By: Abdul Rahman M. Baig, YaHind.Com
Jeddah – To promote Urdu language and to mark India’s National Education Day celebrated every year in the memory of the India’s first Education Minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the Urdu Academy Jeddah organized the silver jubilee of the literary program at the premises of the Indian Consulate on 21stNovember 2025.
Prominent Saudi businessman and Patron of the Urdu Academy, Abdul Qadeer Hassan Siddiqui, served the event as the Chief Guest, while Mohammed Abdus Salam, President of the Urdu Academy, presided at the function. The Chief Guest, Abdul Qadeer Siddiqui, was welcomed with a floral bouquet presented by Ahmed Syed Nayeemuddin.
The program commenced with Hafiz Mohammed NizamuddinGhori reciting several verses from the Holy Quran, after which Syed Mohammed Khaled Hussain, Vice President of the Academy, recited a Naat. Muhammad Yasir Qadri delivered an emotive poem regarding the cherished homeland.
The function proceeded with Ishan Abdul Rauf, Rehan O’Dayan, and John Matthew Geo performing the Indian National Anthem.
Mohammed Aslam Afghani, executive member of Urdu Academy Jeddah served as the master of ceremony.
Syed Nayeemuddin Bari, the Academy’s General Secretary, presented the welcome speech and graciously greeted all the esteemed guests, participants, and audience members.
To celebrate the silver jubilee, the chief guest Abdul Qadeer Siddiqui ignited the candle.
Speaking at the function, Abdul Qadeer Siddiqui remarked, “The work accomplished by the Urdu Academy over the last 25 years is noteworthy, and the initiatives to advance the Urdu language are praiseworthy.” He also valued the speeches delivered by different students from different schools and praised the academy for fostering and nurturing a passion for the language in them at such a young age. He stated, “I urge all community organizations to implement such programs in the future to foster the Urdu language and assist in raising awareness about languages among children.”
Abdul Salam, the Academy’s president, emphasized the academic and cultural significance of the Urdu language during his speech. He also recounted the history of the academy’s creation and foundation, detailing its founders: Late Ghulam Asif Samdani, Muhammad Naeemullah Sharif, Late Syed Jamalullah Qadri, and Saleem Farooqi (President of the Urdu Academy Jeddah, Hyderabad Chapter), in a highly effective and thorough way. He further stated, “The Urdu language will not only thrive in the future, but it is quickly expanding globally.” Similar to the Urdu Academy, which seeks to advance the Urdu language, others are also engaged in this effort. In the end, he offered an emotional and heartfelt prayer for the victims of the accident en route to Madinah. Finally, he for the martyrs of theaccident on the way to Madinah.
Syed Abdul Wahab Qadri, Joint Program Coordinator, engaged the audience by reciting partial couplets of Urdu poetry, with the audience joyfully completing them. The Academy representatives offered gifts to the attendees who gave the right responses.
Dr. Khaja Yaminuddin, a member of the Academy’s executive team, shared valuable and detailed insights about the “Fit India Movement and the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020).”
The souvenir of the Silver Jubilee Edition of Urdu Academy Jeddah was also unveiled by the chief guest. Sheikh Ibrahim, the editor of this magazine and Superintendent of the Urdu Academy in Jeddah & Hyderabad Chapter, has been fulfilling this vital role effectively for the past 25 years.
The most touching aspect of the event was the “Emotional Awakening Drama,” where the students movingly showcased the increasing tendency to leave parents in old age homes, particularly mothers, in senior care facilities. This drama made a profound impact on the audience’s emotions and effectively expressed the significance of parental greatness. This play was performed by Bushra Muhammad Bashar, Aqsa Aftab, RumisaAamir Baig, Ayesha Naseh Siddiqui, Asfiya Shirin, and AmanSameer, with guidance from Teacher Farzana Begum from IISJ.
The main feature of the program was the Urdu and English speech competitions between the students, where contestants from both languages expressed their ideas on various topics with remarkable quality and unparalleled confidence. The competitions were skillfully overseen by Syeda Umatul Aziz Fatima.
Asim Zeeshan and Mohammed Moinuddin evaluated the Urdu competition, with Arshad Ali Javed serving as the Chief Judge. The English contest included judges Asim Zeeshan, Saji Kuriakose, and Sameer Veeran. Shaheer Abdul Qadeer was the Chief Judge for the English contest, while Mohammed RabiurRahman served as the Timer.
Winners of the Urdu speech among boys were Muhammad Furqan Fahim, who was declared the winner of the English speech among boys. Abdullah Atiq was the first runner-up, Syed Khaja Rayanuddin was second runner-up, Mustafa Khan was third runner-up, and Abdul Rahman Muhammad was fourth runner-up.
Winners of the Urdu speech contest among the girls were Falak Jilani was the winner, Shams Isa Shabibi, first runner up, Rufaydah Abeer Yaminuddin second runner up, Sarah Asrar third runner up and Maryam Fatima fourth runner up.
Winners of the English speech contest among the boys were: Muhammad Abdullah Khan was declared first position, Farhan Bin Nazir second, Hamid Sirajuddin third and Muhammad Atif fourth.
Winners of the English speech contest among the girls were:Sundus Muhammad came first position, Jaza Fatima came second, Amina Khan came third and Samara Asif came fourth.
This Silver Jubilee event could not have taken place without the assistance of the Urdu Academy’s executive members, including Sami Ahmed Farooqi, Treasurer, Dr. Mirza Qudrath Nawaz Baig, Joint Secretary, Muhammad Yousuf Waheed, Muhammad Yahya and Ms. Sirajul Nisa, who oversaw the program’s arrangements.
Syed Mohammed Khalid Hussain, Vice President of the Academy, presented the vote of thanks. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Consul General of India in Jeddah, Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri, and all his assistants, as well as the heads and representatives of various organizations in Jeddah, terming their participation an honor and appreciating the efforts of the Academy. He also congratulated fellow members of the Academy for making this Silver Jubilee a great success. He further thanked all the sponsors and coordinators of the program.
The Darul Ilm team, supervised by Hafiz Muhammad Nizamuddin Ghori, provided voluntary assistance in overseeing and managing the program. The team of assistants comprised Muhammad Waseem Ahmed, Muhammad Sarfaraz, Muhammad Sharafuddin Sharafi, Hafiz Muhammad Jamil, Muhammad Sameer, Hafiz Muhammad Zeeshan Ali, Hafiz Muhammad Zubair, Muhammad Azeem, Muhammad Tauseef, and Hafiz Muhammad Mujtaba Khan, among others.
Notable attendees include Awais Patni, Member, Higher Board, Dr. Saleem, Former Chairman of the IISJ Managing Committee; Prince Mufti Zia, Mohammed Shameem Kausar (KTT), Mahtab Qadr (Urdu Gulban), Syed Afzaluddin, Muhammad Laeeq (Global Telangana Organisation), Qamar Saada (Bhatkal Community), Shafaat Rehman (Wipro); Muhammad Farooq (BIJ) and others.
The media team comprised Sheikh Aleem (AK News), the media team of Muhammad Nazim, Muhammad Abdul Rahim, and Hafiz Syed Athar, who effectively handled photography, video coverage, and information recording. As a result, the program was simultaneously aired live in various nations.
A sumptuous dinner was also served by Sweetheart restaurant.
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