JEDDAH — Majlis-e-Ilm-O-Adab, a well known literary platform of intellectuals, journalists, poets and writers of Jeddah, organized "An Evening of Appreciation" with renowned Pakistani literary legend, distinguished scholar, poet, linguist, historian of Arabic language and literature, and recipient of Sitar-e-Imtiaz (SI) from the Pakistan government in 2008 Dr. Khurshid-ul-Hassan Rizvi. Dr. Rizvi presided over the gathering. Senior Dr. Syed Samih Ahmed and a noted figure from India Syed Fazal Jawaid were guest of honors. In his address, Dr. Rizvi thanked to all the members of Majlis-e-Elm-o-Adab specially, the hosts of the event, for honoring him and holding such an attractive literary gathering. He said there was a time when I believed that Mushaira (Poetic evening) is just for entertainment or just to while away time but when I saw the poetic gathering outside the country such as in Saudi Arabia, other Gulf states, UK and other places gradually my faith has changed and I have started to believe that these poetic gathering are institutions. It has kept alive Urdu language and has been useful for the promotion and transfusion Urdu literature and culture from one generation to the new generation. He said Urdu has big scope for expansion. He lauded the efforts of Ather Nafees Abbasi, President Aalami Urdu Markaz, Dr. Irfan Hashmi, Chairman Majlis-e-Iqbal, senior poet in Saudi Arabia Naeem Hamid Ali Al-Hamid, host Mujahid Syed and others Urdu lovers who had worked tirelessly for promotion of Urdu language and culture in Saudi Arabia. Mujahid Syed and Dr. Samih Ahmed presented a comprehensive introduction and read out papers on Dr. Khursheed Rizvi's literary works and poetries. The program began with recitation of few verses from the Holy Qur'an by master Syed Mohammed and master Syed Mustafa. Famous naat singers in Jeddah Mohammed Jameel and Ahmed Raza Hashmi presented their naats. In the poetry session that followed, well known local poets recited their poems. Nasir Burni, Kamran Khan Kamran, Yawar Muzaffar Puri, Zamurrad Khan Saifee, Altaf Shaharyar, Dr. Mahmoud Iqbal Haider, Afsar Barabankawi, Anwar Hussain, Faisal Tufail, Anwar Ansari, Irfan Barabankawi, Mahtab Qader, Ather Nafees Abbasi, Shahzad Azam, Naeem Bazaid Puri, Mohammed Mujahid Syed, Dr. Naeem Hamid Ali Al-Hamid and Dr. Khurshid Rizvi presented their works. Tafsheen Mujahid Syed gave a vote of thanks. Nasir Barni welcomed guests, poets and conducted the proceedings.
