Waqar Naseem Wamiq
RIYADH — Halqa-Fikr-O-Funn Riyadh organized a literary event, hosted by Dr. Tariq Aziz, in the honor of Sitara-e-Imtiaz awardee and renowned Urdu poet and writer Amjad Islam Amjad. Pakistan Ambassador Manzoor Ul Haq and Amjad Islam Amjad were the chief guests on the occasion, which was presided by Ex-MNA Ch. Nazir Ahmed Jutt.
Scores of men, women and representatives of several literary and social organizations, including a special delegation of Indian community in Riyadh, attended the event. The Indian delegation included Akhtar Ul Islam Nadwi, Muhammad Quaisar, Zakir Azmi, Rashid Hassan and Shabbir Nadwi.
Dr. Hina Ambreen Tariq and Javid Akhter Javid conducted the program respectively in a graceful manner. Earlier, the event formally began with the recitation of some verses of the Holy Qur’an by Dr. Mahmoud Ahmed Bajwa followed by a soulful presentation of Naat by Dr. Saeed Ahmed Waince.
Javid Akhter Javid applauded the efforts of Ambassador Manzoor Ul Haq for promoting the soft image of Pakistan. “I congratulate the ambassador on the successful completion of the first year of his ongoing tenure, and during this short span of time he has ably managed to boost the Pak-Saudi relations and successfully highlighted the soft image of Pakistan by hosting a variety of cultural and literary programs at the embassy,” Javid said.
In her welcome note, Dr. Hina Ambreen highly praised the literary works of Amjad Islam Amjad and his remarkable contributions to the education sector. “Amjad is currently one of the best known Urdu poets of our era. His poems mirror the voices of common peoples. He is simply a man of letters with a numbers of famous books, and his columns are highly in demand and his super hit dramas have reflected the versatility of this great personality,” Hina said.
Amjad delivered a brief lecture on poetry and literature, followed by the presentation of some of his poetic masterpieces. “Urdu needs a comprehensive means of promotion in today’s modern times. What one has imagined 100 years ago is now happening in reality. The world is totally changed and so the mode of writing and reading are changed. Now one can simply post his creation on social media and get attention without having any references of magazine editors,” Amjad said.
Amjad was delighted to have the Indian delegation in the program and he thanked everyone for their presence. “Today’s event of Fikr-o-Funn is one of the most beautiful one in a series of ongoing programs during my Riyadh trip,” he added.
Ambassador Manzoor Ul Haq showed his great appreciation for Halqa-e-Fikr-O-Funn for conducting such a literary event and hoped that they will continue their efforts in the promotion of poetry and literature.
Secretary General Halqa-e-Fikr-O-Funn Waqar Naseem Wamiq and a visiting prominent poet from India Massih Jaunpuri presented their works. Dr. Tariq Aziz delivered the vote of thanks.
