SAUDI ARABIA

Urdu Gulban holds ‘Mujahid Urdu Award’ evening

February 14, 2018

Syed Mussarat Khalil

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH
— Well-known literary and cultural society for Urdu language lovers and poets based in the Gulf States ‘’Urdu Gulban.com’ organized their annual program ‘’Mujahid E Urdu Award 2018’’ and poetry evening (Mushaira) at Lasani restaurant.

The program was chaired by Zia Abdullah Abbas Nadvi, director Al-Falah International Schools. Prof. Irtiza Karim, who is the director of National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) was the guest of honor for ‘Mujahid Urdu Award’.

The other prominent guest were Syed Masood Ahmad principal, Indian International School Jeddah (IISJ), and L. Ramnarayan Iyer, executive editor Saudi Gazette. The other distinguished guest Abdullah Ali Bin Mahfooz could not attend due to his poor health. Aslam Afghani was master of ceremony.

Renowned poet and president of Urdu Gulban.com Mahtab Qadr welcomed all the guests. Senior member Hasan Bayazeed presented an introduction of Prof. Irtiza Karim, who, he said, was the recipient of Nishan-e-Sajjad Zaheer and Harish Chandra Kathpalia awards. Prof. Karim, born in Gaya, Bihar, on Oct. 27, 1959, studied M.A, M.Phil and Ph.D and is associated with several organizations, Bayazeed said, adding, his actual name is Syed Ali Karim.

Prof. Karim, a renowned scholar of Urdu language who had dozen of books to his credit, Bayazeed said, adding, the fraternity of Urdu language have shown their love and happiness on his promotion as director of NCPUL and are hopeful that Prof. Karim will do some great work for the promotion of Urdu language.

He further said that last year Urdu Gulban.com had announced the World Mujahid Urdu Award for Professor Irtiza Karim, adding, this evening has been especially organized in his honor to present the same award. Memorable mementos, Arabic Mishla and token money of INR250,000 were also presented to Prof. Karim.

In his speech, Prof. Karim expressed his gratitude to Urdu Gulban.com for organizing the function in his honor. He advised Urdu lovers to protect their language and culture, which will boost the community. He also emphasized on the need to establish unity for progress. He said, Urdu has never been under threat from any government or external forces as this is the biggest myth held by the people.

“Honestly speaking, it’s we who are responsible for dilapidated state of the language because we do not have any interest with Urdu,” he said, adding, “Unless we shed the I for the collective us, there’ll be no development. IF the collective lot progresses, growth not only in language is assured.”

Zia Nadvi lauded the services and personality of Prof. Irtiza Karim in his presidential address. He said Prof. Karim is well recognized writer, researcher and a legend from the Bihar state. He was a former head for Department of Urdu in Delhi University and has served the Urdu language with true sense, direction and honesty. He further said that initially he had thought that Prof. Karim hailed from the city of pearls, Hyderabad, but I was quite happy and impressed to know that he is from the same place where I am from i.e. the state of Bihar.

Prof. Irtiza Karim received the Excellence World Mujahid Urdu Award and replica of the check of Rs.2,51,000 from Zia Nadvi.

L. Ramnarayan Iyer and Syed Masood Ahmed also addressed in the function and praised Prof. Irtiza services to the community and the Urdu language. Earlier, the program started with recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an by Abdullah Farooq and Naat was presented by Mohammed Omer. Both are students of Indian International School Jeddah (IISJ).

Farooq Ahmed, Sadiq Hussain, Munawar Khan, Abdul Rahman M. Baig and Obaid Bajhao presented bouquet of flower to guests. Sheikh Usman Bin Mahfooz presented a special Arabic Mishla to Prof. Irtiza.

A model of Makkah Clock Tower was presented to the wife of Prof. Irtiza Karim as an appreciation award. Urdu teachers of Indian school Ali Misri (girls section) and Muhammad Tajuddin (boys section) too received appreciation awards for their services. After the award ceremony, a book of Prof. Irtiza Karim and online “Urdu Gulban” magazine were launched.

Later, in the poetry session (Mushaira) local poets recited few of their couplets. Ghalib Majdi, general secretary of the Bazm-e-Urdu London, presided over the poetry session. Poets Gohar from Institute of Literature Islamic, Karnataka, Zamir Sawani from Madinah, Wali Anjum from Makkah, Altaf Shehryar, Naeem Hamid Ali Al-Hamid, Faisal Tafail, Mahtab Qadr, Iqbal Balan, Irfan Barabankavi, Shafiq Nagri and Younus Almas from Jeddah read their poetries.

A large number of Urdu language fans, both men and women. attended the annual function. Obaid Bajhao, gave vote of thanks.


February 14, 2018
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