A social figure, Sharif Aslam, was honored in a function organized Thursday by the Andhra Pradesh community in particular and Indian community in general in a hotel in Jeddah. More than 20 organizations from Jeddah and Riyadh gathered at the hotel Thursday night to appreciate Aslam's services in journalism for more than half century. The program started with recitation of the Holy Quran by Qari Abdul Basit Abdul Bari and followed by poetry reading in praise of Prophet Mohammed (phub) by Qari and Hafiz Saleem Qadri. The event's convener, Hasan Bayazeed, delivered his welcome speech that highlighted Aslam's achievements. At least 20 social welfare, cultural and literary organizations in Jeddah and Riyadh decided to recognize his humanitarian, literary, cultural, social, educational and journalistic endeavors as well as for propagating the Urdu language over the past 50 years. The function was led by Shakeel Ahmed, consul for education and culture, and chief guest Syed Ahmed Ziauddin Sr., vice president of the Saudi Hollandi Bank in Riyadh and chairman of the Saudi Banks and Financial Institutions Committee. Guests of honor were Rashid Khan, consul for commerce, Dr. Zain ul Abideen, deputy chairman of the Saudi Chamber of Commerce-Yanbu, Tariq Mishkhas, managing editor of Urdu News, Tariq Anwar, CFO and VP Finance of M/s. Hidada Ltd. and Dr. Maulana Abdul Rahim from Makkah Mukarrama. Badr Ansari, who gave a brief introduction of the honoree, said Aslam started his career as journalist in Urdu newspapers that included the Nizam Gazette, Siasat, Rahnuma-e-Deccan and others. Towards the end of the function, Aslam was bestowed the title “Nishat e Deccan” and a memento to honor his works by Dr. Faizul Abideen, Shameem Kausar andHasan Bayazeed Ather.
