JEDDAH — The Urdu Academy Jeddah organized its 16th annual literary program to promote Urdu language and to mark India's National Education Day, celebrated every year in the memory of the India's first education minister, at the Indian Consulate here recently. Many eminent personalities from the Indian community along with students from various schools attended the event. Consul General Noor Rehman Shiek was the chief guest at the program while Deputy Consul General Shahad Alam and Zia Nadwi, director DPS International School, were the guests of honor. To promote Urdu language among students, the academy organized a students' poetry gathering, instead of the regular annual quiz program. The poetry gathering "Tamseeli Shayari" with the participation of students of various Indian schools in Jeddah was much appreciated. The students' speaking skills, without any hesitation or stage fear, were commendable. "The academy's efforts to promote the passion for poetry among the youth are highly appreciable," said Consul General Sheikh in his address. While delivering his welcome address, Jamal Qadri, president of Urdu Academy, reviewed the academy's achievements, charitable programs and social activities, along with a brief report of activities for the promotion of Urdu language. Urdu Academy Jeddah sent a reminder to Chief Minister Chandar Shekar Rao last month to distribute school bags in all government schools. He thanked the Indian Consulate for providing the venue and making necessary arrangements for holding the event every year. While compeering the program, program organizer Mohd Faheem said, "To introduce Urdu poetry and to provide a taste of great poetic ritual from Urdu literature to our youth, we have decided to arrange a poetry gathering instead of quiz competition this year". A student of international Indian school Jeddah, Nadira Sadaf, compeered the speech contest for girls while Mohd Abdul Sattar Khan helped to run the program in order. Khalid Hussain Madni welcomed the guests and proposed the vote of thanks. An Azad Souvenir 2016 was launched by the consul general along with all academy's officials. Chief organizer Sheikh Ibrahim presented the souvenir to the consul general. Replicas of Hyderabad's historical monument Charminar were presented as mementos to the chief guest and guests of honor. Jamal Qadri, Saleem Farooqi and Khalid Hussain presented the mementos respectively to the consul general, deputy consul general and Zia Nadwi. The consul general distributed appreciation awards by the academy to teachers of all schools. Mohd Abdul Sami, governor of Toastmasters Club West Region, was the chief judge while Nasir Khursheed assisted him. The panel of judges also comprised Dr. Syed Ali Mehmoud from King Abdulaziz University; Siraj Wahab, deputy managing editor of Arab News; Dr. Shahida Aziz, professor at King Abdulaziz University; Surindar Pal Singh, and Farzan Rezwi. Judges for the poetry gathering were famous local poets Wahid Al Qadri Arif, Nasir Barni, Mehtab Qadr, Irfan Barah Bankwi, Iqbal Belan Nizambad, Altaf Sharyar, Afsar Barah Bankwi and Shiraz Mehdi from Alkhobar. Winners of the girls' Urdu speech contest were Summayya Shamim from International Indian School, Bayan Arif from Shati Al Noor School and Syeda Sara Fatima from Duhat-ul-Uloom International School respectively won the first three prizes in the Urdu speech contest for girls. They received shields and tablets as gifts from the academy. The first prize winner in boys' Urdu speech contest was Yahya Syed Viqaruddin from DPS Al-Falah. Mohd Sufiyan Nafees from Al Wurood International School won the second prize while the third prize went to Mohd Azam Ali from Al Mawarid International School. The poetry recitation competition was the main charm of the program. The students presented poems by famous poets in their own style after weeks of training. Aslam Afghani, coordinator of the academy, compered the poetry competition, which commenced with a Naat of Hooriya Faheem, presented by Tahira Fahim. The whole poetic competition was much appreciated by the audience as it introduced a unique style of Urdu literature. Mariya Imad from Al–Mawarid won the first prize for girls. She copied to the famous poet Anjum Rehbar. Sidra Mohd from IISJ won the second prize for performing a poem by Ambreen Haseeb Amber while the third prize was bagged by Saba Noor from Shati-ul Noor School. She presented a famous poem by the legendry poet Parveen Shaker. The first prizewinner among boys was Mohd Anees Siraj Patel from IISJ. He presented Munawwar Rana's poem. Zain Rashid of DPS, who presented Manzar Bhopali, won the second prize while the third prize went to Adresh Car of DPS for his rendition of numerous poems by Mustafa Ali Baig. Mohd Liqat Ali Khan was responsible for the speech contest, while Syed Saifuddin Qadri and Fawad Anwar were volunteers of the program. Prizes were arranged in order by Riaz Ahmed and Tauseef while Sami Farooqi, Munawwar Khan, Raffat Siddiqui, Ahmed Muhi Uddin, Akhteruddin, Hashim Ali and Mustafa helped in the distribution of prizes. Volunteers who worked hard to make program a great success included Salim Farooqi, Sheikh Ibrahim, Aslam Afghani, Sami Farooqi, Mohd Liaqat Ali Khan, Nasir Khursheed, Mohd Abdul Sami, Syed Shamsuddin Qadri and Syed Saifuddin Qadri. Earlier the program started with the recitation of Holy Qur'an by Abdul Wasay of IISJ followed by Naat from Hameeda Riyaz Ahmed, also of IISJ. A beautiful Naat of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was presented by Syed Owais ul Haq while Ibrahim Riyaz of IISJ presented a poem on the freedom fighters. Young student Sarah Siraj Wahab presented a poem "Admi Nama" in a very innocent manner and was immensely cherished by audience. Later Salim Farooqi proposed the vote of thanks.
