Saudi Arabia: Farooq Portfolio elected Markazul Huda convener

Kuwait: Friday Forum Kuwait conducted its 12th inter-school Islamic Elocution Competition at Hotel Rajadhani Palace, Khaitan on 1st January 2020. 

The competition, which was held in the senior and junior categories had participation from 15 Indian Schools across Kuwait comprising of 43 students. In the senior category, Ayisha Wafiya of Indian Community School, Khaitan bagged the first prize and Efrem Joseph of Indian Community School, Amman won the second prize. 

In the junior category, Hima Jameela of Indian Community School, Khaitan bagged the first prize and Fadhel Kandapath of Fahaheel Al Wataniya Indian School won the second prize. Nawaal Yaseen Ebrahim of Indian Community School (SR), Salmiya and Rhruthunanda of Indian Learners Own Academy, Abbasiya won the consolation prizes in senior and junior categories respectively.

This year, the event was fully conducted by the ladies wing of Friday Forum. Dr. Thasneem Amir, Ibtisam Basheer, Toast Masters Ola Rasheed, Fatma Abduhedeid, Shazia Thabassum and Marium Rangat were the judges for the competition in senior and junior categories. The event started with the Qira’at by Saneera Riyas, followed by welcome speech by Dr. Sajna Mohammed. 

The prizes were distributed to winners by Shahina Mansoor, Femitha Faseeh, Dr.Thasneem Amir, Dr. Sajna Mohammed, Zeenath Yacoub, Safna Sayam and Saneera Riyas. The Souvenir for the program - “INSPERIA 2020”- was released during the event by the chief editor Farha Abdul Rahman. The program was compered by Thanveera Noushad and the program convenor Subeana Shabeer conveyed the vote of thanks.

Dammam: President of Indian Social Forum, Eastern Province Mr.Wasim Rabbani urged immediate intervention of Indian government to help Non Residential Indians who are in trouble due to corona pandemic in Saudi Arabia.

He said in a press rease that expatriate Indians are in concern  as number of corona infected people and  deaths are increasing in danger level.

Hea said, "the Saudi health minister's statement a few days ago indicates that the situation in Saudi needs to be taken more seriously with precautionary methods. There are concerns among expatriates because the number of people infected with the coronavirus and the number of deaths reported in various provinces are increasing at an alarming rate."

"Saudi Government and Health Ministry are taking excellent precautionary measures, however, in the coming days expect to see the number of cases to increase in Saudi Arabia. The Indian government needs to take diplomatic and immediate intervention to ensure the treatment of Indian expatriates considering the number of effected people increasing", He said.

He also urged that the Embassy and the Government of India should ensure qaurantiane faculty for Indian expatriates and arrange special low cost flights to bring back expatriates who would like to return home country.

" Government of India and Indian embassy need to intervene immediately to ensure that the quarantine system is in place for Indian expatriates as the facilities in the rooms where the residents are staying together are very limited. There should also be a mechanism to organize low-cost flight services for expatriates who are ready to go home. The government system should also be able to accommodate the expatriates in special quarantine areas in hometown as soon they arrive in India", he urged.

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.