Majlis-e-Frogh-e-Urdu Adab (MFUA), the renowned Qatar-based Urdu literary organisation, recently organised online ‘Silver Jubilee Aalmi Frogh-e-Urdu Adab Awards’ function for the two 2021 award winners.
The late Prof Dr Shamim Hanfi, renowned Urdu critic and scholar from India, and Prof Dr Moinuddin Aqeel, eminent author and scholar of Urdu literature from Pakistan, were the winners. The Majlis has been organising the awards every year since 1996. However, due to Covid-19, the award function for 2020 and 2021 were held online.
The online award ceremony was presided over by Mohamed Atiq, chairman of MFUA. Chief guests were Prof Shafey Kidwai, member of Majlis' Aalmi Award Jury from India, and Prof Dr Khurshid Rizvi, chairman of Majlis' Aalmi Award Jury for Pakistan.
The awards were received by Prof Dr Moinuddin Aqeel and by Ghazala Shamim, daughter of Dr Hanfi, who died of Covid-19 in India, on May 6 at the age of 83. Obaid Tahir, secretary general of MFUA, hosted the award ceremony. Atiq launched the annual magazine of the Majlis in the honour of the award winners.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Kidwai lauded the efforts of MFUA for giving awards to Urdu prose writers and critics. “The award has become very prestigious both in India and Pakistan. Very important literary figures have been selected for the year’s award. Late Dr Shamim Hanfi was a well respected writer from India and we are proud that his literary services have been honoured.” Dr Kidwai spoke at length about Dr Hanfi’s creative writings and literary services.
Ghazala Shamim expressed her appreciation for the award that was given to her father. She brought to light different aspects of personal life of Dr Hanfi.
Dr Khurshid Rizvi congratulated MFUA for celebrating the silver jubilee of the award. He extensively spoke about the literary works and accomplishments of Dr Aqeel, who in turn thanked MFUA, remembered Dr Hanfi and thanked Dr Rizvi for highlighting his works and writings.
Atiq shed light on how the award was initiated in 1996 and how it has gained due recognition in the literary circles of India and Pakistan. He highlighted and appreciated the work of the award juries in both countries. “We have so far given away the awards to 25 distinct men of letters each from India and Pakistan. For the last two years, we have not been able to hold the physical award ceremony in Doha.”
The online award ceremony was presided over by Mohamed Atiq, chairman of MFUA. Chief guests were Prof Shafey Kidwai, member of Majlis' Aalmi Award Jury from India, and Prof Dr Khurshid Rizvi, chairman of Majlis' Aalmi Award Jury for Pakistan.
The awards were received by Prof Dr Moinuddin Aqeel and by Ghazala Shamim, daughter of Dr Hanfi, who died of Covid-19 in India, on May 6 at the age of 83. Obaid Tahir, secretary general of MFUA, hosted the award ceremony. Atiq launched the annual magazine of the Majlis in the honour of the award winners.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Kidwai lauded the efforts of MFUA for giving awards to Urdu prose writers and critics. “The award has become very prestigious both in India and Pakistan. Very important literary figures have been selected for the year’s award. Late Dr Shamim Hanfi was a well respected writer from India and we are proud that his literary services have been honoured.” Dr Kidwai spoke at length about Dr Hanfi’s creative writings and literary services.
Ghazala Shamim expressed her appreciation for the award that was given to her father. She brought to light different aspects of personal life of Dr Hanfi.
Dr Khurshid Rizvi congratulated MFUA for celebrating the silver jubilee of the award. He extensively spoke about the literary works and accomplishments of Dr Aqeel, who in turn thanked MFUA, remembered Dr Hanfi and thanked Dr Rizvi for highlighting his works and writings.
Atiq shed light on how the award was initiated in 1996 and how it has gained due recognition in the literary circles of India and Pakistan. He highlighted and appreciated the work of the award juries in both countries. “We have so far given away the awards to 25 distinct men of letters each from India and Pakistan. For the last two years, we have not been able to hold the physical award ceremony in Doha.”