One of Qatar’s oldest literary organisations, Bazm-e-Urdu Qatar (BUQ) has elected its new executive committee. The new committee was installed at an Iftar hosted by noted businessman and Chief Patron of the Bazm, MS Bukhari at Moti Mahal restaurant.
Bukhari welcomed the guests and expressed his happiness and satisfaction that all the Urdu community of Qatar is together and sitting under one roof to attend the Iftar.
“It is great to see everyone under one roof and show their solidarity towards Urdu and Urdu lovers,” said Bukhari, extending his best wishes to the new committee in their work. He advised them to conduct a collaborative Global Urdu Meet in Qatar and to show the world the aptitude for the language in Qatar. The meeting will also serve as a platform to showcase what has been accomplished in the language in Qatar and other parts of the world. 
Bukhari also narrated a prayer written by great Urdu poet Allama Iqbal. The new committee members are: Chairman — Shaukat Ali Naz; Vice Chairman — Mansoor Azmi; President — Aijaz Haider; Vice President — Ather Azmi; Secretary Public Relations — Qaiser Masood; Secretary Media Coverage — Tahir Jamil; and Treasurer — Raqim Azmi.
Bazm-e-Urdu organises monthly mushaira (poetic gatherings) and annual symposiums, inviting prominent poets from India and Pakistan to present their poetries. A number of noted personalities have spoken on topics such as Nazir Akbarabadi, Mir Anis, Akbar Allahabadi, and Bahadur Shah Zafar, famous poets from the subcontinent.
The Bazm has also provided a platform for advancement of cultural, social and literary activities for the entire South Asian community, also involving the poets from GCC countries.
Bukhari, who is also the MD of Satco International, thanked the guests who joined in the celebration. The guests included Girish Kumar (President ICC), KM Varghese (President IBPN), Arvind Patil (President ICBF), and community leaders like Hasan Chougule, Mohammed Atiq, MIFarid, Ali Frabi, Nilangshu Dey, Sulaiman Dehlvi, Milan Arun, Karim Abdulla, Farzana Safdar (Q-Radio), Salim Pathan (Qatar Floor Mills) and many more.
Presidents, vice-presidents and general secretaries of many Urdu and other organisations — including Anjuman Muhibban-e-Urdu Hind Qatar, Majlis Frogh Urdu Adab, Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association, World Bihar Organization, India Association of Bihar and Jharkhand, Kainat Foundation, Jamia Millia Islamiya Association, Bazm-e- Sadaf, KMCA, Konkan (LAMA Int.), Qatar Indian Association for Sports Games and representatives of Qatar Football Association — also attended the Iftar.
Supplication was made before opening of the fast by Habibun Nabi, the deputy chief patron. At the end of Iftar and the function, Nabi thanked everyone for attending the Iftar.
Established in 1959, Bazm is one of the oldest Urdu literary organisations of Qatar with members from India, Pakistan and other countries.
The organisation has played a key role in the promotion of Urdu language and literature in Qatar. The forum invited various poets from outside Qatar in 1984 and paved the way for international mushairas in the country.
From 1991 onwards, the forum has been holding objective seminars on legendary maestros. The seminars included Mir Seminar (1991), Iqbal Seminar (1992), Ghalib Seminar (1993), Afsana Seminar (1994), Amir Khusro Seminar (1995), Mir Anis Seminar (1996), Akbar Allahabadi Seminar (2003), Hali Seminar (2006), Zauq Seminar (2007), Nazir Akbarabadi Seminar (2009) and Bahadur Shah Zafar Seminar (2011).