Indian Social Forum observes 89th Saudi National Day

Jeddah: Indian Pilgrims Welfare Forum (IPWF) under the patronage of consulate General of India Jeddah related to welfare activities connected to Indian hajj pilgrims in particular and welfare functions of Indian community at large, organized Quran recitation competition for Indian students of age 10 to 14 residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Grand Finale was conducted Live online via Zoom virtual conference on Friday 15th May 2020 at 14:45 Hrs.

The Consul General Of India, Jeddah and Vice Patron IPWF, H.E.Mr. Md. Noor Rahman Shiekh graced the Grand Finale as honorable Chief Guest. The HOC, Consul Hajj and Director IPWF - Mr. Y Sabir attended as Guest of Honor, while the ever-exuberant President of the forum Mr. Ayyub Hakeem lead the event. A large number of Indian dignitaries and media personnel also joined this live event.

Judges panel included three experienced youths. First judge was the Prominent Hafiz and one of the best Qaris of his calibre, Hafiz Ismail Yahya Bilal, well educated in Qirat from Umm Al Qura University Makkah and currently persuing Masters. He also holds many honors and accolades from various international competitions and appreciations from Imaams of Haramain. The other judge, Hafiz Abdullah A.Mateen Usmani, first position winner, a record for being youngest Indian to win Jeddah Quran competition 2018 under patronage of Jeddah Governor.  Hafiz Farhan Abdur Rab, was the third judge, an Engineer by profession, as well as current Treasurer at IPWF.

Winners; Humeirah Masood Kazi and Furqan Mohammed Vasi Ahmed won Gold position. Maryam Jaffar and Adil Abdul Rasheed ranked Silver while Khatija Ehtesham Ali and Nadeem Noorisha ranked Bronze. Consolation prizes were given to Aamina Mustafa and Mohammed Ahsan Ali. The event was organized to encourage and boost the ambitions of young generation and inspring them to bring out their best in Quran Recitation

While speaking at the event Chief Guest H.E.Mr. Md.Noor Rahman Sheikh appreciated the social works of IPWF for Indian Community, praised the brilliant performance of students, He said it gives us great pleasure seeing that all participants, Judges and Jury members are Indians, he said the recitation of the children was fantabulous, and congratulated to the winners and participants. Chief Guest further said President Ayyub Hakeem and his IPWF Team deserves to be appreciated for their relentless efforts for this Noble cause, even in this period when the world is observing lockdown.

HOC, Consul Hajj Mr. Y Sabir appreciated IPWF team for organizing this virtual competition, he said it’s really amazing that 111 students registered to participate for the contest, he appreciated the hard work of children and efforts of parents for preparing their children.

Mr. Hakeem welcomed all and informed that this competition received overwhelming response from Indian community locally and internationally in short time since its launch was just couple of days earlier. Which compliments events Objective to encourage children “mainly Indians residing in Saudi Arabia” especially during the month of Quran “Ramadan” and lockdown period #COVID-19. 

40 contestants made it to the Semifinals, and 15 Students reached the Grand Finale, 2 young children were given consolation for their enthusiastic recitation. 

The President also appreciated his IPWF Team for unwavering support in preparation of this event.  He thanked the Chief Guest, HE Mr. Md. Noor Rahman Sheikh and Guest of Honor Mr. Y Sabir for gracing this glorious competition. He Thanked the audience and announced that all contestants will be awarded appreciation “digital certificate’

Syed Nasir Khursheed anchored the program, and entertained with beautiful Urdu couplets. Farhan Abdur Rab and Abdul Rahman Poyakkara conducted the contest flawlessly on time. Farhan, concluded the event with Vote of Thanks and soleful dua.

Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) Chaiman Dr Sam Pitroda held video conference with senior IOC office bearers across Middle Eastern countries on 14th April 2020 to review the impact of COVID-19 pandemic among Indians residing in the region. Almost all speakers appreciated the efforts initiated and  implemented by  respective governments to contain spread of the deadly virus as well as measures taken towards welfare of the people affected by the lockdown. 

IOC Presidents, Mohammed Mansour - Bahrain, Abdullah Manjeri - Saudi Arabia, Dr J Ratan kunar - Oman and Girish kumar - Qatar, highlighted the quality treatment of patients and finacial aid provided by governments and other authorities. Bahrain IOC president Mansour , also  apprised about the 'Food for Needy' drive in Association with KHK Heroes foundation, initiated by HH Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa and quality treatments as well as financial aid to local and expat residents.

Anura Mathai, IOC  Global Event Coordinator, spoke about certain problems of Indians in the UAE. IOC Middle East Convener, Mansoor Palloor, emphasised and requested IOC Chairman to urge Indian government to arrange immediate repatriation of indians stranded in Gulf countries. AICC Secretary, Himanshu Vyas, IOC Secretary Dr Arathi Krishna, Dr Arshi Malik (Abha), Mohiuddin Sirajudeen (Jeddah), Advocate Joseph Palathara (Dammam) Prasad Kodru, Jayati Maitra Ziyad Ahmed (Qatar) and Khursheed Alam (Gen Secretary- Bahrain) also apprised the participants about various issues relevant to the pandemic and suggested further initiatives to be undertaken. 

Dr Sam Pitroda briefed about sustained and consolidated efforts by all IOC members  during this unprecedented situation facing the world and assured that he would convey IOC  concerns to the government and try his best to ensure all possible help is made available to all needy Indians.

Riyadh: Cricket Lovers are all geared up for the newly launched franchise based tournament - Kingdom Premier League (KPL) 2020 under the banner of Mangaluru Cricket Association (MCA) Riyadh.

SAQCO –SAAD AL QAHTANI CONTRACTING is the Mega Sponsor for the event and PARAMOUNT is the CO Sponsor.

The 6-team tournament is being played at MCA Grounds on Exit 18 in Riyadh beginning from 14 Feb and shall end on 20 March.

The Opening ceremony took place on AL-Mas Restaurant in Riyadh. The trophy launching as well as Jersey launching took place at the same event. Guests from various companies including SAQCO were present.

All teams will play at least one league Match against every other team. Top 4 teams in the table will qualify to play for the Qualifier 1 and Eliminator. The Winner of Qualifier 1 will be heading towards the final and the 2nd finalist will be the winner Qualifier 2 (Played between loser of Qualifier 1 and Winner of Eliminator). The Finals will be played on 20th March.

Below 6 Team names with their franchise owners and respective icon players.

BANCAA WARRIORS – RANJITH (TEAM WARRIORS RIYADH) – RAJESH AND SHAFI

YAQOOB FIGHTERS – SHAHID & YAQOOB (YAQOOB CC) – SAMEER KARNAD AND MOHSIN

GROUND STAR PHOENIX – RIZWAN & SIDDIK – AYAZ & SALEEM SHIRUR

PARAMOUNT HEROES – NASIR GM – SARFARAZ AK & MUSTAFA HASAN

AL-AMAL AFRAH PANTHERS – SHAHIM & AHNAF – DAWOOD KODI & ANIS

NAJD CHALLENGERS – AFROZ NAKWA – SHADAB KARNAD & SULTHAN

Each Team gets to pick 2 icon players of their choice on a mutual understanding whereas the remaining 13 players for each squad to be picked randomly based on their rankings and ratings in bidding style from 3 categories – A, B & C. The Franchise Ownership amount stands at Sr 2,000 for Each Team. The Winner of the Tournament gets a Cash Reward of Sr 5,000. The Runner Up Gets a Cash Reward of 3,000. Many Attractive Individual prizes will be handed over at the end of the event such as below

Winners squad 16 players - Gifts

Highest Run Getter – Orange Cap – Special Gift

Highest Wicket Taker – Purple Cap – Special Gift

Player of the Series – Special Gift

Hat-trick Wicket taker – Special Gift

KPL Kamal Catch – Special Gift

Best Wicket Keeper – Special Gift

Best over in KPL – Special Gift

Fastest 50 in KPL – Special Gift

Fair Play Award – Special Gift

Performer of the Week (Every Week) – Special Gift

Century – Special Gift

Maiden Over – Special Gift