Pakistan Association Qatar (PAQ) recently organised a reception for a journalist from Japan and a female educationist from Pakistan. The association also held an Urdu mushaira at the Indian Coffee House.
The reception was in honour of Nasir Nakagawa, journalist, writer and editor of Urudunet web from Japan, and Zeenat Kausar Lakhani, educationist, Urdu poet, and motivational speaker from Pakistan.
The programme was convened by PAQ Chairman Syed Faheemuddin. It started with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an by Syed Faizan.
The chief guest was Commodore Iran Taj, defence attaché at the Pakistani embassy. 
Murad Ali, educationist, writer, and columnist, presented an article on Nasir that highlighted his works and accomplishments. Mementos were also presented to the guests and to PAQ Vice Patron Tajammul Chemma by the chief guest. 
The PAQ also used the occasion to launch a book written by Nasir in Qatar. The book titled Des Des Ka Safar is the third book by Nasir in Urdu. It is a travelogue.
Talking to Community, Mohammad Tahir Jamil, PAQ senior vice president, said that the two foreign guests were honoured for their achievements. He said that Nasir was on a two-day visit to Qatar on his way back from Uganda to Japan. He has good friends in Qatar and appreciated the ceremony for his book launching in the country.
Nakagawa, speaking on the occasion, recalled his memories of the last 30 years in Japan and shared his experience with the audiences. 
He read a comic article titled Nai (a barber) from his book for the amusement of the audience. Highlighting different roles of a barber in Pakistani society, he said, “A barber gives more services than just the haircut. A barber also cooks food for big family gatherings in Pakistan. In earlier days, a barber used to do circumcisions. The barber is also asked to visit rich peoples’ houses to cut hair. Interestingly all people bow their heads before a barber to have a haircut. In Japan after the haircut, the barber will also bow his head to the customer to say thank you.”
After the article, the journalist said, “This is my second visit to Qatar. It is a beautiful and peaceful country. I travel a lot and often do not go to a country twice. But in the case of Qatar, I am here again because of the love and respect given to me by my friends here. The food variety in Qatar is very rich and good.”
“I am happy to have the launching ceremony of my book here. Qatar has actually become a major hub of activities related to Urdu language and literature in GCC. Major events and mushairas are taking place in Qatar. The country has become a source of attraction for Urdu writers from all across the world. [That said,] the work for promotion of Urdu as a language is going on in many countries. There are three universities in Japan that have departments of Urdu,” he noted.
Zeenat Lakhani has been a teacher in Pakistan, UAE, and Canada. She is in Qatar to see her son who works here.
She said, “Urdu is being promoted all over the world. I really appreciate the activities being carried out by the PAQ and other organisations in Qatar.”
Talking to Community, Zeenat said, “I have been teaching Urdu my entire life. Now I am retired but am attached to different literary organisations promoting Urdu. I have written two books in Urdu prose. I am working on my first Urdu poetry book.”
“I am thankful to the PAQ for honouring me. I have observed in my life that generally people are going away from Urdu. They take more interest in English. They feel pride in not speaking Urdu. However I am happy to see that efforts are underway in different countries to promote the language,” she noted.
She said, “This is my second visit to Qatar. My son works here. I am amazed to see the pace of development here. I like Qatar as it is very peaceful.”
Taj, the chief guest, assured PAQ of maximum support from the embassy for their literary activities.


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