By: Syed Zia ur Rahman, YaHind.Com
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – On July 22, 2025, a heartfelt reception was hosted by Dr. Mohammad Ashraf at the esteemed Mezbeen Darbar Restaurant in Hai Al-Wazarat (Hara) to celebrate the arrival of Dr. Abdul Rashid Junaid, Joint Editor of Gawah Weekly Newspaper, Hyderabad. The event, organized by the Riyadh chapter of the International Journalists Fraternity Forum (IJFF), drew a vibrant gathering of Urdu enthusiasts and distinguished members of the Indian expatriate community in Riyadh.
The ceremony was attended by prominent non-resident Indians, including Architect Abdul Rahman Saleem (A. R. Saleem) from Chicago, Engineer Mohammed Mubin based in Riyadh, Dr. Idris from Shifa Medical Group of Companies, Aftab Nizami, Senior Journalist Mohammed Saifuddin, Khalid Abdul Kareem, and many others. The event underscored Dr. Junaid’s remarkable contributions to Urdu journalism and his pivotal role at Gawah Newspaper, fostering a sense of unity and pride among the Indian diaspora.
In his address, Dr. Junaid paid tribute to the late Mir Firasat Ali Khusro for his invaluable contributions to Urdu. He also commended Architect Abdul Rahman Saleem and Dr. Abid Moiz for promoting Urdu by organizing events such as the 400 Years celebration of Hyderabad, and Syed Zia ur Rahman of YaHind.Com for his dedicated efforts in community service through his online portal. Dr. Junaid emphasized the need to revive morning schools in masajids to impart Islamic education, character building, and life skills to children. He expressed concern over the youth staying up late in the night and missing early morning opportunities for learning, urging the community to prioritize these schools. Additionally, he advocated for including Urdu as a subject in school curricula to nurture future Urdu journalists.
Architect Abdul Rahman Saleem shared insights into his efforts to promote Urdu in the early 1990s. He recounted founding Bazm-e-Urdu Hyderabad to mark the city’s 400th anniversary, later renamed Hindustani Bazm-e-Urdu, with Dr. Abid Moiz as one of its founding members. As a member of the academic committee at the International Indian Schools in Riyadh, during the tenure of Ambassador Ishrat Aziz, IFS Officer Syed Akbaruddin as Schools In-Charge, and Principal Afsar Khan, he initiated Urdu writing, oratory, and poetry competitions. Though initial participation was low, the program gained momentum, eventually requiring shortlisting to accommodate only 50 students per batch. Saleem also highlighted Dr. Abid Moiz’s significant contributions to promoting Urdu in both Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and India as a founding member of Hindustani Bazm-e-Urdu.
The event, hosted by the IJFF Riyadh chapter, reflected the community’s deep appreciation for Dr. Junaid’s work and reinforced the shared commitment to preserving and promoting Urdu language and culture among Indian expatriates in Saudi Arabia.
Source: Inputs from Senior Journalist Basith Abu Maaz
