BSI organises first-ever Gulf Urdu Conference in Doha

Distinguished poets and writers from the Gulf countries joined the literary bonanza, which was followed by a poetry symposium at the first-ever Gulf Urdu Conference hosted by Bazm-e-Sadaf International (BSI).

Prominent among the authors who joined included Dr Sarwat Zahra (Dubai), who also received the BSI New Generation author award for 2019 for her poetry and literary work. Shahid Riaz (Bahrain), Mohamed Tufail Ahmed (Oman), Masood Hassas (Kuwait), Aisha Sheikh Aashi (UAE) and Samia Naz Malik (Sharjah) were the other guests. Adil Muzaffarpuri was meant to join from Saudi Arabia but had some last-minute technical issues.They discussed activities that are being undertaken by various literary forums for the promotion of the Urdu language and literature in their respective countries. The programme started with a welcome speech by BSI Doha Chapter president Dr Nadeem Jilani Danish, who outlined various activities over the last year, which included many online and offline programmes and the Bazme Sadaf Urdu Classes for English medium students. BSI chairman Shahabuddin Ahmad, in his inaugural address, referred to the recent international seminar organised by BSI in Kolkata and Hyderabad to celebrate 200 years of Urdu journalism and various books published by Bazme Sadaf last year. He also announced BSI will soon organise an international literary festival in Doha with participants from more than 20 countries.The inaugural function was presided over by BSI chief patron Hassan Abdul Karim Chougule. Noted businessman Azeem Abbas was the chief guest. Sophia Bukhari and professor Syed Javaid Zaidi were the guests of honour. After the inaugural event, guests were presented with traditional shawls and mementos. Speakers lauded the effort of BSI in organising the event which would prove to be a milestone in the promotion of the Urdu language and literature in the Gulf region.Poet and BSI programme director Ahmad Ashfaq anchored the inaugural session deftly. Two books on the history of Urdu journalism by Safdar Imam Qadri, a poetry collection of Ehya Bhojpuri, a book on the English translation of selected poems of Dr Sarwat Zagra and an album of a collection of Naat by Dr Nadeem Jilani were also released in the inaugural session.A panel discussion on the topic, 'Gulf region: The new Dabistan (School) of Urdu' was conducted by Dr Danish and Ahmad Ashfaq. Participants were asked to enumerate the activities that were being undertaken for the promotion of the Urdu language and literature in their respective countries. The topics debated also included the script of Urdu and the advantages and disadvantages of adapting Devanagari or Roman script, besides the role of translation in increasing the reach of Urdu literature far and wide in the world.The panel discussion was followed by an international poetry symposium conducted by guest poetess from the UAE Ayesha Shaikh Aashi and presided over by Dr Sarwat Zahra. Tahir Jameel, Mansi Sharma, Raquim Azmi, Wasi ul Haq Wasi, Maqsood Anwar Maqsood, Dr Nadeem Jilani Danish, Ahmad Ashfaq, Samia Naz Malik (Sharjah), Masood Hassas (Kuwait), Tufail Ahmad (Oman) and Riyaz Shahid (Bahrain) presented their poems. Dr Danish in his vote of thanks especially mentioned programme co-ordinator Mohamed Irfanullah,vice-president Mohamed Salahuddin, Rafat Jahan and other members of BSI Doha chapter executive team for their efforts in making the programme a success.