Mumbai

The Silver Jubilee celebrations and International Mushaira organized by Mumbai’s renowned and widely circulated weekly newspaper Weekly Awami Rai were held with great elegance and grandeur on February 8, 2026, at Islam Gymkhana, Mumbai. The prestigious literary evening was presided over by eminent poet, writer, and community leader Dr. Noor Amrohvi.

Dr. Noor Amrohvi visited Mumbai specially for just two days on the persistent request of Weekly Awami Rai and its organizing committee. It is widely known that he participates in very few Mushairas; however, his exceptional contributions to Urdu literature, culture, and particularly to the Indian-American community are universally acknowledged. He is regarded as a pioneer of modern-style Mushairas in the United States, and his services have earned him immense respect across literary circles.

Egyptian-origin Arab Urdu poet Dr Wala Jamal being felicitated.

In recognition of these remarkable contributions, Weekly Awami Rai instituted the Dr. Noor Amrohvi Literary Award, to be conferred annually upon a distinguished personality rendering outstanding services to Urdu language, literature, and culture abroad. For the year 2026, this prestigious honor was bestowed upon the highly acclaimed and popular poet of the Urdu world, Dr. Wala Jamal.

Dr. Wala Jamal, originally from Egypt, serves as a professor at Shams University and is the author of several notable books. She holds a distinguished position in contemporary Urdu poetry and has the honor of participating in Mushairas across the globe. Known for her refined diction and graceful command over Urdu, she captivates audiences wherever she recites. In appreciation of her literary and academic services, the management of Weekly Awami Rai unanimously selected her for this year’s award.

Egyptian-Origin Arab Urdu Poet Dr. Wala Jamal reciting Urdu poetry

Expressing her happiness upon receiving the honor, Dr. Wala Jamal stated:

“I have received many awards from different parts of the world, but receiving the Dr. Noor Amrohvi Literary Award has given me the greatest joy. Dr. Noor Amrohvi’s name is held in the highest esteem in literary circles. He is not only a poet, a community leader, and a successful businessman, but also a person of exemplary character and noble values. I had long wished to share the stage with him in a Mushaira, and through this award, that cherished wish has also been fulfilled.”

Egyptian-origin Arab Urdu poet Dr Wala Jamal being felicitated.

In his presidential address, Dr Noor Amrohvi conveyed a meaningful message to the organisers, emphasising that Mushairas should be purposeful and linked to noble causes. He shared that for the past twenty years, he has been organizing Mushairas in the United States under the banner of Al-Noor International titled “An Evening in the Name of Peace and Unity,” where people from all faiths—Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and others—participate and help spread the message of love, harmony, and mutual respect. He added that his presence in Mumbai was not merely for the Mushaira but was driven by the love and affection of the people, and he expressed special admiration for the organizer, Dr. Alauddin Sheikh, for his long-standing, selfless service to Urdu language and its lovers.

Due to prior commitments, the presiding poet Dr. Noor Amrohvi took leave during the course of the Mushaira.

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At the conclusion of the event, Weekly Awami Rai and the organizer Dr. Alauddin Sheikh hosted a sumptuous dinner in honor of all distinguished guests and attendees.