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| Gulzar (fourth left) and Syed Mohamed Kazim (right) with other dignitaries at the awards function. |
A capacity crowd attended the event organised by Majlis Frogh-e-Urdu Adab, a Qatar-based literary forum.
Launched in 1996, the Aalmi Frogh-e-Urdu Adab Award (International Award for the promotion of Urdu literature), comprises of a gold shield and cash prize of Rs150,000.
It is given annually to two Urdu writers and scholars - one from India and the other from Pakistan - for their contribution towards promotion of Urdu language and literature.
Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari was represented by ministry’s adviser Moosa Zainab Moosa.
In his welcome address, Majlis chairman Mohamed Ateeq expressed gratitude to the Qatar government for its support to the literary field and lauded the services of the forum’s founder the late Museeb U Rehman.
Pakistan Ambassador Mohamed Sarfraz Khanzada acknowledged the contributions made by Indian scholars and through famous Indian movies for developing Urdu literature and language.
He said that Pakistan is the only country where Urdu is the national language. However, work done outside Pakistan is highly appreciable and is a show of deep love towards a “sweet language” of the world.
Indian Embassy charge d’affaires Sanjiv Kohli described the Majlis as a platform that extends good wishes to both India and Pakistan.
He recalled that Urdu poetry has always been playing a significant role, even on the occasions of bilateral talks between both countries.
Majlis Frogh-e-Urdu Adab has so far presented its annual award to 30 literary personalities since its inception in 1996.
The awards function was followed by a traditional poetry session in honour of the famous Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, whose centennial celebrations are being held now.
The participants from Pakistan were Aslam Kolsari, Pro Dr Pirzada Qasim, Jahan Ara Tabussum, Zahid Fakhri, Nadeem Najid, Wasi Shah and counsellor at Pakistan embassy in Qatar Dr Mansour Abbas Rizvi.
The participants from India were Mehrathi, Shabina Adeeb, FC Ijaz, Dr Kaleem Qaiser, Abadi, Manzar Bhopali, Abdul Rahman Fareed Nadvi and Farzana Safdar while Dr Taqi Abedi and Ashfaq Husssain (Canada) and Qamar Haider (Saudi Arabia) also participated.The programme was conducted by Fartash Syed and the prize winners were introduced by Syed
Fahimuddin. — Ashraf Siddiqui
