Director "Gul Bootay" Farooq Syed laid to rest in the presence of hundreds of mourners,

Renowned journalist, editor and publisher of the popular Urdu children's magazine "Gul Bootay", and active secretary of the Urdu Journalists Association, Farooq Syed, was laid to rest on Wednesday at the Nariyalwadi cemetery in South Mumbai, in the presence of hundreds of mourners after the Zuhr prayer. The atmosphere at the funeral seemed as if the entire Urdu community of Mumbai had gathered to bid farewell to their beloved friend. There was an air of grief and sorrow all around, with many people unable to contain their emotions and breaking down.

Farooq Syed, 58, passed away on Tuesday evening after a prolonged illness. He had been undergoing treatment at a hospital in Santacruz for several weeks. The news of his demise sent shockwaves through Urdu journalistic, literary, and social circles. A large number of relatives, friends, and well-wishers from Mumbai, other parts of the state, and his hometown of Sholapur arrived to pay their respects.

At the funeral, mourners gathered to offer condolences to his son, Asim, brother-in-law, Saleem Sheikh, and close friend, Qasim Imam. Everyone remembered Farooq Syed's services, his good nature, and his selfless dedication to the Urdu language. Qasim Imam, a close associate of Farooq Syed, said in a sorrowful tone that the deceased had been ill for the past two months. He had gone to Mecca for Umrah during Ramadan, where he suffered a brain hemorrhage and was hospitalized. After receiving treatment, he returned to Mumbai, but later complained of severe chest pain, which led to a heart operation. Despite the doctors' best efforts, he could not recover fully and eventually passed away.

The Maharashtra Rajya Urdu Sahitya Akademi's acting president, Syed Hussain Akhtar, said in his condolence message that Farooq Syed's demise was an irreparable loss for Urdu journalism, children's literature, and the promotion of the Urdu language. He described Farooq Syed as a distinguished journalist, excellent organizer, talented writer, and selfless benefactor of children. His entire life was dedicated to the mental, moral, and literary development of the new generation.

Noted poet and thinker, Obaid Azam Azami, said in his condolence message that the passing of Farooq Syed, editor of the popular children's magazine "Gul Bootay", had deprived Urdu literature, especially children's literature, of a significant pillar. He said that Farooq Syed had dedicated his life to the promotion of the Urdu language and children's literature.

Memon Federation president, Iqbal Memon, said that Farooq Syed had rendered valuable services for the promotion of Urdu and children's literature. He continuously worked to connect the new generation with language and literature through literary activities.

The president of the Urdu Journalists Association, Farooq Ansari, secretary Sarfaraz Arzu, and vice president Javed Jamaluddin also expressed deep sorrow and said that Farooq Syed's demise was a significant loss for Urdu journalism. They announced that a condolence meeting would be held on Saturday, May 23, at the Alfyz Building in Madanpura to pay tribute to the deceased.

Congress spokesperson, Nizamuddin Raen, said that Farooq Syed's death was a significant loss for the Urdu world, and his services for the promotion of the Urdu language and culture would always be remembered. He added that in future Urdu programs, Farooq Syed would be specially remembered and paid tribute to.

Mumbai Urdu News editors, Shakeel Rashid and Farhan Hanif, said that Farooq Syed was not only a respected figure in the literary field but also known for his humanism, brotherhood, and love. They said that the presence of thousands of people at the funeral was a clear indication of his popularity among the masses.

Social High School principal, Asif Iqbal, said in a tearful tone that he had lost a loyal friend. He said that Farooq Syed was an asset to the Urdu community in Sholapur and Mumbai, and he would never be forgotten.

Noted social and educational personality, Mustafa Punjabi, said that he had worked with Farooq Syed on various occasions and always found him to be a steadfast, loyal, and capable person.

Renowned poet and quiz expert, Hamid Iqbal Siddiqui, said that Farooq Syed's services to Urdu literature, especially children's literature, were unforgettable, and his demise had left a huge void.

Assistant Professor of Urdu at the University of Mumbai and editor of "Urdu Channel", Qamar Siddiqui, said that Farooq Syed's decades-long struggle for the promotion of the Urdu language and children's literature would always be remembered.

A Quran Khwani will be held on Thursday after the Isha prayer at Farooq Syed's residence, Rangwala Compound, Satra Masjid, to pray for his soul. A large number of people, including family members, friends, journalists, writers, and well-wishers, are expected to attend.

Today, a large number of prominent personalities from the fields of journalism, literature, social work, education, and politics attended the funeral, including former MLA Sohail Lakhani, Islam Gymkhana president Advocate Yousuf Abrahamani, Dr. Alauddin, Inquilab editor Shahid Latif, Mumbai Urdu News editor Shakeel Rashid, senior journalist Javed Jamaluddin, Nadeem Siddiqui, Pune's Syed Saeed Ahmed, Saifi of Saifi Books, Sholapur's Asif Iqbal, Sultan Maldar, Zahir Ansari, and others.