preserving linguistic heritage. His opening recitation set the tone for an evening dedicated to thoughtful, emotionally resonant, and socially conscious poetry. Our most dedicated volunteer and member of Al-Noor International, Sujata Rajput, gracefully announced and welcomed each guest poet to the stage with flower bouquets and a shower of rose petals as they walked through the reception line with reception team,
The mushaira began with local poets like, Masood Quazi, Shah Alam Asar, Dr. Hameed Sheikh, Pramod Rajput, Tariq Hashmi, ijaz Sbeikh , Shah Ghazali, Nahid Shad, Aman Khan Dil, Dr. Shamsa Qureshi and Dr. Noor Amrohvi. After local poets
The centerpiece of the night was the appearance of Imran Pratapgarhi, whose poetry is renowned for its lyrical quality, political engagement, and deep connection to cultural identity. Pratapgarhi’s performance received multiple standing ovations, with audience members responding enthusiastically to his verses that addressed themes such as justice, migration, love, peace and patriotism.
In addition to Pratapgarhi, the stage was graced by a diverse roster of poets representing a range of generations and geographies, including contributors from India, Pakistan, England and the United States. Each poet brought their unique voice to the evening, offering reflections on topics as varied as loss, faith, resilience, and belonging.
The Mushaira served not only as a literary gathering but also as a unifying cultural event. Attendees spanned multiple age groups, from elders familiar with the classical traditions of Urdu verse to younger generations experiencing the art form live for the first time. Many attendees described the evening as deeply moving and significant, particularly in a diasporic context where cultural traditions often risk being diluted. “This kind of event reconnects us with our roots,” said one attendee. “Hearing the poetry in its original form, surrounded by others who understand its depth—it’s invaluable.”
The event was structured to allow each poet ample time on stage, with the audience maintaining a respectful and engaged silence, interrupted only by applause and appreciative exclamations. The strong turnout and attentive crowd reflected the community’s appetite for high-quality literary programming.
From a logistical standpoint, the Mushaira was executed with professionalism. The Serene Event Center, with its refined ambiance and excellent acoustics, proved to be an ideal venue. The impressive décor was a result of the skillful workmanship by A-to-Z Party Depot,
The event’s success was also due to a dedicated team of volunteers and organizers who ensured smooth registration, seating, and transitions between performances. The program ran on time and maintained a cohesive flow, allowing the evening to build toward its peak moments organically. Success always prevails with the hard work of dedicated team members and supporters. It is worth mentioning that Dr. Shamsa Qureshi is a prominent member, patron of Al-Noor International and she supports in every literary event organized by Al-Noor International. Dr. Shamsa is a backbone of our community. She is a great poetess. Another name as a dedicated supporter is pramod Rajput and his wife Mrs. Sujata Rajput. Pramod Rajput is a well-known popular poet not only in the USA but also in India. His poetry is popular among the members of the Indian cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Narindra Modi Pramod not only supports the event but also logistically. Shah Alam Asar is another gold in the team who controls the management and coordinates all the events under Al-Noor International. He is a tireless hard worker of the team.
Dallas Texas “Melody Queen” Shazia Khan, who has a great experience to conduct live events and broadcasting of any kind of programs. She is a permanent member of Al-Noor International and without her involvement in the program the success cannot be achieved. She conducted the Mushaira of local poets from the beginning to end.
One more pillar of Al-Noor International is a successful young businessman Shawkat Muhammad, who always stand by the organization and supports the event. He is very active member of our Asian community .
After the conclusion of local poets performances, a few minutes were spared to acknowledge and honor with the awards to Mr. Iftekhar Shareef, Dr. Shamsa Qureshi, Imran Partapgarhi, Lata Haya, Raja Zahid Khanzada, Shazia Khan, Suhail Zarrar, Akram Syed, and Nabi Kalwar. A group of young boys’ and girls’ volunteers were also awarded with $100 cash for their outstanding services in the event by the Chief of the Al-Noor International Dr. Noor Amrohvi.
In a touching moment, Guest of honor famous Dimond merchant S.K. Mittal surprised Dr. Amrohvi with a set of “ real Denim diamond bracelet & ring” in recognition of his contribution to literature and his efforts to promote unity among the subcontinent diaspora living in the USA.
While presenting this gift to Dr. Noor Amrohvi, Mr. Mittal expressed himself emotionally, saying:
“Noor Amrohvi is like a younger brother to me, and I love him because the respect and affection he has earned in this community and this city is unmatched by anyone else so far. And what could be a greater proof of this than the fact that, for today’s mushaira, Noor Amrohvi set a dress code of black sherwani for all poets and guests—and amazingly, everyone followed it. Everyone wore a black sherwani and gave importance to his request. Even I, who have never worn a sherwani in my life, wore a black sherwani today for the first time.
Dr Noor Amrohvi has done a lot for the community. He always works towards Hindu-Muslim brotherhood and harmony. He has turned this mushaira into a symbol of unity and given it a meaningful purpose. Our community is in dire need of community leaders like Dr. Noor Amrohvi.”
Dr. Noor Amrohvi personally conducted the international Mushaira segment, introducing each poet with heartfelt respect. Each verse was met with thoughtful applause and occasional emotional responses from the audience, which remained fully engaged throughout the night.
The 2025 Mushaira reaffirmed the vital role of cultural institutions in sustaining and advancing the Urdu language in diaspora communities. In a time when much of public discourse is shaped by rapid digital communication, events like these offer a slower, more meaningful form of engagement—one rooted in listening, reflection, and shared heritage.
Dr. Noor Amrohvi, in his closing remarks, emphasized the ongoing mission of Al-Noor International to foster a love for Urdu literature among younger generations. He thanked the
poets, attendees, and supporters, and expressed hope for continued community investment in literary and cultural events..
Lastly, mentioning the great personality residing in Dallas Mr. Irfan Ali, is like holding a lamp to the sun. Mr. Irfan Ali is recognized Dallas area as a social worker and a patron of literature. He is a mentor of Al-Noor International and has been associated with the organization since its inception.
The Al-Noor International Mushaira 2025 not only celebrated the art of Urdu poetry but also demonstrated its enduring relevance. In a world increasingly divided by language and borders, this evening of shared expression and understanding stood out as a powerful reminder of the unifying force of literature.
By Shah A Siddiqui
