Afghan Cabbies, a poetry tradition

By Masood Farivar - The Wall Street Journal - U.S.A.
Monday, July 10, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- There aren't many places in the U.S. that can count poetry societies run by Afghan cab drivers. Washington has two. And they don't like each other.
"An Evening with the Dervishes" prefers what it calls the serious, scholarly pursuit of poetry. The group views itself as a literary clique focusing on masters such as Abdul Qadir Bedil, a 17th century poet and Islamic mystic, or Sufi. Its gatherings feature top scholars and poets.

"An Evening of Sufism," notwithstanding its name, brings all forms of Afghan poetry to large audiences, and it also treats attendees to free refreshments.

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