IFF Haj volunteers a role model for other countries: Indian CG

[email protected] (Shameer Ahmed Kudroli)
November 29, 2013

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Jeddah, Nov 29: The services rendered by Haj volunteers from the Indian Fraternity Forum (IFF) has inspired several other countries to arrange their own volunteers to help their pilgrims in the holy sites of Makkah during Haj, said Indian Consul General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai.

The consul general was speaking at a get-together of Haj service volunteers organized by IFF at the Consulate of India premises.

He said that many countries had sought copies of the map of Mina, which was prepared by IFF.

“The selfless and timely services of IFF volunteers during the Haj is praiseworthy. Their service was much valued and have benefited thousands of Guests of Allah not only from India or Asia, but from many other countries. I could always spot IFF volunteers who stood out with their orange jacket in every nook and corner of Mina,” he observed.

IFF President Ashraf Morayur said the task of helping sick pilgrims and elderly women was carried out smoothly by IFF through a team comprising the volunteers from the IFF’s women’s wing — Women’s Fraternity Forum — as many pilgrims from India were above 70 years of age.

“This year, there were 32 women volunteers and 24 students in their team from the total of 1,200. The trip on Haj train service was made more comfortable, thanks to the round-the-clock service of IFF volunteers who helped the pilgrims to utilize the facility,” he said.

“The immense service of the Indian volunteers indeed came as a blessing to thousands of pilgrims. The forum volunteers were very active in round-the-clock services in Makkah, particularly in the Haram premises,” said Mohammed Noor Rahman Sheikh, the Haj consul. He congratulated the forum leadership for being “very active in rendering service in Mina along with their volunteers.”

Mukhtar Al-Kindi, in-charge of the Youth Team of World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY); Muneera Khalid Balahmar, director, Health Education Administration, Ministry of Health; and others also praised the role played by IFF volunteers during the Haj.

Ashraf Morayur, presiding over the function, expressed gratitude to the consul general for his tremendous support and remarkable service to the expatriate Indian community. On behalf of the IFF, Ashraf presented a memento to the consul general.

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News Network
November 18,2024

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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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News Network
November 21,2024

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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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