Lahore (AsiaNews) The National Catholic Literature Board (NCLB) organised a poetry session on May 13 in honour for the late John Paul II at Gulberg, a northern neighbourhood of Lahore.
Some 18 Muslim and Christian poets from Lahore, Kasur, New York and Rome took part in the event.
The renowned Muslim poet Munir Nizai read out different poems in honour of "John Paul II's efforts in favour of peace".
He especially thanked the print and electronic media for highlighting John Paul II's funeral and Benedict XVI's election.
In addition poetry reading, the evening saw the poet Mukhtar Alam, who is also an ordained priest from the diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, celebrate his silver jubilee in the priesthood. Invited to speak, Father Alam said that in April when he was in Rome he witnessed the pilgrims' enthusiasm. He also read out three poems one of which, like his Muslim colleague, praised the late Pontiff's work for peace
During his career as a poet, Father Alam published five books of poems in Urdu and Punjabi and recorded three audio cassettes. Several times, his work was used during Lent and at mass.
Professor Akram Atiq also spoke at the event. He said he was going to dedicate his latest book of poems to Mother Teresa of Kolkata and Abdul Sittar Edhi, a well-known Pakistani humanitarian activist. In doing so, he wanted to honour the efforts of these two individuals who served humanity.
Fr Inayat Bernard, NCLB director for the archdiocese of Lahore, said that "the board has been at the service of Urdu and Punjabi literature for over 30 years."
"We have provided a platform for Christian and Muslim poets to come close to each other and express their ideas through poetry".
He said that the passing of Pope John Paul II brought the whole world closer.
"Poetry readings," he explained, "can help us understand one another in a better way".
The other poets were Professor Abad Nabil Shad, Ijaz Rizvi, Shahid Bukhari, Aziz Kamil, Sharif Anjum, Salim Ahang, Ijaz Feroze Ijaz, N.J. Mansoob, Javed Sadeeq Bhatti and Capuchin priests Francis Tanvir and Emmanuel Nazir Mani. (IB)