Urdu Poetry Legend Haneef Akhgar Maleehabadi, 81, Dies in Dallas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) May 31, 2009 -- Note: This Press Release is also being published in Urdu language:

RENOWNED URDU LEGENDARY POET SYED MOHAMMAD HANEEF AKHGAR LOSES FIGHT WITH LUNG CANCER


Justuju Media: Dallas, USA:

Sunday, May 31, 2009

The renowned Urdu poet, Syed Mohammad Haneef Akhgar has died today in a Dallas hospital. He was 81.

He had been diagnosed with a severe lung cancer disease few months ago, and had undergone extensive chemotherapy. His condition deteriorated last night, and he breathed his last this morning.

Haneef Akhgar was born in Malihabad, British India, in 1928.

Haneef Akhgar, a Pakistani American poet, specialized not only in Ghazal genre, but also in Hamd wa Naat. His three Urdu poetry collections have been published so far. Chiraghaan 1989, Khayaban 1997, Khulqe Mujassam 2003. His works are also being published on the internet soon, by Justuju Media, Karachi.

Haneef Akhgar kept the interest in Urdu poetry alive in the north Americas through his literary organization "Halqae Fun wa Adab, North America", and by participating in Urdu poetry recitals in north Americas, and in the sub-continent. He was a regular visitor to the International Mushaairas conducted under the auspices of "Sakinaane Shahre Quaid", Karachi.

Haneef Akhgar had an illustrious career in Financial Management. He was one of the pioneer student and 1970 graduate of IBA, Karachi. He served Pakistan Industrial Credit Investments Corporation, and Investment Corporation of Pakistan; and later moved to New York in early 1970s, as an employee of the United Nations. There he represented United Nations Development Program, as its Ambassador for Arab World and for South East Asia. During his tenure in Riyadh, he closely coordinated his UNDP work with late King Fahd of Saudi Arabia. He retired in 1989, and devoted himself to promoting Urdu, and engaged in extensive philanthropic activities. He was reputed for his piousness and devotion to Islam.

Haneef Akhgar was very popular for his way of reciting his poetry, which was likened to Jigar School. His departure from the Urdu scene leaves scores of his fans sad, and Urdu has lost a great Urdu poet, and a zealous warrior for its literary cause on international stage.

He would be laid to rest in US.,

The readers can send their condolences to his family at this email address: Yousuf67@Yahoo.com.

Haneef Akhgar     Justuju Media     urdu poetry