Category Archives: NRI’s / PIO’s

Hamna Mariyam assumes charge as Indian consul of community welfare

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kozhikode, KERALA / Hyderabad, TELANGANA / Jeddah, SAUDI ARABIA :

Hamna Mariyam
Hamna Mariyam

Jeddah :

Hamna Mariyam, a young woman diplomat of 2017 Indian Foreign Service (IFS) batch, joined the Indian Consulate General, Jeddah on Dec. 10 as the new consul of community welfare.

Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Hamna expressed her happiness to get an opportunity to serve the one-million strong Indian community in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia. “I see the community welfare as a major area where I can do a lot in serving the vibrant community in this part of the world,” she said.

Hamna assumed the new position after her stint at the Indian Embassy in Paris where she had completed her French language training before leaving Europe in October this year. Earlier, Indian Consul General Mohammed Noor Rahman Sheikh told Saudi Gazette that that he was very happy to have the first woman IFS officer joining the consulate team at a time when the centuries-old historic economic and socio-cultural ties between India and Saudi Arabia have touched new heights of strategic partnership. Saudi Arabia is India’s 4th largest trade partner with a major source of energy and is the 15th largest market in the world for Indian exports.

“Hamna is a very good combination of Malayali who married to someone from Hyderabad, as the Keralite and Telangana communities are the major communities in this part of the world. Hamna’s appointment would help in the consulate’s outreach programs and interaction with these communities at a time when the consulate is very actively reaching out to all segments of the Indian community,” Sheikh added.

Hamna is married to Abdul Muzammil Khan, an IAS officer of Telangana cadre of the same batch and son of retired IPS officer A.K. Khan, who is presently an advisor to the Telangana government. Muzammil Khan, who is working as assistant collector in Vikarabad, left Jeddah on Saturday after performing Umrah along with Hamna.

Though daughter of a well-known doctor couple from Calicut in Malabar region of Kerala, Hamna chose a career other than medicine, and studied English language and literature from Ramjas College and obtained her master’s degree in the same discipline from Delhi University. While serving as asst. professor at Farook College, Calicut, she bagged the 28th rank in the Civil Services examination.

Renowned pediatrician Dr. T.P. Ashraf, former superintend of Calicut Medical College and former executive director of Kerala government’s Social Security Mission, is Hamna’s father while Dr. P.V. Jowhara, a physiologist at Calicut Medical College, is her mother.

source: http://www.saudigazette.com / Saudi Gazette / Home> Saudi Arabia / by Hassan Cheruppa, Saudi Gazette / December 15th, 2019

Kerala NRI in London converts Old Scotland Yard police HQ into 5-star hotel

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, Travel & Tourism, World Opinion, , , , , , , ,

KERALA / U.A.E. :

At the helm of this 300 million pounds (over Rs 28,06,09,18,200 roughly) investment is the Kerala born NRI businessman MA Yusuff Ali.

Kerala NRI in London converts Old Scotland Yard police HQ into 5-star hotel

A night stay at the hotel will cost you over Rs 40,000 and lunch over Rs 10,000 | Photo from Twenty14 Holdings website

Once upon a time in London, United Kingdom the address people would have wanted to avoid might be now the place they might aspire to be in – The Great Scotland Yard Hotel.

Better known as the Old Scotland Yard that served as police headquarters, now is a plush 5-start hotel.

At the helm of this 300 million pounds (over Rs 28,06,09,18,200 roughly) investment is the Kerela born NRI businessman, MA Yusuff Ali of Lulu Group’s hospitality arm, Twenty14 Holdings.

Calling it a “dream come true” to transform world’s most historic addresses, Adeeb Ahamed, the managing director of Twenty14 Holdings said, “This building holds more tales than ever told and our approach has been multi-layered, with emphasis on stories that are unheard, the hotel is a tribute to the intrinsic spirit of London.”

Opened to public from the December 5, it was inaugurated by Nicky Morgan, UK secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport.

Speaking about the “exceptional transformation” that the building has undergone Sir Edward Lister, special advisor to the Prime Minister, said, “It is a place which is right at the heart of the city and the government and the West End of London. It’s just a perfect location for a tourist.”

Event was also attended by the High Commission of India, her excellency Ruchi Ghanshyam amongst other Lords and dignitaries.

It might cost upward of 430 pounds (Rs 40,000 roughly) to stay for a night and 100 pounds (Rs 10,000 roughly) to lunch at the The Great Scotland Yard Hotel that has Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and the West End just round the corner.

Current building at 3-5 Great Scotland Yard has grand five storey Imperial Red brick and stone facade with arched main entrance | Photo from Twenty14 Holdings website

From staff wearing brass hand cuff in their belts to retaining some of the writings on the walls, this dog-friendly hotel endeavours to give its guests an eclectic experience of past and the present.

Shafeena Yousuff Ali, the daughter of Yusuf Ali, the woman behind the art and decor of the hotel said that they have tried to give their guests “a transformational experience that will inspire their souls”.

The operations of the hotel have been handed over to The Unbound Collection by Hyatt.

source: http://www.indiatoday.in / India Today / Home> News> World / by Loveena Tandon / December 06th, 2019

First Muslim woman in Virginia Senate from teaching family

Community Involvement / Social Issues, NRI's / PIO's, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA / Virginia, U.S.A :

GhazalaHashmiMPOs07dec2019 
Hyderabad:

Ghazala Hashmi, who made history by becoming first Muslim woman to be elected to Virginia State Senate, hails from a family of educationists in Hyderabad.

Migrating to the United States with her family when she was just four, the Indian-American scored a stunning victory over sitting Republican Senator Glen Sturtevant.

The 55-year-old, a Democrat, was elected from Virginia’s 10th Senate District to become the first Muslim-American woman to serve in the State Senate.

A former literature professor and former director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning at Reynolds Community College, Richmond, she served as an educator for more than two decades.

Hashmi dedicated her win to her supporters with a tweet saying it belonged to all those who believed in the need for “progressive change in Virginia”.

“This victory, is not mine alone. It belongs to all of you who believed that we needed to make progressive change here in Virginia, for all of you who felt that you haven’t had a voice and believed in me to be yours in the General Assembly,” she tweeted.

In another tweet, she also admired the state’s willingness to make the change. “Today we sent a message that the status quo is no longer accepted,” wrote Hashmi, whose campaign focused on education, healthcare, gun violence prevention and environmental protection.

Hashmi was born in 1964 in a highly-educated family. Her parents Zia Hashmi and Tanveer Hashmi obtained higher education degrees from reputed institutions.

Zia Hashmi did MA and LLB from Aligarh Muslim University, where he was also the president of Student Union in early 1950s. Tanveer Hashmi is an alumnus of Osmania University’s Kothi Women’s College. She did BA and B.Ed.

Zia Hashmi later did PhD in International Relations from University of South Carolina. He retired as the Director of Centre for International Studies at the same university.

According to Ghazala Hashmi’s relatives, she was a bright student right from her school days. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southern University and a PhD from Emory University in Atlanta.

Her elder brother Dr Sohail Hashmi, who did PhD in International Relations from Harvard University is a Professor at Massachusetts while younger sister Dr. Saira Ali Khan is a physician based in Florida.

Hashmi shifted to Virginia in early 1990s with her husband Azhar Rafeeq, who is Associate Professor in School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University.

The couple has two daughters. Elder one, Yasmin, who has done Masters in Public Health Administration, is working in Washington while Noor is doing Engineering.

source: http://www.mangalorean.com / Mangalorean.com / Home> Agency News / by IANS / November 08th, 2019

Tamkeen Shaikh – born Indian woman Conservative nominee for UK poll

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, World Opinion, ,

Ahmedabad, GUJARAT  / Barking, UNITED KINGDOM :

Ahmedabad-born Indian woman Conservative nominee for UK poll
Ahmedabad-born Indian woman Conservative nominee for UK poll

London (IANS) :

Indian origin Tamkeen Shaikh, born and raised in Ahmedabad, has been selected as the Conservative Party candidate for the Barking constituency for the December 12 UK elections.

“Delighted to be selected as the Conservative Party Candidate for Barking. Hard work begins now! #BlueBarking,” Shaikh, who studied and worked as a journalist in India before coming to the UK, tweeted on being named candidate.

A staunch supporter of Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Brexit, Shaikh left home 14 years ago for a Masters in media and management in the UK.

Married with two children, Shaikh is now working in the education sector.

She says: “The reason I have joined politics and particularly the Conservative Party is, it’s the best way to contribute to the society and the party believes in creating opportunities for business and innovation.

“Here the Parliament is pushing to have 50:50 representation of men and women and are encouraging women on a wider scale to get involved in politics. If elected my priority is to draw more investments in school, social enterprise, youth engagement, building family homes and care for the elderly.”

“The mantra that has worked for me is ato be consistent and persistent’ that will lead you to achieve your goals. Indians are a large economical contributors in UK and continue to do so. Indian community has integrated well within the community and are making huge progress in all sectors,” she adds.

“Like the majority of Barking residents, I voted Leave and I want to get Brexit done.

“You only have to look at the epidemic of fly-tipping, the state of Barking Station and our failing high streets to realise the Labour Party is failing us. We deserve better than Labour. I live in Barking, my children go to a local school and so I understand the needs of local people.

“We need an MP who will fight for more investment in our schools, improved care for the elderly and to give young people things to occupy them to keep them off the streets and give them a better future.

“I want to see a thriving high street that will benefit social enterprises and small businesses, providing jobs for residents. I am your local candidate representing the local people of Barking and I will get Brexit done,” she promised.

source: http://www.therahnuma.com / The Rahnuma Daily / Home> World / by IANS / November 26th, 2019

Breaking bread between neighbours helps bring down barriers

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, NRI's / PIO's, Travel & Tourism, World Opinion, , ,

Kolkata, WEST BENGAL / London , UNITED KINGDOM:

AsmaKhanMPOs27oct2019

Interview

Drawing from her vast knowledge of  Indian cuisine, celebrated British chef Asma Khan dives into how a shared love for food can blur the boundaries of race and gender.

How would you define the soft power of Indian cuisine in the world?

The beauty of food is that you can enjoy and appreciate it without having to understand the language or the intricacies of a culture. It is the first contact many non-Indians have with Indian heritage. Indian food is a doorway to Indian culture and its people. It sparks conversations between people of different ethnicities.

The prevalence of Indian restaurants and food in supermarkets in countries like the UK means that almost every person has a chance to try and taste the country’s food.

What are some transformative business models (and hiring practices) that you feel could harness the potential of Indian food globally

AsmaKhan02MPOs27oct2019

It is important that food from a culture reflects the roots, flavours, and aromas of that cuisine. Given the popularity of street food in big cities around the world, it is one way in which Indian street food can be presented. Street food is complex, but people of all nationalities can be trained to assemble and serve these dishes.

As far as restaurants are concerned, the traditional model of family-owned businesses is deeply under threat as the next generation seldom wants to go into this business. In the UK, this has resulted in the closing down of many restaurants. A radical rethink is required in the way staff are recruited and trained. The first change should be an attempt to increase the number of women working.

Are the nuances of Indian food filtering through alongside its general popularity?

The generic Indian food, which was popular a decade ago, is still favoured by many. There is a greater awareness of regionality of Indian cuisine because of cheap travel to India, and information available on both the internet and television.

Does cuisine have a role to play in wider political debates, such as Brexit?

There isn’t a united cuisine of Europe. The European Union’s biggest role when it came to food was establishing vigorous health and safety regulations for the food industry and for the way we farmed and fished.

In Europe, there is a very strong regional tradition when it comes to food, which was not impacted by the birth and extension of the European Union. There is no doubt that breaking bread between neighbours is helpful, and sharing a meal helps bring down barriers between people.

How would you categorise your vision for gender balance in the workplace?

My vision is one of equality, equality for opportunity and progression in kitchens for men and women. There is an urgent need to establish codes of conduct, which protect the dignity and honour of everyone working in the kitchen. For too long, the dominant position of the head chef, invariably a man, has meant that the culture of a kitchen is very masculine and sometimes toxic and aggressive. This can intimidate and exclude some women working alongside these men. There has to be respect for women in all kitchens.

How can food technology be harnessed to tackle health-related issues such as diabetes?

There is a growth in food items that are low in fat, low in cholesterol, that are targeted to people trying to practice a healthier diet. Additional information in the labelling for diabetics is the way forward as healthy eating is the standard advice given to them. Diabetics do not necessarily need food produced specifically for them as there is already a growth of low sugar, low starch options.

How does being a Global Indian impact your wider worldview?

I have the advantage of being from the east and the west. I feel rooted in two nations. My cultural and culinary heritage is Indian. This is a great advantage in the work I do as I can present the cuisine of my country of origin with a depth and understanding that comes from having lived there for the first 22 years of my life.

Even though I have now lived longer in the UK than in India, I still feel a deep-rooted connection to my motherland. I can, therefore, explain to someone from another heritage who I am, where I come from, and what my country stands for.

source: http://www.indiaincgroup.com / Home> Interviews / October 24 & October 25th, 2019

Jamia Hamdard to confer honorary doctorate to Frank F Islam

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, World Opinion

UTTAR PRADESH / NEW DELHI / U.S.A. :

Frank F. Islam
Frank F. Islam

New Delhi :

Jamia Hamdard, an institute of higher education announced that it will confer Honorary Doctorate to Dr. Frank F. Islam.

Islam will be formally conferred Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by the Jamia Hamdard University in a Special Convocation on 15th October, 2019, the registrar of the institute, S. S. Akhtar said in a statement.

Islam is an information technology entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist, civic leader, and writer who heads the FI Investment Group. He was the founder and CEO of the QSS Group and has served on numerous boards and advisory councils including the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Board of Directors, Strathmore Center for the Arts, Ford”s Theater Society Board of Trustees and Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts.

Islam joins the list of other distinguished recipients who have been honoured by Jamia Hamdard which includes N. R. Narayana Murthy (Co-Founder of Infosys), Bharat Ratna C.N. R. Rao, Sheila Dikshit (Former Delhi CM).

Inaugurated by late Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India on August 1, 1989, Jamia Hamdard has recently been recommended by the Empowered Committee appointed by the Government of India for recognition as an “Institution of Eminence” and placed at the 5th rank among the 500 or so privately funded Universities of India.

–IANS

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Education> Indian Muslim / by IANS / October 12th, 2019

Oman raring to go for 8-nation ACC U-16 Championship

Education, NRI's / PIO's, Sports, World Opinion, , , , , , , ,

Chennai, TAMIL NADU / Muscat, OMAN :

AymanMPOs17oct2019

Muscat :

Soon after successfully hosting the Pentangular T20 Series, Oman is now gearing up to hold the Asian Cricket Council’s Under-16 Western Region Championship, starting on October 21 at its picturesque twin grounds in Al Amerat.
Having won the five-nation T20 series at senior level, Oman are now looking to repeat the feat at junior level too but this time the matches will be a 35-over a side affair.
Group A comprises UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Bahrain while Group B consists of Oman, Qatar, Maldives and Kuwait.
With top class indoor and outdoor training and practice facilities, apart from the two wonderful grassy grounds, Oman is now emerging as a busy international cricket venue. Many bilateral and multilateral tournaments are going to be held here in the coming months.
Young Amanpreet Singh Sirah has been appointed captain of Oman team for the tournament and will be assisted by wicketkeeper batsman Shanmugarajan.
The team is being coached by Syed Tariq Hussain who is being assisted by Pervez al Balushi. Packed with plenty of penetrating spinners and all-rounders, Oman is expected to reach the semifinals.
“The boys have been training hard for the tournament and I am quite confident we will do fairly well,” said Oman coach Tariq Hussain.
Two games are scheduled to be held at 9.30 am daily, one each on OC ground 1 and 2.
The first day will see UAE taking on Bahrain and Saudi Arabia facing Iran on October 21. Oman will play their first game on Tuesday, October 22, against Kuwait while Qatar will take on Maldives on the adjacent ground.
The semifinals will be held on Monday, October 28, followed by the final the next day at OC ground 1.

Oman squad:

Amanpreet Singh Sirah (captain), Shanmugarajan (wicketkeeper, vice-captain), Mohammed Nihal Siraj, Yash Verma, Bilal Asim, Arjun Dhiman, Siddh Mehta, Ayman Ayaz, Jayesh Anil, Sanjaya Ravindra, Zayed Ali Khan, Viraj Ashar, Abdullah Iftikhar and Tanuj Sivakumar.
Reserves:

Navneeth Krishnan, Aditya Gurumukhi, Qais Khalid al Balushi and Ishan Jabir.
Officials:

Sher Mohammed (manager), Syed Tariq Hussain (coach), Parvez al Balushi (assistant coach), Suresh Kumar (physio).

source: http://www.omanobserver.com / Oman Daily Observer / Home / by Shahzad Raza / October 16th, 2019

From cooking tips to charity: Meet the ‘vlogger family’ from Malappuram

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, NRI's / PIO's, Videos, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mallapuram, KERALA :

MalappuramVloggers01MPOs25sept2019

Vlogging or video-blogging is nothing new in this modern age of technology. But there is an interesting vlogger family worth knowing about. Let’s meet four women from a family in Malappuram, who have established their paths in successful vlogging – Shamseera, Femina, Sabeena and Shabna.

Moyin KP and Khadeeja EC belong to the village of Munduparamb in Malappuram. They have four children – a daughter and three sons. Their daughter Shabna and the three daughters-in-law are into vlogging now. It all began with Shamseera, their eldest daughter-in-law. She grew up in Kerala and Qatar and lived with her husband and kids in Dubai where she too worked for a while. But when they moved to Saudi Arabia in 2014, she found it so different from the places she had been till then – it was hard to go out alone, she couldn’t work as job opportunities were very less for foreign women back then.

Her only solace then lay in her cooking experiments, reading and crafts etc. She even joined her kids’ school as an art teacher but soon realised that ‘teaching itself was art I (she) lacked’. In between, she was also watching videos on YouTube, which gradually brought her to the idea of starting a channel of her own. Shamseera began a YouTube channel in 2016 but had to drop it due to some technical issues. She then began another one in 2017 and uploaded the videos of the previous one in it and thus started the journey again. Since then, she hasn’t turned back from her ‘Momtastic’ channel. (https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCL-LW86fWpQejgKbsoWrQqw#menu). She now has 2.98 lakh subscribers from different parts of the world.

 

Shamseera Sherin and family
Shamseera Sherin and family

The other three were inspired by Shamseera. Shabna Hasker was the second to enter the field. She began her channel ‘Taste Tours’ (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwXXEk9v87KS57cFkpoTgIQ) in May 2018, and soon Sabeena Shemin joined with ‘Sabeena’s Spice Diary’ (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChiazvVDnNGssDgqshIKGAA) in June 2018. And now, Femina couldn’t stay back. She joined the YouTube journey along with her husband Shajin in October 2018 – ‘Femina & Shajin’ (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzfIuOwn17TYHnt9NygsWKg) The topics they have selected are all similar – cooking, cleaning, organizing, gardening, crafts, travel, daily house chores etc. Shamseera chose English as the medium for her vlogs, though she has done one in English, Malayalam and Hindi together. Sabeena and Femina began in English and switched to Malayalam owing to the request of viewers. Shabna uses only Malayalam in her videos.

Femina Shejin and family
Femina Shejin and family

All the four ladies manage their YouTube channels along with taking care of their respective families and running their houses. Shamseera, a graduate in commerce, lives in Riyadh with husband and two kids. Femina, an MBA graduate, is in Calicut with her husband and two kids. Sabeena, a Statistical Investigator on leave from government service, lives with husband and a kid in Sharjah. Shabna, a graduate in commerce, lives in Malappuram with husband, three kids and parents-in-law. Speaking to TwoCircles.Net, they said that they wished to upload videos twice or thrice a week in a fixed time but were not able to do so always. Shamseera, Femina and Sabeena shoot their videos and do the related works when their kids are away in school, while Shabna has her youngest child always with her at home and so has to do her works at night after the kids go to sleep. All mentioned the support of their families. Shabna’s channel has more than 1.5 lakh subscribers, while Sabeena’s has 1.01 lakh and Femina’s more than 31,000.

Shabna Hasker and family
Shabna Hasker and family

Shabna now has a cookbook to her credit – ‘Janapriya Ruchikal’ by leading publisher DC Books, expected to be released soon. It was her husband Dr Hasker who suggested the idea and pushed her into writing it when she was reluctant. Shamseera has even starred in an advertisement for the famous Lulu Supermarket.

When asked how they managed their private life and public vlog with the camera inside their homes, all four said they were extremely particular that their vlogging shouldn’t affect their private lives. Shabna said, “We do capture our daily life at home but only for a short time. For example, we capture the first few moments of having food and then turn it off. So we have our time too.” Femina owes the lag between her videos to the priority she has kept.

shabna hasker
shabna hasker

While the other three vlog on their own, Femina does it along with her husband. “It is good. We can spend some more time together,” she said. In addition to the usual topics dealt with by all, they also do comedy videos along with their kids. However, there are times when Femina has to do the vlogs alone as Shajin gets busy with work. The daughter of an Army Major, Femina was born in Kerala and grew up in different parts of the country. After completing her graduation in Commerce, she did MBA in HR and worked for a while when they were in Dubai and back in Kerala. Now she is also running a home décor-related business online.

Sabeena Shemin and family
Sabeena Shemin and family

They also try to keep regular contact with their viewers–replying to messages on social media and trying to do videos on request. “Editing and uploading a video is a big task. My eyes get tired, my energy levels fall. But once I publish a video, the comments from my loving viewers are just enough to make my battery level go 100% in a few seconds,” said Shamseera. She recalled an experience she had last month on a trip to Kochi when a lady rode 6-7 kilometers on a scooter with two kids just to meet her.

So, how has YouTube affected their lives? Shamseera confesses she was reserved and shy earlier, but vlogging has made her a more confident person. Life has become busier and more hectic, but now that they are used to it, Femina says it is a beautiful mix. The women are doing their bit for charity too, the latest being during the floods in Kerala. Life has changed for all the four – getting recognized is indeed a matter, but it makes them more responsible too.

MalappuramVloggers07MPOs25sept2019

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> TCN Positive> Indian Muslim> Lead Story> Women / by Najiya O – TwoCircles.net / September 16th, 2019

Houston’s Indian Muslims Rise Above Divisive Politics

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, World Opinion, , , , ,

Houston, Texas , U.S.A. :

HoustonMPOs15sept2019

Houston :

The decision by the Indian Muslims Association of Greater Houston( IMAGH) to become a Welcome Partner for the community reception to Prime Minister Narendra Modi is another step by IMAGH to rise above divisive politics in solidarity with other Indian-American organizations.

It was a unanimous decision by the IMAGH Board of Directors and the Executive Committee to be part of the organizing committee. Some 50,000 people have registered to hear Prime Minister Modi in what will be the largest audience in the US for a visiting foreign leader other than the Pope. 612 organizations have registered so far to be the Welcome Partner and the online registration is still open on howdymodi.org . Over 1,000 volunteers are working tirelessly to make the event a grand spectacle for the Houston community.

“The mission of IMAGH is to foster unity across cultures, communities and religion. We can only work toward this goal by engaging with all groups. We may not agree with their beliefs, practices or ideas but unless we interact with them in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, we cannot get our point of view across to them,” said Dr. Maqbool Haq, Chairman of the IMAGH Board of Directors.

Alluding to plans by a section of the people to stage a protest at NRG Stadium where Prime Minister Modi will be addressing the community on September 22, Dr Haq said,” We feel, we should try to have a seat at the table to present our views rather than not be at the table.”

Latafath Hussain, founding president of IMAGH, said, “I am very proud to be both an Indian and a Muslim. Growing up in Varanasi (Modiji’s constituency), I always felt that I had the same opportunities as everyone else. So when the duly elected leader of mother India comes visiting my adopted home town, it is my duty to give him a warm welcome.”

In a major outreach effort three months ago, IMAGH invited Ramesh Bhutada, national vice president of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh in America to be the chief guest at the organization’s signature event to celebrate Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr, opening a new door for Hindu-Muslim cooperation in Houston and beyond.

Bhutada was forthcoming in his speech and received standing ovation by over 500 people at the event. He introduced himself as vice president of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, which is an independent US organization that takes inspiration from RSS in India and declared: “The RSS and the HSS would like communal harmony and unity among all religions.”

He quoted RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, “India’s development cannot be complete without the development and progress of the minorities.”

Bhutada said: “We all have historical baggage — let’s acknowledge that — but we cannot look backwards. We have to look forward and that is the only way we can lead a peaceful life in this world.”

Hussain thinks that in order to move forward we must understand that we may be Hindus or Muslims or Christians but we are primarily Indian and are “part and parcel” of the Indian community in Houston. “In the community, there are, as there should be, political differences, but that’s for private debate. In front of the larger Houston and American community, we have to stand as one.”

Vijay Pallod, who is on the boards of IMAGH and Hindus of Greater Houston (HGH), says that both the organizations are unique in their role to carry out their missions with respect and understanding for each other.

The close cooperation between Hindu and Muslim organizations dates back to September 2010 when India Culture Center, an umbrella organization of various Indian groups, decided to host an Eid Milan party in collaboration with Indian Muslim groups. The joint event was an instant success and led to creation of IMAGH to foster amity across cultures, communities, and religions.

“We, in Houston, are proud to have a united happy community that respects interfaith customs and traditions by participating and celebrating Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas and Baisakhi,” said Col. Raj Bhalla who was the Event Chair of the Eid Milan party in 2010.

Talking about the joint event, Swapan Dhairyawan, president of Houston ICC in 2010, said, “This interaction and pollination has led to several positive and healthy relationships not only among individuals but also between organizations.”

India’s present Consul General in Houston, Dr. Anupam Ray, also helped in promoting cooperation by hosting an Iftar party in the fasting month of Ramadan for the past four years where people professing different faiths and nationalities were invited to break the fast with Muslims at the end of the day.

Although these efforts may appear to be the feeble first steps, the Houston community is showing its determination to move forward as ONE.

source: http://www.indiacurrents.com / India Currents / Home> Latest – Community / by Haider Kazim / September 14th, 2019

Kerala State Haj Committee gets its first woman member L Sulaikha

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

KERALA :

In a revolutionary move, Kerala State Haj Committee has got its first woman member. INL leader and Kanhangad municipality vice-chairperson L Sulaikha will serve the Haj Committee for the next two year

Malappuram :

In a revolutionary move, Kerala State Haj Committee has got its first woman member. INL leader and Kanhangad municipality vice-chairperson L Sulaikha will serve the Haj Committee for the next two years.

(Photo | EPS)
(Photo | EPS)

“It is a happy occasion and I am glad to serve the committee,” Sulaikha told Express.
The INL Kanhangad constituency committee secretary received official confirmation from officers concerned on Saturday, and she is all set to leave for Thiruvananthapuram to attend the new committee’s first meeting. Sualikha said that she will give emphasis on reducing the inconveniences faced by women pilgrims to Mecca. “In fact, females outnumber male pilgrims when it comes to Haj, and it’s the need of the hour to ensure women representation in Haj Committee,” she said.

This year, around 1,120 women applicants have left for Mecca without Mahram (male escort) after reforms were brought in the revised Haj policy by the Haj Committee of India. This relaxation for women was brought in lines with changes in Saudi Arabia’s Haj rule. In 2014, Saudi changed its rule that prevented women from performing Haj without related male or husband.

A graduate in English Language and Literature, Sulaikha was elected to Kanhangad municipality for the first time in 2010; she was the health standing committee chairperson in the civic body.
Sulaikha is thankful to INL leadership: “The support extended by my leaders helped me get the new position.”

Sulaikha’s husband Abdul Ameer is a Qatar-based businessman. Their daughter, Fathimath Naj Beegum, is third class student.

Apart from Sulaikha, the new committee has P V Abdul Wahab MP, MLAs Karat Razak and Muhammed Muhsin, Bahauddeen Muhammed  Nadwi, Kadakkal Abdul Azeez Moulavi, C Mohammed Faizy, Abdu Rahman, Musliyar Sajeer,  Anas MS, VT Abdullakoya Thangal, Mohammed Qasim Koya, H Muzammil Haji and PK Ahammed as elected members.

Besides, Kerala State Wakf Board chairman Syed Rasheed Ali Shihab Thangal and Malappuram district collector Amit Meena are ex officio members.

The first meeting, which is to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, will elect the new chairman.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Shafeeq Alingal / Express News Service / August 13th, 2018