Jeddah, Dec 30 (IANS): Sharif Aslam, a veteran Urdu journalist, humorist, anchor and prominent member of Indian community, has died in Jeddah. He was in his 80s, a media report said Tuesday.
The octogenarian, who breathed his last Monday helped organise many Urdu poetry events during his three decades in Jeddah. Two of his children, Aman and Imran, are accomplished doctors, Arab News reported Tuesday.
He was the president of a number of forums and a member of several associations.
Aslam hailed from Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh and had many fans among expatriates from all over India and Pakistan.
He had a 50-year stint in Urdu journalism during which he interviewed top-ranking literatures, poets, politicians and film stars.
"My father's funeral prayers will be held Tuesday at Jawhara Mosque in Jeddah's Aziziya district after Asr," Arab News quoted his son Aman Aslam as saying.