By Waqar Naseem Wamiq
RIYADH – Halqa-e-Fikr-O-Funn, a leading literary organization, celebrated 140th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam (Great Leader) Muhammad Ali Jinnah at Kashana-e-Adab in Riyadh.
The event was attended by poets, writers and representatives of the Pakistani community. Dr. Muhammad Riaz Chaudhary, president of Halqa-e-Fikr-Funn, chaired the event. Researcher Dr. Ziad Murtaza Malik was the chief guest and writer Bashir Mirza was the guest of honor.
The even began with the recitation of a few verses of Holy Qur’an by Dr. Mahmood Ahmed Bajwa, followed by a Naat by Abid Shamoon Chand.
Speaking on the occasion, Chaudhary said, “We should adhere the teachings of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in order to become a successful nation. The world witnessed the successful campaign of Pakistan movement under the leadership of Jinnah for an independent country for Muslims of the subcontinent from 1940 to 1947 that resulted in the formation of Pakistan”.
Malik said Jinnah as a dynamic leader who was blessed with wonderful qualities of leadership. “His intelligent responses and his positive actions proved him as a world class leader,” he said.
The famous 14-point response written by Jinnah to the Nehru Report of 1928 outlining the proposed dominion status constitution for India was the high point that led the Muslims of the subcontinent to their successful destination, Malik said, adding that Jinnah recommended reforms that would defend the rights of Muslims.
Renowned journalist Javed Iqbal gave a brief presentation about a rare memorabilia of his visit of Lincoln’s Inn where Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had studied. He disclosed some facts about Jinnah’s joining Lincoln’s Inn.
Poets of Fikr-O-Funn, Muhammad Sabar Qashang, Yousaf Ali Yousaf, Waqar Naseem Wamiq and Dr. Hina Ambreen paid rich tributes to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in poems presented on the occasion.
Notable speakers Rashid Butt, Dr. Tariq Aziz, Tasaduq Gilani, Chaudhary Muhammad Mobeen, Riaz Rathore and Amin Tajir highlighted the historic and tireless struggle by the father of the nation.
The event also marked the farewell for writer Bashir Mirza who is leaving the Kingdom for good. Halqa-e-Fikr-O-Funn presented a memento to Mirza and praised his extraordinary services to the literary circles of Riyadh.
Mirza thanked the organizers for giving him so much respect and recalled some memorable moments of his life in Riyadh. The event concluded with a sumptuous dinner.
