Syeda Amtul Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Deccan NRIs group, which has taken up the causes and issues of the people here, celebrated their annual function at a local restaurant here recently. They honored a social activist for his dedicated services to better others' lives. President Deccan NRIs group Syed Abdul Qadeer Khalid presided over the function while Tarek Mishkas, Editor-in-chief of Urdu News and Malayalam News dailies, was the chief guest of the event. Syed Abdul Qadeer, in his address, said: “The Deccan NRIs group has worked to their strategy during the past five years and were instrumental in tackling issues such as widow's allowance, marriage arrangements for orphan children, Ramadan food package, eye testing camp and free distribution of eye glasses. He provided a PowerPoint presentation prepared by Rashid Abdul Razzak featuring their plans to work for the release of helpless prisoners in Hyderabad Jail. According to him thousands of prisoners, who need help, are in Hyderabad jail and we will do our best to help them. He also said: “Every year we give an award to a social worker in recognition of his/her services and, this year we have decided to give it to Syed Khaja Viqaruddin. We found him active, dedicated person in social services, religious work, welfare services and educational fields.” Mishkas praised the work done by Deccan NRIs group and appreciated their efforts of helping the needy in society. He said: “I thought Deccan NRIs group is a small group but after seeing this slide show I can recognize the big works they are doing. It's really commendable” He also congratulated the award winner Syed Khaja Viqaruddin for his service to the community. “He truly deserves this award as we know he is very ambitious and dynamic personality,” he added. Mishkas congratulated the Deccan NRIs group for their choice and successful program. Guest speaker Syed Jamal-Ullah Qadri, president Urdu Academy Jeddah, said: “Allah Almighty has chosen some particular personalities for community services, every wealthy person is not blessed with this quality.” He expressed his pleasure at the group's choice of Viqaruddin for this award as it's an appreciation and reorganization of his efforts. Siadat Ali Khan, ex-President Khak-e-Taiba Trust also spoke and praised the decision and work done by Deccan NRIs group. He also praised Viqaruddin's efforts in serving the community. Viqaruddin, after accepting the award, said: “I joined community services with the maxim ‘serving mankind is serving God' foremost in my mind. I seek Allah Almighty's kindness to continue my work, which was guided by my mother. I lost my mother and my 5 years old daughter in 2006 and 2007 and these tragedies brought about a big change in my life and I have decided to dedicate my life to community services. I may have lost my mother's prayers in my life but I have tried to replace those blanks with needy people's supplications.” Viqaruddin said his journey of serving the community started with Khak-e-Taiba Trust and then towards other organizations while stating that he has his own “TwinCities Youth Welfare Association” where he works as a social worker. He thanked Deccan NRIs group for choosing him for this award. Mishkas presented him a shield and memento on behalf of Deccan NRIs group. The program concluded with couplets from famous poet Naeem Bazidpuri. Earlier, the program started with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur'an by Qari Muhammad Noor, which was followed by Naat presentation by Sufi Subhan Qadri and Muhammad Ameenuddin Ansari.
