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“The Trinity of Culture, Poetry and Melody” – A community-driven celebration to mark Pakistan’s 80th Independence Day

DOHA, 14^th August 2026 – The Pakistani community in Qatar, in coordination with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Ministry of Culture of the State of Qatar, patriotically presented “The Trinity of Culture, Poetry and Melody” (تثلیثِ ثقافت، شاعری، اور نغمہ / ثالوث الثقافة والشعر واللحن). Held on 14 August 2026 at the historic Bayt Al Sulaiti cultural centre in Doha, the event commemorated Pakistan’s 80th Independence Day.

Organised by the community, for the community, this grand celebration united Pakistani families, professionals, and culture enthusiasts across Qatar to reconnect with their roots, celebrate their rich heritage, and strengthen unity and pride within the diaspora.

The event had three distinct segments: Arts Gallery, Urdu Mushaira and Cultural Melody show.

Ms Atiya Iqbal, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Pakistan, and Ms Nezha Slaoui from the Ministry of Culture inaugurated the Art Gallery, toured the exhibition, and discussed its significance with the artists.

The Art Gallery was led and organised by prominent community leader Ms Ghazala Zaman. The exhibition highlighted the artistic heritage of Pakistan and Qatar, featuring works by renowned artists Mala Waseem, Rida Asim, Gohar Arslan, Adnan Siraj, Mariyam Khan Baloch, Shehla Khalid Khan and Ghazala Zaman. Decorated with Pakistani arts and crafts, the gallery also commemorated the 150th birth anniversary of Pakistan’s founder, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, and the 500th anniversary of the Mughal era.

This occasion is especially profound as we honour two historic milestones, the 150th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah and the 500th anniversary of the Mughal era. As we toured the gallery and engaged with the artists, I was deeply moved by their passion and dedication in bringing our living heritage to life here in Qatar. –  

Said Ms. Atiya Iqbal, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Pakistan, while addressing the Audience 

The celebration’s next segment featured a classical Urdu Mushaira, planned and led by renowned Urdu literary expert Dr Faisal Hanif. The session showcased selected poetry by celebrated Pakistani poets, presented by local Pakistani poets living in Qatar: Parveen Shakir by Ms Samreen Nadeem Samar, Himayat Ali Shair by Mr Riyaz Ahmed Bakali, Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum by Mr Badar Souhail Khan, Qateel Shifai by Mr Qateel Bhatti, Nasser Kazemi by Mr Shabbar Ali, Hafeez Jalandhri by Mr Syed Azfar Gardaizi, Faiz Ahmed Faiz by Mr Osama bin Javed, Josh Malihabadi by Mr Sheraz Ahmed Bakali, and Allama Muhammad Iqbal by Mr Mahmood Ahmed.

The classical poetry session was opened with an introduction to the rich tradition of Urdu Mushaira and was moderated by Dr Faisal Hanif in his distinctive style. The audience remained fully engaged and captivated throughout the recital of classical and well-loved poetry.

The segment opened with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthems of Pakistan and Qatar, which were sung in unison by all attendees with great enthusiasm.

Following the poetry session, HE Mohammed Aamer, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, took the stage as chief guest and addressed the community in his distinctive style and reflected on Urdu’s history as Pakistan’s national language, noting its role as a unifying means of communication from Karachi to Kashmir. Speaking to young people and parents, he emphasised the importance of knowing when to listen, when to speak, and when to raise one’s voice responsibly to promote disciplined communication and contribute to Pakistan’s progress.

 Today, as we celebrate Pakistan’s 80th Independence Day here in Qatar, we are reminded of the sacrifices of our forefathers who dreamed of a free and sovereign nation. This day is not merely a date on the calendar; it is a solemn reminder of our shared identity, our resilience, and our unwavering commitment to the ideals of unity, faith, and discipline. He added 

To the youth of our community, I say this: you are the architects of Pakistan’s future. Your energy, creativity, and dedication will shape the destiny of our nation. Whether you are here in Qatar or back home, your role in building a stronger, more prosperous Pakistan is indispensable. Embrace your heritage, take pride in your roots, and contribute meaningfully to the progress of our beloved homeland.

I congratulate every member of the Pakistani community in Qatar for organising this magnificent celebration. Events like these keep our culture alive and ensure that our younger generation remains connected to the rich traditions of our country. “Pakistan Zindabad!”

In the presence of community leaders, Mr. Fawad Rana- Chairman Pakistan Business Council,  Mr Mohammed Israr Malazai – President Business council, Mr Said Gul – Founder executive Pakistan Welfare forum – Mr Qaiser Anwar – President Pakistan Welfare Forum, Mr Rashid Khan – President Pakhtun Professionals, Mr Ikram Butt – President Pakistan Overseas Community, Mr Kashif Raheem – President Pakistani Executive Forum, Mr Hamid Rasul – Chairman Pakistan Engineering Forum, Dr Khuram Iqbal – President Pakistan Engineering Forum, Sheikh Abdul Razzaq – Founder execute QSindhis,  HE the Ambassador presented a commemorative shield to the Ministry of Culture, while the community leaders collectively presented a shield to HE the Ambassador.

The evening concluded with a lively performance of patriotic and cultural music led by Mr Tanveer Awan. Mr Shabber Ali introduced the showcase, presenting the artists and their instruments. Continuing until 10:15 PM, the programme featured classical, folk, and contemporary Pakistani melodies, including Qawwali, and created an atmosphere filled with nostalgia and cultural pride. Mr Akbar Khan performed Qawwali in his distinctive style; Mr Jamshaid Shahzad Bajwa presented Pakistani folk songs; and Mohammad Arif Khan sang a classical ghazal, accompanied by Mr Ghulam Hussain and Mr Nadir Hussain on the beat, together creating a refined classical orchestra.

The audience remained fully engaged throughout the performance, singing, clapping, and chanting “Pakistan Zindabad” until the show concluded.

Shan-e-Lahore, a Pakistani food and beverage restaurant group, served authentic Pakistani cuisine to the community.

The green Pakistani and maroon Qatari marble shields were specially crafted for the occasion by Mr Malik Rafeeq, CEO of Hadico.

This celebration was made possible through the dedicated efforts of prominent members of the Pakistani diaspora in Qatar. The programme was thoughtfully planned and successfully executed under the overall auspices of Mr Riyaz Ahmed Bakali, with a great team comprising Mr Shabber Ali, Ms Ghazala Zaman, Ms Mariyam Khan Baloch, Dr Faisal Hanif, and Mr Tanveer Awan. The event concluded with a vote of thanks to all participants, attendees, and the Ministry of Culture team, especially Ms Nezha Slaoui, Mr Ayad and their team.