First Memorial Event for Mirza Abdul-Qadir Bidel Held in Istanbul

The 314th anniversary of the death of Mirza Abdul-Qadir Bidel, the celebrated mystical poet, was commemorated for the first time in Istanbul, Turkey, on July 29, 2025. The event was organized by the Sokhan Cultural Association in collaboration with the Bidel Lovers Association, the Turkish Writers’ Union, and the Hafez Shirazi Research Center at Istanbul Medeniyet University.

The gathering brought together Bidel enthusiasts, researchers, poets, and cultural figures from Afghanistan and Turkey to honor the memory of the great poet and explore the various dimensions of his works and thoughts.

The event was hosted by Laila Ghazal, a prominent poet and presenter, and began with a speech by Zuhur Mazhar, head of the Sokhan Cultural Association, who recounted Bidel’s life and the history of Bidel’s Urs (death anniversary) celebrations. Mazhar emphasized the spiritual and literary significance of the occasion, calling it an opportunity to reconnect with Bidel’s mystical poetry and thought.

Dr. Turgay Shafaq, a professor of Persian language and literature at Istanbul Medeniyet University, discussed the influence of Bidel’s poetry on Turkish literature, analyzing the similarities between the Indian style and certain Ottoman poetic traditions.

Shahbaz Iraj, a journalist, poet, and researcher of mystical literature, spoke about the unique features of Bidel’s poetic compositions, highlighting the complexity and beauty of his language.

Mohammad Popal, a Bidel scholar, explored the concept of “helplessness” (عجز) in Bidel’s poetry, showing how this term serves as the semantic core of many of his ghazals. Following him, Obaid Safi, head of the Bidel Lovers Association, analyzed the content of Bidel’s poems and examined the factors behind his enduring fame in literary history.

Saadullah Haqyar, a well-known poet, recited several of Bidel’s ghazals, filling the event with emotion. Oranos Masoom and Naqib Khatibi also eloquently recited Bidel’s poetry.

The highlight of the event was a captivating musical performance by Qais Ma’ruf, a renowned singer, who beautifully performed Bidel’s poems with his warm voice, earning the admiration of the audience.

This event not only honored Bidel’s memory but also served as a cultural bridge between Persian-speaking communities and lovers of mystical literature in Turkey and Afghanistan. It will undoubtedly be recorded in history as the first Urs of Bidel in Turkey.