RIYADH — The Riyadh chapter of Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association (JMIAA) held its Eid Milan get-together recently in Riyadh in joy and gaiety befitting the occasion, in spite of depressing global events besieging the entire humanity. The event was attended by 150 alumni of Jamia Millia Islamia along with their families. The program commenced with the recitation of the verses from the Qur'an by seven-year-old Mohammad Wisam Najeeb followed by a Naat by Abdurrahman. JMIAA President Ghizal Mahdi welcomed the participants and stressed the need to strengthen social platforms in order to pool their resources and motivate people to render support to the needy and deprived sections. He presented an account as how a small group of Jamiaites has grown in strength in the last six years now numbering over 250 members. He said that one of the main achievements of the association is that old and new members do not feel homesick as the association makes them feel at home. Mehdi introduced 17 new members who arrived in Riyadh in the last six months. The new Jamiaites while presenting their introduction thanked the association for providing them all possible assistance as well as avenues to meet and interact with their batch mates and other fellow Jamiaites. Mehdi also requested the Jamiaites who are employed in various cities of the Kingdom to send their contact details to include in the directory which will be released on Jamia Foundation Day celebrations. The evening was then lit up with the long awaited “Baitbazee-adabee nashisht (literary evening) where two teams compete with each other in reciting poetic couplets and verses. One team was led by Shabbir Nadwi and the other by Haroon Qasmi. There was a lively exchange of couplets which regaled and entertained the audience. Notably, the sufferings of the Palestinians were present in the poetry. Imroz recited couplets depicting the plight of the Palestinians. General Secretary Abid Aqueel read some couplets of Dr. Basheer Badar in his melodious voice. The program was conducted by Abdurrahman while the vote of thanks was presented by the association's vice president, Ghayasuddin. Najeeb Qasmi conducted the program of children who were presented with gifts. — SG
