Mumbai: A condolence meeting held in memory of Qamarunnisa Saeed Ahmed, wife of Saeed Ahmed, owner and editor of the Urdu daily Urdu Times, and mother of Sohail Ahmed, Managing Editor of the newspaper, witnessed the participation of a large number of eminent journalists, writers, intellectuals, social workers and prominent personalities from various walks of life. The gathering paid rich tributes to her contributions to journalism, education, administration and social service.

The meeting was attended on the dais by Sarfaraz Arzoo, Secretary of the Urdu Journalists Association; Ahmed Izhar of the Urdu Patrakar Sangh; Sohail Ahmed, son of the deceased; and Khalid Manzoor Ahmed of Mumbai Urdu News.

Farooq Ansari, Editor of Urdu Times and President of the Urdu Journalists Association, who has been associated with the newspaper for a long time, said he had been connected with the publication for nearly 42 years and had known Qamarunnisa for almost three decades. Recalling his interactions with her, he said she had always displayed warmth, affection and a sense of familiarity. However, after the crisis of 2016, when she began taking an active role in the newspaper's affairs, a new dimension of her capabilities came to light.

Ansari said Qamarunnisa handled administrative responsibilities with remarkable patience and composure, brought people together and avoided impulsive or emotional reactions even during difficult times. When criticism was directed at her, she chose silence and action over lengthy written rebuttals. He added that she had completed her bachelor's degree and subsequently pursued a journalism course at the University of Mumbai. Her educational achievements and professional work, he said, were a fitting response to her critics.

Senior journalist Javed Jamaluddin said he had begun his journalistic career with Urdu Times nearly 40 years ago.

Saeed Khan described Qamarunnisa as a serious and well-informed woman with a deep understanding of the Urdu language, literature, society and various national and community-related issues.

Shakeel Rashid, Editor of Mumbai Urdu News, said the way Qamarunnisa stepped into the Urdu Times office and assumed responsibility for the organisation after the developments of 2016 demonstrated her exceptional abilities.

Senior Times of India journalist Viju Wadhiauddin said he had shared a cordial relationship with Qamarunnisa. He recalled that she carefully read articles published in newspapers and personally telephoned writers to encourage them whenever she liked an article or column. He said she had demonstrated that knowledge was not confined to universities or academic degrees; a person with a genuine thirst for learning could continue to grow at any stage of life.

Journalist Azam Shahab spoke about Qamarunnisa's humanitarian outlook, saying she quietly helped journalists in need. He recalled that she had made a substantial financial contribution towards the welfare activities of Urdu journalists, helping meet the educational needs of several journalists' children.

Murtaza Bhai, Media Coordinator of SBUT, said Qamarunnisa also engaged seriously with issues such as social development, education and sustainability. He noted that she wanted discussions and conferences to be organised in Urdu on subjects that were already being explored in other languages.

Advocate Zubair Azmi, social worker Saleem Alware, Allama Bunai Naeem Hasani, Imran Alvi and others also addressed the gathering, paying tribute to the late Qamarunnisa and recalling her contributions.

Towards the conclusion of the meeting, Sohail Ahmed, Managing Editor of Urdu Times, paid an emotional tribute to his mother and thanked everyone present for their support and participation. His voice choked with emotion as he spoke about her, and he became visibly emotional at the microphone.

Maulana Naushad Alam offered prayers for the forgiveness of the deceased, the elevation of her spiritual status and patience and strength for the bereaved family.

Among those present at the condolence meeting were Farid Sheikh of the Mumbai Aman Committee, BJP leader Wasim Khan, Rashid Akhtar, Shakeel Ansari, M. Aqleem, Shama Irani, Akram Naik, Yunus Siddiqui, Shibli Rampuri, Shahbaz Siddiqui, Yusuf Sheikh, Ghazala Azad, Matin Khan, Nihal Sagheer, Nadeem Ansari, Ijaz Ansari, Moinuddin, Hina Khan and several others.