If one thinks of someone with several qualities rolled into one, one of them has to be Adeel Akbar, a literature buff, event manager, producer, a known face, and a dedicated social worker.
Born in Sialkot and raised in Lahore, Akbar’s father moved the family there in 1959, settling in an area renowned for hosting maestros from various fields. His educational journey began at Muslim Model High School Urdu Bazar Lahore, a prestigious institution that provided him the first opportunity to learn. The school was then ranked second only to Central Model School in Lahore.
Akbar arrived in Doha in 1979 in search of better future prospects. He was 19-year-old. He had multiple talents that he demonstrated through his work over decades. He attributes his passion for social and charity work to his father Agha Muhammad Akbar who left no stone unturned to ensure that his children were exposed to fine arts, sports and literature. This was also for the reason why he was passionate about such activities and would always take his children with him whether it was 1960’s Light and Sound Show at Lahore Fort, or an international cricket match at Qaddafi Stadium, or Russian Circus in Manto Park.
Since 1989, Akbar has been a member of the Management Committee of Pak Shamaa School and College, one of the oldest expatriate schools in Doha, established in 1958.
Akbar has produced and directed many shows, including a musical programme held in Lahore named ‘Sham-e-Lahore’ featuring Triple S Sisters, Munir Hussain, Khalil Haider and comedian Nisar Butt. A very popular playback vocalist, Saira Naseem, was introduced as a child star in the show. The video of this programme was simultaneously released from Qatar and the UK.
As a team member, on the occasion of ‘Pakistan Day Festivals’ in 2008 and 2009, he was a producer and director of the non-stop five hours live stage performances which attracted 10,000 and 15,000 attendees, respectively. Akbar received huge appreciation and acknowledgment from the community for these events. Excerpts of an interview with him:
Was coming to Qatar your own choice? What brought you here?
After completing my studies, my intuition said to me that I should immigrate to attain success. My options were open—Europe, Far East, or any country in the Arabian Gulf. Fate led me to Qatar. Within two weeks of my arrival in Doha, I secured a job at Hamad General Hospital which was being built, then moved on to different roles at the Ministry of Public Works and the Engineering and Maintenance Division of the Ministry of Interior.
You have been in Qatar for almost half a century and have been associated with various social and cultural activities. How did it all start?
Both my parents were actively engaged in social and cultural activities, instilling in me the value of contributing through such endeavours. I inherited the love for literature and poetry from my father. It has always been there with me from childhood and my early teenage years when I regularly used to attend literary programmes in Pakistan National Centre, Lahore.
Late Amjad Islam Amjad, a renowned Urdu poet, screenwriter, playwright and lyricist was your first cousin. Could you elaborate on that relationship?
Amjad bhai played a significant role in my literary learning. Our shop was located within Amjad bhai’s house. His literary friends, poets and writers would regularly gather at our shop, have discussions on literature, and this gave me exposure to literary world. I got a chance to meet top litterateurs and scholars of their time.
You were part of radio programmes as a child. How did that come about?
My father’s passion and love for literature led us to radio and TV programmes where Urdu literary icons were frequent guests. I have had an opportunity to see and listen to literary giants like Josh Malihabadi, Hafeez Jalandhari, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and many others. My father arranged my entry into a kid’s programme in Radio Pakistan Lahore in 1966. I regularly participated for three years and learnt a lot. I’m also fortunate to witness recording of a classical comedy PTV series ‘Alif Noon’ in 1967.
How did you start your social activities in Qatar?
It was in 1986, when a group of friends met over tea one day and were discussing a news article where some philanthropist had donated sewing machines to women. We said let’s put the news article aside and do something to help people in need. We planned our first event under the banner of ‘Saday-e-Dost’ and raised funds for Sunrise Institute for the Blinds in Lahore, Pakistan.
How was the Pak Arts Society-Qatar established?
It all started randomly at a group of friends’ casual meeting one day. What began as just another initiative three decades ago has grown into a full-fledged community organisation. PAS-Q has served the local Pakistani expatriate community with its cultural and educational activities. Starting with philanthropic work, PAS-Q gradually but steadily evolved into an organisation that has brought to Qatar around 52 prominent personalities from Pakistan and elsewhere.
Tell us about PAS-Q structure and activities
PAS-Q is chaired by M A Shahid. Muhammad Abrar Hussain and Taher D Hussain are the president and vice president, respectively, while I am general secretary. The organisation that started as Saday-e-Dost changed names on different stages and finally became PAS-Q. The forum has organised more than 350 events in Qatar, so far. Our early few programmes were very different from each other. The first was charity and the second was about helping the community in different aspects. All of our work was completely not-for-profit. PAS-Q organised a programme for the community where we introduced audio cassettes from Pakistan, programmed to teach Holy Qur’an to children. It has always been a team work. All our members are die-hard social workers and selfless human beings. They have always been ready to help and support others and that is why PAS-Q has been so successful. We organised an event, in collaboration with Pakistan Embassy, aimed at promoting Pakistani tourism through a cultural programme named ‘Explore Pakistan’ at Sheraton Doha Hotel. The event was visited by over 7,000 people and it showcased Pakistani arts and crafts with live demonstrations by goldsmiths and other craftsmen. It was a kind of record to attract this many people to a community event back then. More than 17 ambassadors from different countries attended the opening ceremony.
PAS-Q also organised Islamic calligraphic exhibition, photography contests, funfairs and book launching events, and motivational lectures for teachers and students.
Would you like to give any message to our readers?
I have spent more time of my life in Qatar than I have in Pakistan and consider Qatar as my second home. I have never felt like a stranger in this country and all I have gained in my life is from this beautiful country. My biggest achievement in life has been to learn to become a better human being. I am always ready and willing to help others in need. My message to everyone is to be kind and helpful to others.
