On September 30, 2018, the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Vancouver, Canada, and MAWJ - Afghan Cultural Association, hosted an event on Mawlana Jalaludin Balkhi-Rumi and Abul Maali Mirza Abdul-Qadir Bedil heritage.

The celebration started with welcoming remarks of Consul General, Mohammad Salem Wahdat. Mr. Wahdat spoke of the importance of poetry in Afghan culture and how Rumi and Bidel’s messages of peace and love still resonate deeply with Afghans today. Following to Consul General speech, Mohammad Zaher Faqiri, Said Mohammad Fetrat, and Mohammad Bakhsh Fazeli talked about Rumi and Bidel and their personal reflection and why they still matter in the modern world.

The ceremony concluded with a poetry reading to celebrate Rumi and Bidel’s heritage, and it was accompanied by Rubab, Majid Qiam.