Flight chartered by AIMDF repatriates 184 from UAE to Mangaluru

Riyadh: Abdulaziz Kushalnagar, a long-time Indian expatriate from Kushalnagar, Karnataka, and a well-respected member of the Riyadh community, passed away on 10 April 2025 at a local hospital in Al Rabwah. He was 57.

According to sources close to the family and his close friend, Irfan Mani, Abdulaziz was admitted to the hospital on the 14th of Ramadan after suddenly collapsing due to a cardiac arrest. Earlier that evening, he had attended an Iftar gathering hosted by a friend in the Al-Shifa area of Riyadh. After breaking his fast and offering Maghrib prayers, he spent time conversing with friends before heading to a nearby mosque for Isha prayers.

Shortly after leaving the mosque, he reportedly began feeling unwell and collapsed from a heart attack. He was immediately rushed to the hospital and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where he slipped into a coma.

Despite ongoing medical efforts, Abdulaziz did not regain consciousness and was pronounced dead on the afternoon of 10 April after showing no response to treatment.

Following the completion of all necessary legal formalities—including clearances from the Indian Embassy and Saudi authorities—his funeral was held on Saturday night after Isha and Janazah prayers at Al-Rajhi Mosque. He was laid to rest at Naseem Cemetery, where a large gathering of relatives, friends, and well-wishers came to offer their final respects.

Abdulaziz had been residing in Saudi Arabia for over 35 years and was employed with a private company in Riyadh. Known for his warm personality, humility, and dedication to community service, he actively participated in various social and cultural organizations, including the Malanadu Gulf Trust (MGT).

He is survived by his wife, four children, and a wide circle of family, friends, and community members who deeply mourn his loss. Messages of condolence have poured in from across Karnataka and the Gulf, remembering him as a kind-hearted and community-spirited individual.

Organizations such as MGT Malanadu KSA, KNRI, Karavali Welfare Association, KSF Riyadh, KCF Riyadh, and several others expressed their deep condolences and offered prayers for the departed soul. 

Mangaluru, Apr 10: In a profound act of generosity and faith, senior businessman and Congress leader Inayath Ali has donated 1.5 acres of prime land in the heart of Mangaluru for the construction of a Haj Bhavan. The land—strategically located just 1.5 kilometres from the Mangaluru International Airport and adjacent to a major road—is estimated to be worth over ₹8 crore.

The donation, made earlier this week, has captured public attention not just for its magnitude, but for the spirit behind it. At a time when the nation is engaged in an intense debate over the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, this selfless contribution opens a new chapter in understanding the true essence of waqf.

According to sources, the upcoming Haj Bhavan will house a mosque, and offer training and orientation services for pilgrims travelling to Mecca—providing both spiritual and logistical support to hundreds of Hajj aspirants from the region.

What sets this gesture apart is the absolute surrender of rights by Inayath Ali. Despite not being a high-profile industrialist or real estate mogul, he has forfeited all claims over the land. Under Islamic waqf principles, once a property is donated, neither the donor nor their descendants can reclaim or profit from it—making it a permanent endowment for the community.

This timely development is sparking fresh conversations about the spiritual and charitable foundations of waqf, especially amid allegations and controversies surrounding waqf properties in various parts of the country. Critics often claim that waqf lands have expanded disproportionately or were historically acquired from other communities. Inayath Ali’s donation stands as a counter-narrative—one that reflects the voluntary, sacred, and socially uplifting nature of such endowments.

For generations, Muslims—from wealthy businesspersons to humble individuals—have donated land and property to build mosques, madrasas, orphanages, and cemeteries. Elders from the coastal Muslim community affirm that such acts are not merely cultural traditions but are deeply rooted in the belief that sadaqah jariyah (a continuing charity) benefits the soul in both this world and the hereafter.

Inayath Ali’s contribution, thus, is not just a donation of land—it is a message of unity, service, and spiritual vision for generations to come.

Mangaluru: A seemingly harmless YouTube advertisement has cost a Mangaluru man his life savings, after he fell victim to an elaborate investment scam and lost a staggering ₹55 lakh.

According to the police complaint, the victim was lured in by a man named Shardul Jani, who claimed that a trading app called Abans Pro would deliver high returns. On February 11, the man made an initial investment of ₹15,000. A trading account was created for him, which soon began displaying encouraging profits.

Buoyed by these promising numbers and under constant persuasion from the accused, the man was convinced to invest more. Reassured that the money could be withdrawn at any time, he not only continued investing himself but also involved his relatives, who collectively transferred ₹39 lakh into his account for further investments.

Between February 11 and March 27, the victim transferred a total of ₹55 lakh to multiple bank accounts provided by the accused. But when he finally attempted to withdraw the funds, nothing came back. The profits were a mirage—his money had vanished.

Realising he had been conned, the man approached the Bajpe police, who have registered a case and begun an investigation into the fraudulent scheme.