Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Several Indian community leaders demanded more effective, flawless and proactive intervention of the Indian mission to tackle coronavirus pandemic situation of ordinary workers in the Kingdom's western region. There has been steep increase in the number of cases apart from a high risk of the pandemic spreading through contacts among the ordinary people who are living in bachelor's rooms in various cities across the region, they said while attending a virtual session organized by the Jeddah-based Goodwill Global Initiative (GGI). The meeting underscored the need to enhance awareness among the community members and calling on them to refrain from negligent behavior while strictly adhering to the Saudi COVID-19 protocols and comply with precautionary and preventive measures. More than 30 leaders from various cities and regions from Tabuk in the north to Najran in the south as well as media persons attended the meeting. GGI President Dr. Ismail Maritheri of King Abdulaziz University, who chaired the meeting, gave a presentation detailing the current pandemic situation prevailing in the region with the support of statistical figures collected through a questionnaire sent earlier to the prominent social workers and community organizations. The meeting decided to set up a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), headed by a prominent social worker Hassan Siddeeque Babu. The meeting thanked and appreciated the great efforts being made by the government of Saudi Arabia, especially the Ministry of Health, in combating the spread of coronavirus. The leaders also expressed overall satisfaction over the measures and procedures being taken by the Indian Embassy and the Consulate General to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the pandemic and the steps taken for the repatriation of the most compelling cases. Community leaders called on the Indian mission to make available of highly equipped ambulances and arrange medicine by using Indian Community Welfare Fund. It was also explained in the meeting the difficulties of arduous road travel of up to 800 km by the most compelling cases including the sick, elderly and pregnant women to Jeddah airport for repatriation. Therefore, the leaders called for starting flight service from Jazan and Madinah, and also for using jumbo flights for repatriation. It was also noted that that there should be a vigilant mechanism to prevent misuse of flight service by some undeserving people, as well as to make arrangements for refreshment facilities in Jeddah. This facility was sought mostly for the outgoing passengers from remote regions as they being faced difficulties in the absence of such arrangements after reaching Jeddah. The leaders pointed out that the ordinary Indians who are working in the unorganized sectors as well as in grocery shops and teashops (boofiyas) are the worst affected of the pandemic. The meeting appreciated the relief work and distribution of food and medicine kits being carried out by various organizations among the Indians. Kerala Muslim Culture (KMCC), Overseas Indian Cultural Center (OICC) and Navodaya are the leading organizations in carrying out these services, of which KMCC has so far distributed 14,000 food kits while Navodaya announced plans to provide flight tickets for 1,000 people. Addressing the meeting, Mohammed Alungal, president of Abeer Medical Group, and V.P. Mohammed Ali, chairman of Jeddah National Hospital, assured all medical support for the most distressed cases, and counseling for those workers who are in the grip of mental stress due to loss of jobs. They underlined the need for strictly adhering to the COVID-19 protocols by all members of the community. Those who spoke on the occasion included Ahmad Palayat and Aboobaker Arimbra (KMCC); KTA Muneer and Abdul Majeed Naha (OICC); VKA Rauf and Shibu Thiruvanthapuram (Navodaya); PPA Raheem (New Age), K.P Abdul Salam (MES), P.M Mayinkutty (Indian Media Forum), Abbas Chemban and Salah Karadan (Islahi Center), Ubaidullah Tangal (Islamic Center), CH Basheer (Thanima Cultural Forum), Koyissan Beerankutty (Indian Social Forum), Naushad Mariyad (Indian Muslim Cultural Center), Haneefa Parakkallil (Pharmacy Forum), and E.M. Abdullah (Indian Fraternity Forum). Raheem Othukkumgal (Pravasi Cultural Forum), Mujeeb AR Nagar (Indian Cultural Forum), Naser Chavakkad (Islamic Dawa Council), Kunhimon Kakiya and Mujeeb Pookkottur (Makkah), Said Moonniyur (Madinah), Lalu Shooranad (Tabuk), Sankar Elankoor (Yanbu), Nalakath Muhammad Salih (Taif), Haris Kallayi and Thaha Kolleth (Jazan), Ashraf Kuttichal (Abha), and Faisal Babu (Qunfudah) also spoke. Earlier, the meeting began with recitation of a few verses from the Holy Qur'an by Sahal Kalambrattil. GGI General Secretary Hassan Cheruppa welcomed the attendees while Treasurer Hassan Siddeeque Babu proposed the vote of thanks. Sadiqali Thuvur was the host. Those who attended the event included Raheem Patterkadavan, managing director of Zahrani Group, Saleem Mullaveettil, Ishaque Poondoli, Musthafa Vakaloor, Jaleel Kannamangalam, A.M. Abdullakutty, Abdurahman Kalambrattil, Kabeer Kondotty, Noufal Palakkot, Ebrahim Shamnad, Aruvi Mongam, P.M. Murthada, Ghafour Kondotty, A.P.A Ghafour, Ashraf Pattathil, Musthafa Peruvallur and Mansoor Wandoor.
