Renowned poet Amjad Islam Amjad receives Turkish award

ISLAMABAD:  Noted Pakistani writer and poet Amjad Islam Amjad received the prestigious ‘Necip Fazil International Culture & Art Award’ during a ceremony held in Istanbul on Saturday evening.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Vice President Fuat Oktay, Culture & Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya as well as leading literary figures and media personalities attended the ceremony.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Mr Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi was also present. Necip Fazil International Culture & Art Award is organised by Turkey’s leading newspaper Star under the auspices of Turkish Ministry of Culture & Tourism annually.

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Pakistan’s distinguished literary figure Amjad Islam Amjad was selected for his contribution in creating remarkable impression in the literary and artistic world. The awards are organized to honor the cultural and literary heritage of the idealist, poet and thinker Necip Fazil. He is one of the great Turkish poets whose poetry, fiction and political writings had a profound impact on the new generations of Turkey.

President Erdogan congratulated awards recipients including poet Ibrahim Tenekeci, writer Cemal Sakar, poet Meryem Kilic, short-story writer Emin Gurdamur, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Akif Aydın, and Coskun Yılmaz for knowledge research and Prof. Ugur Derman for Necip Fazıl Award of Respect. Amjad Islam Amjad was the only foreign recipient of Necip Fazil Award in 2019.

Congratulating him for receiving the Award, President Erdogan said Amjad is one of the important poets of modern Urdu literature and a prominent figure from Pakistan who apart from literature, has career in journalism and script writing.

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 President Erdogan said Pakistan is always a brotherly country and a cherished friend for Turkey. He noted that while relationships are based on mutual benefits, Turkey-Pakistan friendship is exemplary for the entire world as it is based on sincerity and solidarity. He said that the Turkey-Pakistan ties would be further strengthened in the days to come.

Amjad Islam Amjad received his award from Treasury & Finance Minister Berat Albayrak. In his acceptance speech, he thanked the jury for considering his works for this prestigious award. He said Turkey is close to every Pakistani’s heart. He said receiving this award in presence of Turkish President Erdogan is a great honour.

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“I consider Erdogan as greatest leader of the Muslim world in present times,” said Amjad. He hoped to see a translation centre of Muslims and developing countries for better understanding of common problems.

Ambassador Syrus Qazi stated that the Necip Fazil Award was an acknowledgement of Amjad Islam’s outstanding contributions in the literary field. The ambassador highlighted the depth of love, affection and respect among the Turkish people and leadership for Pakistan and its people.