Urdu Fest 2025 draws crowds in Sharjah

In a vibrant celebration of language and cultural heritage, the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, in collaboration with Bazm-e-Urdu, has hosted Urdu Fest 2025 at the Intellectual Hall, Expo Centre Sharjah.

The event brought together students, educators, poets, and literary enthusiasts for a day dedicated to showcasing the richness and elegance of the Urdu language through competitions and artistic performances.

The event featured two flagship competitions, Inter-School Baitbaazi (live poetry) Championship and Debate (Taqreeri) Competition.

Both saw participation by schoolchildren from different Emirates across the UAE and demonstrating their eloquence, confidence, and deep-rooted connection to Urdu literature.

The event opened with welcoming remarks by Arsal Abbas, followed by a heartfelt introduction to Bazm-e-Urdu by Afia Khan, a bright and confident Grade 5 student.

Both the Debate and Baitbazi competitions captivated the audience, showcasing the students’ eloquence, wit, and deep engagement with Urdu literature.

A distinguished panel of judges — Dr Asim Sabahat Wasti, Aijaz Shaheen, Arif Bhaldar, Kishwar, Nadeem Ahmad, Asad Haider, and Imad ul Malik — evaluated the performances with great appreciation.

Shakeel Ahmed Khan, President of Bazm-e-Urdu, applauded the efforts of the entire Bazm-e-Urdu volunteer team, with special recognition to the organisation’s founder Rehan Khan, currently based in Canada, for his instrumental role in planning and preparing the event.

The Baitbaazi Championship was moderated by renowned poet, Syed Tabish Zaidi, who eloquently highlighted the educational and cultural importance of this poetic tradition.

“Baitbaazi is more than just a literary game – it’s an intellectual activity that enhances memory, strengthens vocabulary, and deepens our appreciation of classical Urdu poetry,” said Zaidi.

He further added that Baitbaazi, a beloved tradition across Pakistan, India, and the Urdu-speaking diaspora, inspires youth to engage with poetry and helps preserve this cherished art form for future generations.

Winners of the Debate Competition were: 1st Place: Pakistani Islamic Private School, Al Ain, 2nd Place: His Highness Shaikh Rashid Al Maktoum Pakistan School Dubai, 3rd Place: Pakistani Islamic Private School, Al Ain.

Winners of the Bait Bazi Championship were 1st Place: Pakistan Islamia Higher Secondary School, Fujairah, 2nd Place: Pakistani Islamic Private School, Al Ain and 3rd Place: His Highness Shaikh Rashid Al Maktoum Pakistan School Dubai.