E.T. Muhammad Basheer, member of parliament and national secretary of Indian Union Muslim League, receives the check from Ahmad Palayat at a recent function held in Jeddah. —Courtesy photo Hassan Cheruppa Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH – The Jeddah Central Committee of Kerala Muslim Cultural Center (KMCC) will build 10 houses for the riot victims of Muzaffarnagar in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. This will be part of the housing project being implemented by the Indian Union Muslim League under its ambitious scheme of Baitul Rahma (house of mercy), according to E.T. Muhammad Basheer, national secretary of Indian Union Muslim League. Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Basheer, who is in charge of the Baitul Rahma scheme in Muzaffarnagar, said that the party plans to establish a model village in the riot-hit region. “Works are progressing well to complete the project within six months. As many as 74 houses are being built on a total area of two acres of land plus a model school and other infrastructure facilities,” he said, adding, that the houses will be allotted to the most deserving riot victims. “This will be a shelter for those who are displaced in the riot irrespective of their religion. We have bought the land and the foundation works have almost been finished.” Khuram Omar, national secretary of Muslim League and Abdul Lateef Ramanattukara are actively involved in the supervision of the project. There will also be a model school costing Rs. one million at the village. “We give top priority to this in view of the fact that there are no schools in the neighborhood and most children do not have access to basic education in the area. The local people, including the village chiefs, are fully cooperating with the project. We have also started renovation of a pond in the neighborhood with the supervision of Engineer Salim from Kerala.” Basheer said that the riot victims would be provided with a safe and secure environment to live in the village. “There are large numbers of victims who are languishing in refugee camps. Those who fled the area will be brought back after ensuring them safe environment and feeling of security,” he said, adding, that the party did not receive any government support for the project. According to Basheer, Muslim League is also implementing an educational complex in riot-hit areas of Assam. “Darul Huda complex of Chemmad is undertaking the project named after Shihab Thangal and for which Muslim League has donated Rs. five million.” The leaders of Jeddah KMCC handed a check for an amount of Rs. 1 million as the first instalment for the Muzaffarnagar housing scheme. Basheer received the check from Ahmad Palayat, president of Jeddah KMCC, at a recent function held in Jeddah. Basheer praised the Jeddah KMCC for their humanitarian activities. He also commended the selfless volunteer service rendered by KMCC workers for the Haj pilgrims. KMCC, the largest Keralite expatriate organization in the Gulf, is the overseas affiliate of Muslim League. KMCC leaders including K.P Muhammadkutty, president of Saudi national committee, Aboobacker Arimbra, general secretary of Jeddah chapter, Anwar Cherankai, K.V.A Ghafour, Payeri Kunhimuhammad, P.M.A Jaleel, Nissam Mambad, Sahal Thangal, Shakir C.K, Majeed Pukayoor, P.V. Hassan Siddeeq Babu, and Ismail Mundakkulam also attended the meeting. Arimbra told Saudi Gazette that the Jeddah committee is implementing 51 houses under Baitul Rahma for the poor people in different parts of Kerala. “We have given priority to the Gulf returnees who do not have a house while allotting the houses, each of which costs around Rs. 700,000,” he said.
