By: Syed Zia ur Rahman, YaHind.Com
Hyderabad, October 31, 2025 – Writer and editor Mahmood Shahid launched his new bi-monthly Urdu magazine Afsana Numaa yesterday at a literary event held on the 6th floor of Green Summit Building, Sabza Colony, in Tolichowki, Hyderabad. The gathering was hosted by esteemed architect and community leader Abdul Rahman Saleem (A.R. Saleem), who was on a short visit to Hyderabad from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, en route to Chicago, USA and Architect Imran Saleem, as a Joint Host.
The program featured a book launch, a poetry reading session (mushaira), and a luncheon, bringing together poets, scholars, and former non-resident Indians (NRIs) to celebrate Urdu literature.
Shahid was passing through Hyderabad briefly while traveling from Aligarh to Kadapa, inspiring Saleem to organize the event. Published under the Waseela banner, Afsana Numaa focuses on short stories and narratives to nurture emerging Urdu writers.
The launch was officiated by A.R. Saleem, Prof. Muzaffar Shahmiri, and Dr. Abid Moiz. Prof. Shahmiri presided over the prose discussion and mushaira. In his address, he highlighted the benefits of bilingual education in Urdu and English, noting how his children thrived after attending Urdu-medium schools. He recited a poignant couplet on language preservation: “When a man is lynched, only he dies; but when a language is lynched, the entire community perishes.”
Speakers in the prose session discussed the magazine’s potential to connect Indian and overseas communities through storytelling. Shahid shared how Afsana Numaa was born amid the COVID-19 challenges that hit his Waseela channel hard. “It’s a mirror to our untold stories and the poetry in daily life,” he remarked.
A.R. Saleem opened the event by reflecting on Hyderabad’s rich literary heritage. Dr. Abid Moiz, a prominent Urdu writer on health and nutrition, served as anchor. Dr. Ozair Ghazi spoke on the healing power of stories for communities, while Engr. M.A. Hameed urged self-reliance through rural education initiatives.
Anchored by Atyab Aijaz, the mushaira captivated the audience with verses on love, exile, and resilience, as poets recited evocative ghazals, nazms, and humorous pieces to enthusiastic applause. The talented lineup included Prof. Muzaffar Shahmiri, Mr. Atyab Aijaz, Mr. Shakeel Hyder, Dr. Aleem Khan Falaki, Mr. Baseer Khalid, Mr. Najeeb Ahmed, Mr. Saif Nizami, Dr. Yasmeen Akhtar, Dr. Sayeed Nawaz, Mr. Lateefuddin Lateef, and Mr. A.R. Saleem.
The event concluded with a traditional Hyderabadi lunch. Notable guests included ex-NRIs such as Syed Zia ur Rahman (Managing Director, ZITCO Group and Founder, YaHind.Com), Architect M.A. Raoof Ateeq, Intesar Alavi (Krishna Western Hospital), and Jaweed Kamal (Maulana Azad Research Institute).
The launch underscored the timeless relevance of Urdu literature in fostering cultural bonds.
