JEDDAH: The Pakistani community held a send-off function here recently for a prominent doctor and scholar who had lived in the Kingdom for 16 years.

Aalami Urdu Markaz Jeddah organized the farewell dinner in honor of Irfan Hashmi, chairman of Majlis-e-Iqbal and vice president of Aalami Urdu Markaz, both prominent Jeddah-based literary societies.

Hashmi, who left for a job in the US, thanked the organizers and assembled guests for their good wishes. He said that he had attempted to use his skills to help people irrespective of race and religion, and the good deeds of Muslims would help propagate Islam.

The function began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an by Qari Mohammad Asif. The “naat” was recited by Muhammad Nawaz Janjua followed by a poem of Allama Iqbal by Sher Afzal Malik.

Pakistan Welfare Consul Tahseem-ul-Haq Haqqi presided over the event and Shakib Haider was the chief guest. President of Aalami Urdu Markaz Athar Abbasi welcomed the guests. Hamid Islam Khan anchored the event.

Abbasi praised Hashmi for his contribution to Urdu and for being a true Pakistani patriot. “Hashmi demonstrated his love for Iqbal by constantly reciting his poetry in the Kingdom,” said Abbasi.

Hamid Islam Khan praised Hashmi for his contribution to spreading the message of Allama Iqbal. “Dr. Hashmi has lived in Saudi Arabia for over 16 years. He served at King Abdul Aziz Hospital as a consultant physician and endocrinologist and is now moving to the United States,” he said.

He said Hashmi was a compassionate person who went out of his way to help the needy in the community. He also made a significant contribution to promoting Urdu in the Kingdom, he said.

Haqqi also paid rich tribute to the physician, whom he described as a very kind-hearted and sociable personality. “Dr. Hashmi has not only promoted the Urdu language and Allama Iqbal’s vision from the platform of Aalami Urdu Markaz but also served the community as a competent physician whenever required,” he said.

Amir Khurshid, joint secretary of Aalami Urdu Markaz, said that Hashmi was a “highly skilled doctor whose selfless services shall always be remembered.” He said everyone was sad to see him go and that he was leaving behind a “huge vacuum.”

In his address, Shakib Haider, a member of Aalami Urdu Markaz’s advisory council, thanked Hashmi for his services to the society and Urdu literature. Haider said that Hashmi’s absence would be felt in the community.

Secretary General of Majlis-e-Iqbal Syed Shehabuddin praised Hashmi for his “splendid services.”