JEDDAH — Majlis-e-Iqbal, a Jeddah-based subsidiary of literary and cultural association Aalami Urdu Markaz (AUM), organized a meeting to mark the 77th death anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal at Star Restaurant in Aziziyah District on Friday. Fiza ur Rehman Hashmi presided over the function, while internationally renowned Pakistani poet Zahoor-ur-Islam Jawaid, who came down from the UAE, was the chief guest. The program began with the recitation of a few verses from the Holy Qur'an by Muhammad Asif followed by a Naat by Muhammad Nawaz Janjua. Sher Afzal hummed a famous poem of Iqbal. Hamid-ul-Islam Khan, general secretary AUM, shed light on Jawaid's life and poetic contributions. He said after Jawaid moved to Abu Dhabi to work as an engineer he devoted significant time promoting Urdu language and poetry in the Middle East. He organized Mushaira regularly and has filled the gap left by the late Saleem Jafery. Famous humorist and Urdu writer Mohammed Amanatullah entertained the audience with his skits. While addressing the gathering, Jawaid praised the efforts of AUM to promote Urdu poetry and literature in Saudi Arabia. AUM President Ather Abbasi thanked all guests and participants. He presented a memento to the chief guest. Local poets Farhat Ullah Khan, Kamran, Altaf Shahyar, Afsar Barabunkawi, Irfan Urfi, Irfan Barabunkawi, Shahid Naeem, Anwar Ansari, Naushad Usman, Shiraz Mehdi Zia and Naeem Bazaid Puri made the evening memorable with their rich contributions. Fiza-ur-Rehman spoke little on the true objective of Iqbal's Persian poetry due to small session of time. Renewed social worker Syed Shehabuddin was master of ceremonies.
