Noted fiction writer Syed Mohammad Ashraf receives Ghalib Award

ALIGARH : Prof. Qamarul Huda Faridi, Chairman, Department of Urdu, Aligarh Muslim University has congratulated  Syed Mohammad Ashraf, a noted fiction writer and a distinguished alumnus of the Aligarh Muslim University, on receiving the prestigious “Galib Award” by Aiwan-e-Ghalib, New Delhi, in recognition of his meritorious services to Urdu prose.

Expressing happiness on this occasion, Prof Faridi said that Mr Syed Mohammad Ashraf is considered as one of the most prominent fiction writers in cotemporary Urdu, and a source of pride for Urdu speakers for being the first to have qualified the civil services examination through Urdu medium.

Mr Ashraf also has a distinction of having a knack for Urdu literature despite being an income tax officer, who recently retired as Vice Chairman of the Income Tax Settlement Commission.

Syed Mohammad Ashraf created a niche for himself in Urdu fiction with his unique writing style and in recognition of it he has been honoured with several prestigious awards, including the “Sahitya Akademi Award”, “Iqbal Samman”, “Alami Farogh Urdu Award”, “West Bengal Qaumi Ekta Award”, “Urdu Academy Lifetime Achievement Award”, “Shamim Nikhat Award” and “Katha Award”.

Syed Muhammad Ashraf received his graduation and postgraduate degrees from AMU with gold medals, and served as the Secretary of “Anjuman Urdu-e-Muallah” and editor, “Aligarh Magazine”. He was also the Secretary of “University Literary Club”. Several students are pursuing M.Phil. and PhD programmes at different universities on the creative acumen and literary achievements of Mr Ashraf. His prominent fictional masterpieces include “Daar Se Bichhde”, “Numberdar Ka Neela”, “Baad-i-Saba ka Intizar”, “Akhiri Sawariyan” and “Qissa Nisf Sedi Ka”. The publication of his promising novel, “Mir Aman Qissa Suno” is awaited.

In addition to his fictional works, Mr Ashraf’s poetic collections, “Salu Alaihi Wa Alihi”, “Sultan Al Hind”, “Rukh-e-Mustafa Hai Wo Aina” and “Ashrah-i-Mubashshera”, in praise of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) have also received public accolade.