Tributes pour in for late Urdu journalist

Members of the Indian community paid rich tributes to Sharief Aslam, a veteran Urdu journalist, humorist and anchor, who died in Jeddah recently.
At an event, organized by Bazm-e-Ittehad, Khak-e-Taiba Trust (KTT) and Twin Cities Youth Welfare Association in coordination with Urdu Academy, Noor Education Society, Urdu Gulban, Telangana Non-Resident Indians Forum and Deccan Non-Resident Indians Group, well-known Indians recalled the many contributions of the good-natured Aslam.
Some of Sharief Aslam’s close relatives and acquaintances attended and spoke at the event. Sharief Aslam was in his 80s when he breathed his last. He left behind two wives, five sons, Shakeel, Shafi, Azam, Aman and Imran, and three daughters, Suraiyya, Sabiha and Fouzia.
Sharief Aslam’s brother, Mahmood Ali, was also present at the event. In private and public conversations, Aslam would always reiterate that it was his younger brother Ali who got him to Saudi Arabia more than three decades ago.
“I would always feel a little embarrassed,” recalled Ali, but he would repeat it to everyone. “He was an excellent brother and a very good human being. He was a people’s man, and an excellent conversationalist,” he told Arab News. “He had the knack of winning over people.”
Syed Ali Mahmood of Bazm-e-Ittehad shed light on Aslam’s life. “We cannot forget our association with him. We spent nearly 35 years with him.”
Mohammed Shameem Kausar of the Khak-e-Taiba Trust (KTT) said: “Sharief Aslam was a noble person as I found him very dedicated toward community work.”
Urdu Academy President Syed Jamalullah Qadri read aloud some of the famous couplets that Aslam would always recite at literary meetings.
Urdu Gulban President Mahtab Qadr recalled his association with Aslam and said he was a wonderful human being who lived life to the fullest. “The void left by him cannot be filled, he was a multifaceted personality and we will miss him,” he said.
Aijaz Ahmed Khan, well-known cricketer and social worker, described Aslam as his inspiration. “He was the one who encouraged me into community work,” he said. “I feel sad at his loss.”
Indian Engineers Forum (IEF) President Mohammad Sayeeduddin said Aslam taught everyone an important lesson in life. “That one should always smile and make others laugh. That is the best gift we can offer one another.”
Two of Aslam’s sons, Shafi and Aman, thanked the community for its outpouring of love for their father.
Among others who spoke and attended the event were Khaled Quadeer, Syed Zaheeruddin, Mubassirul Azam (IDB), Mohammad Mahmood, Hasan Bayazid, N.A. Mirza, Azmat Emran, Syed Shujauddin, Razzaq Mohiuddin, Shaikh Ibrahim, Mohammed Abbas Khan and Khalid Hussain Madani.
Philanthropist and KTT Trustee Syed Khaja Viqaruddin and Bazm-e-Ittehad spokesperson Yousufuddin Amjad anchored the program.