Indian Consul General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai (second right) presents the book “Haj Umrah: Makkayum Malayalipperumayum” written by Hassan Cheruppa (center) to Chairman and Managing Director of Al-Abeer Medical Group Muhammad Alungal (second left), Ebrahim Shamanad (extreme left), Jaleel Kannamangalam (third left), and General Secretary of All India Islahi Movement Hussein Madavoor (extreme right). (Inset) Saudi Gazette Editor-in-chief Khaled Almaeena narrates an anecdote. — SG photos Saudi Gazette report
JEDDAH — A ceremony to launch a book titled “Haj Umrah: Makkayum Malayalipperumayum (Haj and Umrah: Makkah and the Kudos of Malayalis)” was held at Seasons Restaurant here Wednesday. The 288-page book written in Malayalam language by Jeddah-based journalist Hassan Cheruppa of Saudi Gazette gives readers a unique opportunity to have rare glimpses of the strong bonds that binds Saudi Arabia with India since centuries. Chief Guest and Indian Consul General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Guest of Honor and Editor-in-Chief Saudi Gazette Khaled Almaeena, Special Guest and General Secretary of All India Islahi Movement Hussein Madavoor, Chairman and Managing Director of Al-Abeer Medical Group Muhammad Alungal were among the attendees. The function was presided by Jaleel Kannamangalam, President of Jeddah Chapter of Indian Media Forum, which organized the event. Kidwai, who launched the book, said the book covers not only all aspects of the Haj and Umrah rituals but also a lot of history about relations between India and Saudi Arabia. “All of us know that the relations between the two great nations took its origin from Kerala thanks to the Arabs who went there for trade even before the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him). “The first mosque which we had in our country was in Kerala,” he said while commending the Keralites' role in strengthening these relations, adding, “The credit for maintaining these relations also goes to the Keralite community.” Referring to the book, Kidwai said: “In India, there is a lot of literature and books on Haj, but a literature which comes from somebody who has been living here for over 15 years and who has practical knowledge and understanding is very interesting.It would benefit the pilgrims tremendously.” Commending Almaeena's services to the Indian community, Kidwai said: “Almaeena is very appreciated among the expatriate community and he is a person who stood always with us, trying to raise our voice and concerns. Leading the Kingdom's two English newspapers, one after another, he served and is still serving our community very successfully.” In his speech, Almaeena highlighted India's unity in its diversity. “The best thing I can say about India is its diversity. Even in the case of people who come from totally different terrain and have different ideals and beliefs. What binds them together is their love for India.” Almaeena said that Indians have always been a community that have worked together, but Keralites have shown unity that goes beyond ethnicity and religion. “The hard work and dedication of Indians have contributed tremendously in the remarkable growth, progress and development of Saudi Arabia. “I saw Keralites totally secular in their approach to life and they focus on addressing troubles of others rather than projecting their own troubles,” he said while addressing the elite audience representing a cross section of the Keralite community living in Jeddah. Almaeena added: “I have always been very much impressed by Indians. I found Indian communities in many countries around the world that I visited. In the east coast of America, I found an Indian society and also a Keralite association. Their homogeneous nature and the way they with behave each other...there is something systematic.” He further regaled his audience with his sense of humor by citing an example of how his knowledge of Keralites proved a boon in the United Nations. “In 2000, I was in the delegation of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to New York to attend the UN Millennium Conference as a media person. “I missed the bus that took the Saudi delegation inside the UN headquarters. I tried to enter through another entrance to save one and a half kilometer-walk but the security guard stopped me. “Looking at his features, I took a chance and asked ‘Are you from Kerala? To which he responded with glee asking me how did I recognize it. I said: I have been to Cochin and Kumarakam, and I know about Kerala and its people.' The guard then helped me go through the entrance and took me to the Saudi delegation and saved me one and a half kilometers of walk. That is how helpful Keralites are.” He also highlighted the outstanding contributions of Indians in Makkah. “There are several families of Indian origin in Makkah. “Saulathiya Madrassa, the first school in the Arabian Peninsula, established by Indians in Makkah, played a great role in the educational development of the old Hijaz province, including Makkah and Madinah.” Talking about the book, Almaeena said: “I believe the book would enlighten readers about Haj and related topics. I concur with Kidwai that this book should be translated into English and other languages so as to benefit pilgrims.” After his receiving his copy of thebook, Alungal said that the author draws an amazing picture of Haj and Umrah rituals through the book and has fulfilled a big social commitment. In his speech, Dr. Madavoor said the book touches almost all aspects of Haj and Umrah that the pilgrims should know about. He also spoke about his Phd thesis that focused on the contributions of 31 Indian scholars who migrated to Makkah and Madinah. Cheruppa presented the book while V.M. Ibrahim, Executive Editor of Gulf Madhyamam daily, reviewed it. Earlier, the function started with a recitation of a few verses from the Qur'an by Hussein Baqawi. Media Forum Secretary Ebrahim Shamnad welcomed the gathering and former President Usman irumbuzhi gave the vote of thanks.
