JEDDAH — The Urdu Academy Jeddah recently organized a literary program dubbed "Aik Sham Allama Iqbal kay Nam —an evening in Allama Iqbal's name" at a local restaurant here. This initiative was taken to clear the misconception about Allama Iqbal's attachment and connection with Hyderabad Deccan, with the help of researched materials. Syed Jamalullah Qadri presided over the event while prominent local poet Mehtab Qadr was the chief guest. Syed Imaduddin Ahmed Qadri and poet Altaf Sharyar were guests of honor. Speaking on the occasion Mehtab Qadr applauded the Academy's activities and said "To introduce Urdu language and our culture to our youth is the need of the hour, and the Academy is doing this work very efficiently, which is commendable." Qadr presented many of his poems and couplets, with the subject being children, in very interesting way. Jamal Qadri, in his speech, paid rich tribute to Asif Samdani, the supreme guardian of Urdu Academy; and he shed light on his services and activities of past five months in Hyderabad. According to him Samdani has distributed school bags with all necessary stuffs to around 4,552 students from 300 primary Urdu schools, likewise 1,000 examination pads and stationary items were distributed to SSC students from 56 different high schools. Qadri mentioned the Academy members, who worked hard to make the program a great success. They were Aslam Afghani, Liakath Ali Khan, Munawwar Khan, Sami Farooqi,Munawwar Khan, Riyaz Ahmed, Abdul Sattar Khan, Rafat Siddiqui, Ahmed Mohiuddin, Saif Qadri and Fawad Anwar. Mohd Faheem, Shiek Ibrahim and Hafiz Mohd Abdul Salam guided them. Academy member Syed Mehmoud Hashmi's article on "Iqbal and Hyderabad Deccan" was recited by Mohd Minhajuddin, while Mohd Liaqat Ali Khan invited people to speak on different topics that were offered on the spot. A young student of International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ) Syeda Imama Qadri beautifully presented a poem. Later a "Baitbazi" poetic competition was held to promote Urdu cultural legacy among the students. Urdu Teacher of IISJ Tajuddin helped in preparation of four "Baitbazi" teams while Aslam Afghani introduced the rules of competition. Winners of the completion were the team named ‘Allama Iqbal' while ‘Mirza Galib' team was runner-up. All participants of competition received prizes from the Academy for their super performances. They were awarded different gifts; Mehtab Qadr and Altaf Sharyar were judges of the competition. Mohd. Faheem, program organizer of the Academy, compered the program. A memento was presented to Syed Akhteruddin as he is leaving the Kingdom. Earlier, the program started with the recitation of some verses from the Qur'an by Tahura Fatima Tauseef, a young student of IISJ followed by a Naat presented by Zunera Riyaz. Program coordinator Khalid Hussain Madani's composed Tarana-e-Iqbal was presented by Ahmed Raza and Ibrahim Riyaz,along with Abubakr Raza, Amjad Muhiuddin, Owais Mohd Aslam Afghani and little master Yousuf Ahmed Muhiuddin. Saleem Farooqi, general secretary of Urdu Academy Jeddah, proposed the vote of thanks.
