KARACHI: Speakers at a condolence reference for the late senior journalist, Sulaiman Ahmed Meenai, eulogised his services to the profession and paid tribute to his journalistic skills and literary flavour in his writings and editorials. They recalled the dignity and grace in his interaction with colleagues and friends. He passed away recently after a prolonged illness.

Meenai Sahib had a deep interest in literature and his literary anecdotes and jokes made him a centre of attraction for friends, they said at a meeting organised by the KUJ Dawn Unit.

Senior journalists remembered Meenai Sahib as a friend and colleague, and a fine human being, and gave an overview of journalistic responsibilities he shouldered, especially during his days in Dawn when he worked in the newsroom, as editorial anchor and as a sports editorial writer.

His nephew Rishad Mahmood recalled him as a source of inspiration which helped him join journalism.

Meenai Sahib joined the profession in 1952, starting his career from Dawn. He worked in the newsroom till 1962 when he joined Daily News.

He came back to Dawn in the mid-sixties as an assistant editor and leader writer. For some time, he also edited the Star, an evening newspaper of the Dawn group.

Senior sports journalist Qamar Ahmed said that sports was Meenai Sahib’s passion, and he often used to exchange comments with him about sports activities, especially hockey and cricket.

His son Asif Meenai, who is Senior Executive Vice President of National Bank, recalled the early days of his life when he used to visit Dawn as a child with his father, and said that those memories were still fresh in his mind.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2015

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