Category Archives: NRI’s / PIO’s

Assam’s only woman CM passes way

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

ASSAM / AUSTRALIA :

Former Chief Minister of Assam Syeda Anowara Taimur. File   | Photo Credit: The Hindu

Syeda Anwara Taimur had taken charge during the peak of the Assam Agitation; her name did not figure in the NRC

Syeda Anwara Taimur, Assam’s only woman Chief Minister passed away on Monday. She was 84.

A four-time Congress MLA who won her first election in 1972, Ms. Taimur became the Chief Minister for a little more than six months during the height of the anti-foreigners’ agitation in the State. Her tenure ended on June 30, 1981.

Ms Taimur represented the Congress in the Rajya Sabha twice before joining the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) in 2011.

She had made headlines in 2018 when her name did not figure in the updated National Register of Citizens. She later said members of her family might not have applied to get her name included in the list. Ms Taimur has been living with her son in Australia for the past four years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi and State Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condoled her death and underlined her contribution for the development of the State.

State Congress president Ripun Bora, the party’s leader of opposition in the Assam Assembly Debabrata Saikia and AIUDF president Maulana Badruddin Ajmal also mourned Ms Taimur’s death reportedly due to cardiac arrest.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Other States / by Special Correspondent / Guwahati – September 29th, 2020

Community icon presented with Australian award

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JAMMU & KASHMIR / AUSTRALIA :

Reflections on half a century of community service in Australia: Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad after the award ceremony on Tuesday 8 September 2020 at the front lawns of Government House in Sydney.

Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad OAM, 90, a retired professor of mechanical engineering and a Quranic scholar and long time community leader was presented with his Order of Australia medals on Tuesday 8 September 2020 by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley, AC, QC, the Governor of NSW.

Watch video of Investiture Ceremony and citation for Dr Ahmad for the award.

The award was announced on Australia Day 26 January earlier this year but the investiture ceremony was much delayed due to the pandemic and was held in September at the Government House in Sydney under COVID-19 restrictions.

Dr Ahmad, professor and head of department of mechanical engineering in Kashmir was forced to leave his job and arrived in Australia in 1971 and has been in the forefront of building Islamic institutions, founding community organisations and promoting interfaith harmony for almost half a century.

Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad receiving the Award Medals from the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley, AC, QC on Tuesday 8 September 2020 at Government House, Sydney.

This was the first of a number of investiture ceremonies to be held in stages for the recipients of Order of Australia medals this year in compliance with COVID-19 regulations and health advice.

Dr Ahmad was accompanied by his eldest son Zia Ahmad and and daughters Fauzia Siddiqui and Najia Khalil at the award ceremony at Government House in Sydney.

Dr Ahmad with his daughter Fauzia Siddiqui (left), son Zia Ahmad and daughter Najia Khalil after the investiture ceremony at the Government House front lawn in Sydney on Tuesday 8 September 2020.

The Order of Australia was bestowed upon Dr Ahmad in recognition of his services to the Muslim community and for promoting interfaith harmony.

By profession, a retired engineer and academic having earned his major qualifications at Aligarh Muslim University, India, University of Wisconsin, USA and University of Sydney, Australia, he taught at various universities in India, Australia and Papua New Guinea.

A Quranic scholar of international standing, having obtained his Islamic education from original sources after mastering English, Urdu, Arabic and Farsi languages, his major passion in life is, and has been for most of his life, the application of Islam in the daily life of mankind, both for Muslims and people of other faiths and beliefs.

Dr Ahmad lives in Sydney with his wife Jamal Ara Ahmad surrounded by 70+ strong extended family and is a father, grandfather and great grandfather.

With the Governor of NSW at the front lawn of  Government House, Sydney.

The citation announced at the event for the award included a long list of services that he has been rendered by him to the Australian community during the last 50 years.

Citation for the award read at the Investiture ceremony

Below are some of Dr Ahmad’s community achievements:

  • Founding Secretary, Australian Islamic Mission (AIM) 1972.
  • Founding President, Muslims Australia (also known as Australian Federation of Islamic Councils AFIC) 1976-77.
  • Editor-in-Chief, Australian Muslim Times 1991; Chief Advisor, Australasian Muslim Times AMUST, 2014-current.
  • Member, Board of Trustees, International Council of Islamic Information (United Kingdom), since 1993.
  • Founder and Patron, Islamic Forum for Australian Muslims (IFAM) 1993.
  • Founder, Member and Patron, Aligarh Muslim University Alumni of Australia (AMUAA), since 1992.
  • Member, Association for Indian Muslims (United States), 1992.
  • Founder and Patron, Islamic Foundation for Education and Welfare, since 1986.
  • Co-Founder and Chief Organiser, Multicultural Eid Festival and Fair (MEFF), since 1985.
  • Founder and Member, Council of Islamic Affairs New South Wales (now ICNSW), 1974-1976.
  • Founding President, Sydney University Muslim Students Association, 1972-1974.
  • Assembly Member, Council of Parliament of World Religions, USA, since 1993.
  • Establishment of the Interfaith Youth Friendship Centre, 2006.

Awards and recognition of Dr Ahmad’s contribution include:

  • Lifetime Achievement Award, Australian Muslim Achievement Awards, 2011.
  • Sir Syed Award, AMU Alumni of Australia, 2003.
  • Centenary Medal for contribution to Australian society, 2001.
  • Services to Islam Award, Australian Muslim Professionals (FAMP), 1994.
  • Community Service Award in recognition of a valuable contribution to the Bicentenary, 1988.

Read more about Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad’s life and achievements.

source: http://www.amust.com.au / AMUST (Australian Muslim Times) / Home> News> Top News / by Zia Ahmed / September 11th, 2020

Hyderabadi girl’s paintings adorn walls of London restaurant

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

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

The artworks in acrylic and of different sizes have adorned the walls of the restaurant.

Hyderabad: 

A 14-year-old girl’s passion for painting paid off as her artworks have made their way to London to adorn the walls of a restaurant.

Syeda Ashna Turabi, a class 10 student, is elated as her six paintings including an art work of historic Charminar, Mecca Masjid and its surroundings have been displayed at Adeena’s Kitchen, a restaurant opened in South London last week.

The art works attracted the attention of a businessman when Ashna’s father had posted them on social media.

Impressed by her paintings, Syed Amjad Ali bought six of them for his restaurant, which serves Indian, especially Hyderabadi food.

The artworks in acrylic and of different sizes have adorned the walls of the restaurant.

“Thanks to Almighty Allah I have achieved this success and I hope to carry this forward,” Ashna told IANS.

Painting came naturally for this Hyderabadi who took keen interest in drawing and colouring since her nursery school days.

Like many children of her age, she was fond of drawing and colouring. However, she persisted with her hobby as she moved to high school and it turned into a passion.

Urooj Ahmed, a freelance photojournalist, did everything possible to encourage Ashna, the eldest of his three daughters.

“I realized that she has some special talents in her and provided her all the required support and encouragement,” he said.

Ashna has done her artworks with all including oil paint, coffee, ink, water colours, and acrylic

What makes Ashna’s achievement special is she learnt the art on her own. “She used to spend hours working on canvases and with every painting she improved,” said Urooj Ahmed.

Ashna, however, received some guidance and useful tips from Fawad Tamkanat, a leading artist and son of well-known Urdu poet Shaz Tamkanat.

Last year, Urooj Ahmed started uploading her works on Facebook and other social media platforms.

Ashna now plans to do a series of paintings on Indian culture and heritage. “I want to do a series of paintings on different subjects like various dynasties and monuments,” she said.

She also wishes to organise an exhibition to display her artworks. “It will take some time as I want to focus on studies while continuing the art in the available time,” she added.

Source: IANS

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Top Stories / by Minhaj Adnan / by IANS / September 21st, 2020

FMS Welfare Trust inaugurates ‘Roti Bank’ for hungry poor

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, FREE : Food, NRI's / PIO's, World Opinion, , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Hyderabad: 

FMS Welfare Trust, with an aim to serve Sadaat-E-Ekraam and poor to eradicate hunger, inaugurated ‘Roti Bank’ on Friday at Nampally, Hyderabad.

The initiative was inaugurated by Siasat’s Managing Editor Zaheeruddin Ali Khan Ali along with other Welfare Trust members.

The trust was founded by Hasan Nawaz Khan in Chicago, with a team of five in July 2017. Multiple programs under the Trust are undertaken in Hyderabad and Gulbarga for improvement of social and economic status of the poor and needy.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Photos> Hyderabad (Photos) / by Shaik Nizamuddin Laeeq / September 18th, 2020

Three Indians risk lives to save 2 Omanis from drowning

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Seeb Beach, OMAN :

Shahid Rukhnuddin, Mudassir Kola and Mohiddin Anas / supplied image / khaleejtimes.com

Shahid Ruknuddin, Mudassir Kola and Mohiddin Anas had been fishing when they saw the Omanis crying for help.

Three Indian friends risked their own lives to save two Omanis from drowning after their boat reportedly capsized on Seeb Beach.

On the night of August 29, Shahid Ruknuddin, Mudassir Kola and Mohiddin Anas, based in Oman’s Seeb, went fishing.

For the first time, the trio tried fishing from the sea walls and not the seashore.

However, the trio couldn’t catch any fish, felt uncomfortable hearing sounds coming from the dark and decided to leave. But it was then they could spot two Omanis shouting for help. Ruknuddin jumped into the water, Kola followed him while Anas informed the police. The timely act helped save the lives of two Omanis.

Anas said it was destiny that they were at that spot at the right time. “I have been fishing since 2014 but for the first time we went to the sea walls. It was Ruknuddin’s idea to go there.

“Right from the start, we kept hearing some sounds. It was dark and a bit scary. I told Ruknuddin and Kola that maybe the fishermen were trying to scare us by making such sounds.

“We were not finding any fish and decided to leave. But whenever I switched off my flashlight, the sound got louder,” Anas said. The trio wondered if someone was in trouble and seeking help in Arabic.

So they decided to check all the spots. “For 15 minutes, we flashed our torch in different parts of the sea to spot any person. Our search was in vain and we decided to give up. Just when we were leaving, suddenly Kola spotted a face. They were two Omanis in the water seeking help. They were at a distance and we shouted at them with little Arabic we know.

“I informed the police. But we know even if police would reach the shore quickly, it would take a while to reach our spot. We kept encouraging them to try and swim towards us, but we felt they were exhausted,” Anas said. It was then that Ruknuddin jumped into the water and helped save the Omanis.

Recollecting the experience, Ruknuddin said: “It’s a great privilege that Allah gave me this opportunity to save lives. I jumped into the waters without thinking about anything else. By Allah’s grace, I was able to help two people.”

Anas added: “Ruknuddin is the real hero. He never thought about his life. He jumped into the water which had sharp rocks beneath.

“He got injured in the process but was strong.”

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

source: http://www.khaleejtimes.com / Khaleej Times / Home> Region> Oman / by Ashwani Kumar, Khaleej Times, Abu Dhabi / September 03rd, 2020

Well known NRI Minhaj-ud-Din Ansari passes away

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

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Hyderabad: 

Muhammad Minhaj-ud-Din Ansari son of Abdul Wahid Ansari Inam Dad Madhol passed away on Moday (September 7).

Minhaj was a well known NRI and had died due to a short illness. His funeral were performed on Monday after namaz-e- Asar.

 Minhaj is survived by two daughters and a son.

His family and friends have urged for prayers.

source: http://www.siasat.com / Siasat / Home> News> Hyderabad News / by Nihad Amani / September 08th, 2020

Obituaries pour in for Indian social worker in UAE, Kerala’s Nandi Nazar

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Koyilandi (Kozhiode District) KERALA / Dubai, UAE :

Social workers today, repatriated the mortal remains of prominent social worker Nandi Nazar, from UAE to India, a free service that he provided to hundreds during his lifetime.

Nandi Nazar, aged 61, passed away early Sunday morning due to a heart attack, according to community sources. Born on January 1, 1958 in Kozhikode, Nandi Nazar would’ve turned 62 this New Year.

 

Fondly called Nandi ‘Ikka’ meaning big brother, he came from Koyilandi in Kozhikode district in Kerala, India and had been in UAE since 1992. Photo Courtesy: Nandi Nazar FB

Musliyar Kandy Abdul Nazar popularly known as Nandi Nazar, offered voluntary services through a community welfare group called Change a Life, Save a Life for this, through which he touched the lives of people in UAE as well as in India. 

Hundreds of Indian community members, businessmen and friends and family members came together to pay final respects to the veteran businessman and social worker, fondly called Nandi ‘ikka’, meaning older brother among Malayali Muslims. 

Well respected in the community, the prominent social worker supported various community activities of Dubai Police and the Indian Consulate in Dubai. Phot Courtesy: Nandi Nazri/ FB

Nazri helped several people who sought visa amnesty or were in any kind of distress. He was very vocal in his support of the provision of free repatriation services of mortal remains and of bedridden patients. 

During the devastating Kerala floods in 2018, Nandi and his associates sent tonnes of relief materials to victims in his home state.  

Community members and Indian social workers shocked at his untimely passing, gathered together and held a special memorial prayer for the deceased who is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

source: http://www.connectedtoindia.com / Connected to India / Home> News> UAE / Ctol News Desk / Decemeber 30th, 2019

Mangaluru: Muslim welfare association, Bahrain distributes food kits to Covid victims`

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, COVID 19 - Community of Soldiers, FREE : Food, Karnataka (under research project), NRI's / PIO's, , , ,

Bahrain :

Mangaluru :

Bahrain based Dakshina Kannada Muslim welfare association distributed food kits to Covid-19 victims at Kote mansion, Valencia here on Sunday, August 30.

Karnataka NRI forum Bahrain president Leeladhar Bykampady was the chief guest for the programme. Food kits were distributed to about 100 people.

World Kannada cultural conference committee founder president K P Manjunath Sagar said that the Dakshina Kannada Muslim welfare association has been relentlessly indulged in social work since its inception.

Former MCC deputy mayor Saleem, Dakshina Kannada Muslim welfare association vice president Ummar and founder member Moidin were the guests of honor. Former MCC mayor Ashraf who presided over the programme said that the welfare association has continuously helped poor people and is a model organization.

Programme convenor Mubarak was on the dais. Port trader Mohsin Bava welcomed the gathering while author Dr Kasargod Ashok Kumar compeered the programme. Sayyed Bahrain rendered the vote of thanks. 

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Karnataka / by Rons Bantwal / Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP) – September 01st, 2020

London Blue Plaque honor for Indian Muslim ‘spy princess’

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, Travel & Tourism, World Opinion

MYSURU / FRANCE / London, UNITED KINGDOM :

The late former British secret agent Noor Inayat Khan plays a Veena.(File/AFP)
  • English Heritage described her as “Britain’s first Muslim war heroine in Europe”
  • Khan was the first female wireless operator sent to Nazi-occupied France but was captured, tortured and shot dead

London :

A woman of Indian-origin dubbed “the spy princess” on Friday gets a new memorial in Britain honoring her espionage work and refusal to betray secrets in World War II.


English Heritage is putting up a Blue Plaque honoring Noor Inayat Khan outside 4 Taviton Street in the Bloomsbury area of central London where she lived from 1942-43.

In 2012, Queen Elizabeth II’s daughter Princess Anne unveiled a bronze bust of Khan in nearby Gordon Square Gardens.


Her biographer, Shrabani Basu, said Khan, born into a princely Indian Sufi family and descended from Tipu Sultan, the 18th century ruler of Mysore, was an “unlikely spy.”


She believed in non-violence and religious harmony but gave her life in the fight against fascism when her adopted country needed her, she said.
“It is fitting that Noor Inayat Khan is the first woman of Indian origin to be remembered with a Blue Plaque,” said Basu, who wrote “Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan.”


“As people walk by, Noor’s story will continue to inspire future generations. In today’s world, her vision of unity and freedom is more important than ever.”


Khan was the first female wireless operator sent to Nazi-occupied France but was captured, tortured and shot dead aged 30 at the Dachau concentration camp in September 1944.

English Heritage described her as “Britain’s first Muslim war heroine in Europe.” She was killed after refusing to give away secrets under repeated torture by the Gestapo.


Khan was posthumously awarded the George Cross and is one of only four women to have directly received Britain’s highest non-combat award for gallantry.

English Heritage has acknowledged that the proportion of women celebrated by its blue plaque scheme remains “unacceptably low.”
It is planning to unveil tributes to the secret agent Christine Granville at a west London hotel where she lived and the sculptor Barbara Hepworth in north London.


Another is planned for the headquarters of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies, which campaigned successfully for women to be allowed to vote.

source: http://www.arabnews.com / Arab News / Home> World / by AFP / August 29th, 2020

Indian businessman honoured for his philanthropic work by UAE government

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Dubai , UAE :

Indian businessman honoured for his philanthropic work by UAE government

The excellence certificate and citation was handed over to Merchant by Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. Image Credit: Supplied

Dubai:

The UAE Ministry of Interior on August 19 honoured Indian businessman Firoz Goulam Merchant for his exemplary community services.

The excellence certificate and citation was handed over to Merchant by Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, in the presence of senior police officers and government officials.

Since 2008, Merchant, the proprietor of Pure Gold Jewellers, launched a philanthropic movement called the Forgotten Society. Spearheading this initiative, Merchant worked tirelessly with several correctional institutions in the country to identify debt-ridden prisoners and assisted them in repaying debts to the tune of millions, thereby securing their release and providing free air passage to their respective countries.

A deeply humbled Merchant told Gulf News: “It was a very proud moment for me to be acknowledged by the government of the land. I would like to express my gratitude to the UAE Government for this honourable recognition for my humble efforts to support the community.”

source: http://www.gulfnews.com / Gulf News / Home> UAE / by Staff Report / August 20th, 2020