The first anniversary of “Awaz” weekly Urdu edition of Saudi Gazette was celebrated here on Sunday night at a function organized by Pakistan Peoples Community Saudi Arabia. Pakistani Consul General Zaighamuddin Azam patronized the event. The ‘Awaz' is the weekly Urdu edition of Saudi Gazette published on Fridays. It covers news analysis and literary events and forums of the Urdu-speaking expatriates in the Kingdom and includes columns and news reports from well-known writers in the Kingdom and the subcontinet. Women related issues including health, fashion, trends, food, and much more are part of the Urdu supplement. Several speakers at the function acknowledged that Awaz has carved a niche for itself in only a year of its inception. They also said since Awaz has penetrated deep into the market, it was feasible to add more pages to the section. Currently it is a four-page section published along with the main Saudi Gazette edition. There were many voices for the ‘Awaz' to become a daily newspaper catering to the needs of a large section of the Urdu-speaking population in the Kingdom. Dr. Abdullah Al-Bargi, Advisor to the Editor-in-Chief of Saudi Gazette, acknowledged that there was a great response for ‘Awaz' from the Urdu-speaking expatriates in the Kingdom. Shams Ahsan, Managing Editor of Saudi Gazette, said efforts have been exerted to make ‘Awaaz' a voice of voiceless. “With all your support (community) we are hopeful that this Urdu edition would go a long way and would be giving as much as the Urdu readers need, he said. “Urdu is the fourth highest spoken language in the world, so no one can deny its importance,” he added. Sameera Aziz, Editor Awaz' incharge, said it was not an easy task ‘being a woman' to cope with the society. She said she has worked hard and succeeded. Presently, she is completing her doctorate in Saudi-Pak investment, and relationship between the two countries. “It is good to learn and write English, but it doesn't mean to forget Urdu language. Nations are identified by their languages and cultures.” Zaighamuddin Azam, the Pakistani Consul General, assured all help from the consulate for ‘Awaaz' weekly. Syed Riaz H. Bukhari, President Pakistan Peoples Community, urged further expansion of the literary section in ‘Awaz.' “It is a best platform for creative writers and poets,” he said. He termed Sameera Aziz as a bridge between Saudi and Pakistani communities. Sharif Aslam, a literary figure said, “sincerity, determination and ideas,” is personified in the editor of ‘Awaaz'. Naseem-e-Sahar, a noted writer and poet, who conducted the program, said Sameera Aziz and her team have expressed their views on many pressing issues concerning the expatriate community in the Kingdom. “They have tried their level best to solve their issues with their balanced writings and reports,” he said. Shields and certificates of appreciation were presented by the community to Sameera Aziz, Shams Ahsan, Dr. Abdullah Al-Bargi, Syed Musarrat Khalil, and Mohammad Abdul Rasheed Junaid. – SG __
