RIYADH — Recently the Riyadh-based Urdu poets gathered to lay the foundation for a literary organization named as "Tukhiyal Adabi Forum". The first joint and introductory meeting session was held at Kashan-e-Adab, where 13 of its founding and executive members attended a historic session this past weekend. The 7 office bearers that attended this marked session included as follows: Mansour Mehboob Chaudhry (patron In-chief), Dr. Riaz Chaudhry (president), Muhammad Sabar Qashang (vice president), Yousuf Ali Yousuf (general secretary), Rashid Mehmoud (deputy secretary), Mohsin Raza Samar (finance secretary), Shahid Khialwi (media secretary) and Asad Kamal (public relations secretary). Whereas other founding and executive members who also attended included: Imran Ashraf, Zeeshan, Abrar ul Haq, Qaiser Khan, Waris Ansari and Salman Siddiqui. President Tukhayal Adabi Forum, Dr. Riaz is a well-known personality among the community in Riyadh solely due to his contributions towards promotion of literary activities. Professionally, he is Ph.D. (US), LL.B. (Punjab) and has served for about 37 years as a faculty member in various higher education institutions in the Kingdom. He is an author of two books in English besides that he has also written a book on Urdu literature entitled, "Khushboo Kay Jhonke|. He has served many literary forums in Riyadh as its president. Mansour Chaudhry, patron In-chief and a senior banker by profession, has been contributing to the Urdu literature through his poems and articles in recent years. He is an active member of the society when it comes to culture, music and literature. His poetry is a reflection of human nature and social aspects. Yousuf, general secretary and a marketing and business development consultant by profession, is a renowned literary person and Urdu poet-living in Riyadh for more than 2 decades. He has hosted many memorable literary events in the past. Currently he is the general secretary of multiple literary organizations. During this session, the members were found to be quite enthusiastic at the founding of Tukhayal Adabi Forum. Each one of them expressed their happiness and vowed to work for the success of this forum. They also presented their works of poetry to the gathering and won appreciations.
