RIYADH — Hindustani Bazme Urdu an organisation working for the promotion of Urdu language in association with Bazme Urdu Toastmasters Club felicitated the Indian poets who came to participate in Annual Mushaira conducted by Embassy of India recently here. HBU President Abdul Rahman Saleem presided over the function and welcomed the gathering. He highlighted the organization's activities, prominent amongst them was the starting of Toastmasters Club in Urdu. This club helps Urdu speaking members to hone their communication and leadership skills. Chief guest Dr. Hifzur Rahman, second secretary Embassy of India, lauded the services of Hindustani Bazme Urdu to the community. He announced that Hindustani Bazme Urdu has decided to extend financial help to deserving Urdu poets in publishing their works and the first beneficiary of this scheme is senior poet Akthar Gwaliori. He also thanked the Indian community for making the annual Mushaira a grand success. Speaking on behalf of the poets, Nadeem Siddique and Tarannum Riaz expressed their gratitude to Hindustani Bazme Urdu for honouring the poets. Siddqui also paid rich tributes to HBU for promoting the Urdu language in this part of the world. Senior poet Akthar Gwaliori recited a poem. Prominent businessman Mir Muzaffar Ali presented bisht — a traditional Arabic men's cloak popular in Arabia and some Arab countries to the poets. It is essentially a flowing outer cloak made of wool, worn over the thobe. Unlike the thobe, it is usually black, brown, beige, cream or grey in color. He gave bisht and other gifts to the poets. The program started with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by Hafiz Aleemuddin, and was attended by prominent members of the Indian community such as Suhail Ahmed, president AMOUBA, Sultan Mazharuddin, managing committee member of IISR, Mohammed Quaiser, president Tanzeem Hum Hindustani, B.S.Khan, Javed Ansari, Dr. Rumi, Tariq Masood, Tajamul Ali Khan, Mohammed Javed Quddus, M.A. Rasool, Mohammed Azizuddin, and others. K.N.Wasif, Ghouse Arsalan and Syed Zia ur Rahman were also present. Toastmaster Mohammed Mubin anchored the event while Mohammed Shahbaz Farooqui extended the vote of thanks.
