Traditional Annual Helmand River Poetry Gathering Held

The traditional annual Helmand River poetry gathering was held in Lashkargah City under the auspices of the Helmand Directorate of Information and Culture.
The event was attended by the Governor of Helmand, Mawlawi Amanuddin Mansoor; the deputy minister for Art and Culture at the Ministry of Information and Culture, Mawlawi Atiqullah Azizi; senior officials from various civilian and military institutions; respected religious scholars; naat reciters; poets from across the country; and thousands of admirers of poetry and literature.
Officials of the Directorate of Information and Culture stated that the traditional annual Helmand River poetry gathering is not merely a literary event but also an important platform for preserving the cultural unity, intellectual awareness, and literary heritage of the Afghan people. They added that the Directorate remains committed to organizing broader cultural programs aimed at strengthening Helmand’s literary, cultural, and historical values and encouraging the younger generation toward writing, literature, and reading.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister for Art and Culture, Mawlawi Atiqullah Azizi, expressed satisfaction that poets, writers, and intellectuals from across the country had gathered for the event in a secure and peaceful environment. He noted that Helmand possesses not only a distinguished historical status in the fields of poetry, literature, and culture but also a proud legacy in the spheres of religion, jihad, and sacrifice.
Mr. Azizi further praised the previous cultural and jihadi contributions of poets, writers, and literary figures, stating that the presence of poets, writers, naat reciters, and devotional performers at such gatherings is a source of pride, as they strive to convey the people’s sufferings and aspirations through the language of poetry and literature while also drawing attention to the values of the Islamic system, unity, and sacrifice.
He emphasized that writers and poets should use their literary and artistic talents to present the achievements, progress, public services, and aspirations of the people under the Islamic system to the international community and future generations, adding that poetry and literary works serve as enduring guardians of the history, sacrifices, and honor of nations for centuries.
During the gathering, poets, naat reciters from various provinces presented their poems, literary compositions, naats, and artistic performances to the audience, receiving a warm and enthusiastic response from participants.
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5/16/2026