Saudi Gazette RIYADH — The Saudi Arabian Chapter of Bihar Foundation held a reception to welcome and honor visiting poet Afzal Imam at Saffron Restaurant. Imam, who is basically a lawyer by profession, has been striving to promote Urdu language and literature in TorontoCanada. He left India 40 years back and settled in Canada. During the last 40 years he has dedicated his life for the promotion of Urdu language. He said: "During early times it was very difficult to find Urdu-speaking people in Canada, but he organized many mushairas and Urdu seminars in Canada. Today, with many immigrating from South Asia, Urdu is the second unofficial language in Toronto." He has two books to his credit; "Zauq-e-Junoon" — a collection of his poetry and "Yadon ki Khushboo" — collection of prose. He established "Anjuman-e-Urdu Toronto" a cultural organization and organized many memorable mushairas. Many prominent poets from India and Pakistan participated in these mushairas. Welcoming the guests, Obaidur Rahman, Chairman Bihar Foundation SA chapter, said: "Patna has been known as Azimabad during the Mogul period (1704) and it was one of the prominent Dabistan e Urdu (promoter of Urdu literature). Many legendary poets were born in this land. Literary figures like Dr. Kaleem Ajiz, Allama Shaukh Nimwi, Bismil Azimabadi and many others belonged to Bihar. Rahman said Bihar is known for highly educated people. The state saw the emergence of many IAS and IPS toppers. Recently a first Muslim women IPS officer also was from Bihar. He further said Riyadh people always welcome Urdu poets, writers and intellectuals whenever they visited the Kingdom. Senior Journalist K.N. Wasif read out the introductory sketch of Afzal Imam and mentioned how hard he worked to promote Urdu language and literature in Canada. Tariq Masood, guest of honor, said Bihar Foundation should also get credit for the promotion of Urdu language in Saudi Arabia. Whenever any dignitary visits the Kingdom from Bihar, the Bihar Foundation always comes forward and felicitates them. Guest local poets also recited their poetry they were Shaukat Jamal, Shafiq Nadwi, Hisham Syed, Zafar Mahmood. Dr. Ahmad Dilshad, member IISR management committee, delivered vote of thanks and reminded audience about the grand successful mushaira of Imran Pratapgharhi organized by Bihar Foundation on the occasion of Bihar Divas in Riyadh last year. He said that mushaira set a benchmark by Bihar foundation. Firoz Rahman and Syed Wasi Ahmed presented bouquets to the guests. Kaunain Shahidi recited verses from the Holy Qur'an and conducted the proceedings. Prominent personalities and poets from Riyadh attended this event.
