To release the Special Magazine Edition of Shihaab, brought out as Qasim Sajad Number in memory of founder editor of the newspaper, an event was organized at the Town Hall Anantnag today in which journalists and litterateurs paid tributes to the late journalist who passed away in October this year.
Justice (r) Bashir Ahmad Kirmani presided over the function, while as noted writer and Convener of Kashmiri Advisory Board Sahitya Akademi Ghulam Nabi Atish attended as Chief Guest. Seniors journalists and writers Tahir Mohi-U Din, Prof Nasir Mirza, Zahid Mukhtar, Ali Shaida, Raja Yusuf and Muhammad Amin Wani were Guests of Honour of the event.
Terming Qasim Sajad a nonconforming journalist who lived by his own set standards in journalism, Justice Kirmani said there are always challenges every journalist faces and editor of Shihab accepted them fearlessly. “My friend might have faltered in political journey, but as a journalist he took side of the truth without caring for the consequences,” he added. Commenting on the myriad issues late Sajad used to touch in his columns, Justice Kirmani said; “journalist and journalism by virtue of role and responsibility assume a genuine sanctity, and journalists have to use this privilege for revival of social institutions particularly systems of politics, justice and journalism itself.”
Sharing four decades of his association with Late Sajad , Ghulam Nabi Atish said he played a pivotal role in bringing South Kashmir on the regular journalistic and literary scene of Kashmir in 1970s. “He was as honest and scathing in his poetry as in writings; grappling with personal and professional issues, he didn’t give up on his cherished ideals as a journalist and poet,” he maintained.
Earlier senior journalist and BBC correspondent Riyaz Masroor, senior journalist Haroon Reshi and poet, writer, journalist Zahid Mukhtar and welcomed the participants and shared their views on the contributions of late Sajad.
Those who paid tributes to founder editor of Shibab include Tahir Mohi U Din, Prof Nasir Mirza, Riyaz Malik, Hakeem Irfan, Ali Shaida, Dr Hasrat Husain,S Tariq and Ata Muhammad Mir.
On behalf of Anantnag Journalists’ Association, its President S Tariq presented a citation posthumously to editor Shihab.
The event was attended by journalists, writers, poets and family members of late Sajad including Tariq Bhat, Zafar Iqbal, Azan Javaid, Anees Zargar, Akash Hasan, Shakeel Azad, Ashfaq Sayeed, Syedain Waqar, Amir Peerzada, Shahid Tantray, Tajamul, Zahoor Gulzar, Zahoor Rizvi, Parvez Majeed Dr Intikhab Alam and Muhammad Qaid.
The proceedings of the event were conducted by Riyaz Masroor. Majid Jahangir proposed the vote of thanks.
