Sharjah book fair: K S Nissar Ahmed hails Shanthi Prakahsana

November 19, 2016

Sharjah: Around 2.31 million book lovers from within the United Arab Emirates and around the world visited the 35th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) that concluded on November 12.

The SIBF hosted 1,420 publishing houses from 60 countries. Among them, Mangaluru based Shanthi Prakashana was the only publishing house from Karnataka. By exhibiting a good collection of Kannada literature, SP captured the hearts of thousands of UAE Kannadigas.

By participating in Sharjah international book fair, Shanthi Prakashana drew the attention of millions of visitors from various countries who were unaware and were completely new to the Kannada language. Thus Kannada language and culture have gained recognition among Arab countries thanks to this exhibition.

The Shanthi Prakashana also organised a valedictory ceremony of its exhibition-cum-sale on the last day of the 11-day book far. K S Nissar Ahmed, a renowned Kannada poet and thinker from Karnataka was the guest of honour. He expressed deep sense of love towards the literature of Shanthi Prakashana. He reminisced to the gathering about the acquaintance he had with late Ibraheem Saeed, who had contributed greatly for the growth of Shanthi Prakashana.

Mr Ahmed urged Shanthi Prakashana to boost the publishing landscape of Kannada literature so as to promote literary interest among the non-resident Kannadigas. He also wished Shanthi Prakashana to reach new heights. "Let this stall turn into a large scale library deriving multiple benefits," he added.

Another guest, Dr Kaup Mohammed, Dean and Director of the London American City College, UAE, said that Shanthi Prakshana through its works endeavoured to uproot the misconceptions about Islam. It also should reach out to non Kannadigas by publishing Islamic literature in English, he suggested requesting to continue its participation in SIBF every year.

Sadan Das, president of Kannada Koota, Dubai, Abdul Lathief, vice president of Bearys Cultural Forum Dubai, and Irshad Moodabidre, an NRI Kannada writer, lauded the work of Shanthi Prakashana.

The programme began with the recitation of Quranic verses by V K Nooh Rashid Vitla. Abdul Khader Kukkaje welcomed the guests, Nisar Parangipete compered the programme and proposed vote of thanks. Mubarak PD Thrissur, head of Islamic cultural centre UAE, Malayalam unit felicitated Nadoja Padmashree Nissar Ahmed.

Some of the notable personalities who visited the Shanthi Prakashana exhibition are: Gopinatha Rao (story writer, Dubai), Prakash Payyar (President of Dhwani Prathishtana), Ramachandra Hegde (businessman, Dubai), Vinay Naik (Namma T V), Bekal Sugandh Raj (president of Karnataka Sanga, Sharjah), Dayana D' Souza (Konkani writers group, Dubai), Mohammed Ali Uchil (President of Beary welfare Forum , Abu Dhabi), Abdullah Madumule (chief secretary, BWF, Abudhabi), and the members of Saiban business community, Abu Dhabi.

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Good job

Masha Allah....People should take benefit of these exhibition.

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NRI leader SM Syed Khalilur Rehman, 86, passes away in Dubai

News Network

November 21,2024

Prominent NRI community leader SM Syed Khalilur Rehman, fondly known as CA Khalil, passed away in Dubai on Thursday at the age of 86 after a brief illness.

Khalil had been admitted to Aster Hospital in Mankhool on Tuesday after experiencing severe leg weakness. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, he succumbed to a double heart attack that worsened his condition, his son Rais Ahmed confirmed.

The news of his passing has sent waves of grief across communities, particularly in his hometown of Bhatkal, Karnataka, where he was a celebrated figure. Tributes have been pouring in on social media, highlighting his significant contributions to international trade, social service, and education.

A Legacy of Leadership and Service

A chartered accountant by profession, Khalil was a founding member of the Dubai chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), where he served as chairman from 1987 to 1994. His illustrious career included key leadership roles, such as general manager of Khaleej Times, group executive director of the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, and vice-chairman of the Jashanmal Group of Companies.

He also chaired Maadhyama Communications and Sahil Online, a web-based news platform, and was a director and trustee of several media companies and charitable organisations in Dubai and India.

A Champion for Education and Philanthropy

Khalil’s impact extended far beyond his professional achievements. As president and general secretary of Anjuman Hami-e-Muslimeen, he played a pivotal role in the development of educational institutions, including schools and colleges in Bhatkal and surrounding areas. His dedication to social upliftment earned him recognition from the Government of Karnataka, which honoured him with a prestigious award for his philanthropic contributions.

A Life Celebrated

The Bhatkal Muslim Khaleej Council (BMKC) recently released a documentary celebrating Khalil’s remarkable life and service to the community—a testament to his enduring legacy.

CA Khalil is survived by his family and countless admirers across the globe. His passing marks the end of an era for Indian expatriates in the UAE and beyond, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, generosity, and commitment to community service.

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15-year-old NRI boy from Kasaragod drowns in Dubai beach; sister rescued by Arab national

News Network

November 18,2024

Dubai: A 15-year-old Indian expat boy drowned after he was caught by huge waves in the sea off Mamzar Beach in Dubai.

Ahmed Abdulla Mafaz, a 15-year-old school student in Dubai, died while his sister Fathima, a university student, was rescued, according to their father Mohammed Ashraf. The family hails from Kerala’s Kasaragod.

The grieving father said the incident happened when the Indian expat family went for an outing at the beach park.

Recounting what happened, he said: “We were all sitting on the beach and playing around in the water. I had just gone to the washroom when it [the tragedy] happened.”

He said both Mafaz and Fathima knew how to swim and it was not clear how they were swept away.

“I think there were huge waves and they got pulled by the strong current.”

Fathima’s screams for help were heard by another beachgoer who rushed to rescue her. “He is an Arab national. He rescued our daughter. We have no words to thank him,” the father said.

However, there was no sign of Mafaz, a grade 10 student of New Indian Model School in Dubai.

Meanwhile, the police were called in. Dubai Police said they received a call about two persons drowning.

“As soon as we received the report, the rescue team from the Ports Police Station in Dubai conducted a search,” a spokesperson said.

However, there was no luck on Friday night. The search operation was intensified with divers and drones on Saturday, following which the boy’s body was fished out on Saturday evening.

The family has decided to lay him to rest in Dubai once the legal procedures are over, said Ibrahim Berike, a member of the volunteering team from Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) that is providing supportfor the paper work.

He said the family is shattered after the devastating tragedy. “They have four children. Fathima, who is doing MBA, is the eldest daughter. Mafaz was the third child. His other two siblings are also boys. Their mother, who was also there on the beach, is inconsolable,” he added.

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