By Syed Mussarat Khalil

Saudi Gazette.

JEDDAH — Well-known social and cultural organization of Indian community Bazm-e-Ittihad Jeddah (BIJ) organized 7th annual mushaira Bayade Salar-e-Millat and literary awards 2019 at Holiday Inn on Friday.

A large number of distinguished guests, community member from all walks of life and representatives of different segments of society were present. Renowned local and international poets recited incisive verse after verse and exquisite poems to the delight of poetry lovers.

Ahmed Uddin Owaisi, president BIJ international, presided over the gathering. He briefed all about the aims and object of BIJ and the importance of Urdu language, Mushaira and its relevance in promoting national harmony.

He said after a lot of consideration, the organizers presented Salar-e-Millat literary award to famous Hyderabad-based Urdu literary personality Dr. Mustafa Kamal. Mohammad Obaid ur Rehman, vice president BIJ, welcomed the guests and the audience.

Yousuf uddin Amjad, general secretary, Mushaira convener and spokesperson, was master of ceremony. In his opening remarks he said, “Urdu was a perfect symbol of unity in diversity. It was a language of all Indians cutting across religious and regional barriers.”

The poets who graced the event from India and Kuwait were Iqbal Ashhar, Ather Shakeel Naginai, Ahmad Raees Nazmi, Sardar Asar and Masood Hussas. The eminent local poets were Mehtab Qadar, Nasir Burney, Altaf Shehryar, Naeem Jawaid, Badruddin Kamal, Afsar Barabankawi, Farhan Aziz, Iqbal Belan, Mohammad Farhatullah Khan and Naeem Hamid Al-Hamid.

Like every year this year also BIJ selected members for Salar Millat Excellence Award. It was awarded to Azmat Ali Imran, Mohammad Nasir uddin, Mohammad Iftikhar, Mohammad Khawaja Muzaffar uddin and Ashfaq Mohiuddin.

Earlier the ceremony started with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an by Qari Hafiz Mohammad Naim, while the Naat Sharif was presented by famous Naat Khawn of Hyderabad and Jeddah Hafiz Syed Salim Qadri.

Sardar Asar took to the stage and successfully kept the crowd charged through his unique style of compering after lighting the candle of Mushaira. It was an evening of rhythm and rhyme.

At the end, Mirza Qudrat Nawaz Baig, senior member of BIJ, thanked guests, poets, audience and sponsors of the Mushaira.

The sponsors are Shadan Institute of Medical Science (SIMS), Chiko, Jouf Travel and Tourism Agency, ASPRATECH Consultants, DPS School Jeddah, Shadab Restaurant, Al-Amoudi Travels and Al-Hijaz Al-Masi Tour operator.