Consul General Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri praises volunteers for their selfless service to Indian pilgrims
JEDDAH: The Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys’ Association, Jeddah Chapter (AMUOBA Jeddah), honoured the unsung heroes of Haj 2026 at a special felicitation ceremony, “Taqreeb-e-Tahseen: Khadiman-e-Hujjaj ke Naam,” recognising the dedication and selfless service of community volunteers who assisted Indian pilgrims during the Haj season.
The evening brought together the Consul General of India in Jeddah, senior Consulate officials, community leaders, Aligs, volunteers and distinguished guests to celebrate the spirit of service that played a vital role in supporting thousands of Indian pilgrims.
A tribute to the spirit of service
Welcoming the Chief Guest and other dignitaries, AMUOBA Jeddah President Dr. Prince Mufti Ziaul Hasan said serving the Hujjaj-e-Kiram was both a privilege and a sacred responsibility.
He emphasised that an operation as vast as Haj could not succeed through administrative planning alone. Volunteers, he said, serve as the crucial human bridge between institutions and pilgrims, offering compassion, guidance, reassurance and practical assistance, often while working under physically and emotionally demanding circumstances.
He noted that many pilgrims are elderly, unwell, exhausted, and unfamiliar with their surroundings or separated from their groups and belongings. In such moments, a volunteer becomes much more than a guide—he becomes a source of reassurance, dignity and hope.
Dr. Prince Zia congratulated the entire Indian Haj Mission, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the Haj Committee of India, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah and all officials and staff members for their tireless efforts. He also expressed special appreciation for the volunteers who served pilgrims quietly and sincerely without expecting recognition or reward.
Indian Community Makkah: A unified platform for volunteers
A significant aspect of this year’s volunteer effort was the work carried out under the umbrella of Indian Community Makkah (ICM), an initiative of Indian Consul General His Excellency Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri aimed at bringing Indian community volunteers together on a coordinated platform.
Special appreciation was expressed for Engr. Fazal Muhammad, who played a key role in organising the volunteer team and deploying volunteers at strategically important and challenging locations.
His understanding of ground realities, coordination skills and timely deployment helped ensure that assistance remained available to pilgrims where it was most needed.
The collective work of ICM demonstrated how effective coordination, community participation and committed volunteers can complement the formal machinery of the Indian Haj Mission and strengthen support for pilgrims during one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings.
Consul General highlights scale of Haj operations
The highlight of the evening was the address by Chief Guest His Excellency Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri, Consul General of India in Jeddah, who spoke about the enormous scale and complexity of India’s Haj operations.
With India’s Haj quota at 175,025 pilgrims, he explained that the mission involved extensive coordination covering accommodation, transportation, healthcare, food, luggage, movement between the holy sites, emergency assistance and the safe return of pilgrims.
The Consul General stressed that the successful conduct of Haj required close cooperation between the Indian Haj Mission, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Haj Committee of India, Saudi authorities, service providers, medical teams, Consulate officials and community volunteers.
He highlighted the remarkable achievement in luggage management, noting that despite handling the baggage of such a large number of pilgrims, only two cases of lost luggage remained. He said the achievement reflected the discipline, sincerity and meticulous attention given to the operation.
The Consul General also praised AMUOBA Jeddah for organising what he described as a significant community initiative to recognise volunteers whose contributions often remain away from the spotlight.
The program was also attended by Md. Jauhar Ali, Vice Consul (Haj), whose presence underscored the close cooperation between the Consulate, the Indian Haj Mission and community volunteers.
Volunteers honoured for silent service
The volunteers who travelled from Makkah were visibly moved by the warm reception extended to them. Certificates and mementos were presented to the volunteers as a token of appreciation for their commitment, endurance and compassionate service to the Guests of Allah. For many, the felicitation was a rare moment of public recognition for work carried out quietly and without expectation of reward.
The program was conducted by Athar Rasool, General Secretary of AMUOBA Jeddah, whose smooth coordination ensured that the proceedings remained dignified, engaging and well organised.
The Consul General was warmly received by former AMUOBA President Nooruddin Khan, Advisor Engr. Aqeel Jamil, senior Aligs and other distinguished members of the Association.
Community leaders join tribute
The event was attended by several prominent community leaders and distinguished guests, including Sardar Masood, Ehtisham Shamsi, Ghazanfar Ali Zaki, Dr. Mirza Qudrat Nawaz Baig, Ghazanfar Mumtaz, Abdul Rahman Baig, Asad Ali, Eng. Kaja Mohideen and Mohammed Laeeq, besides several other respected community representatives. Their presence added significance to an evening dedicated to recognising community service and celebrating the spirit of volunteerism.
Executive Committee plays key role
The successful organisation of the programme was also supported by the active involvement of AMUOBA Jeddah’s Executive Committee.
Emran Siddiqui, Fahad Afridi, Abid Hussain and Adnan Shoeb worked closely on the arrangements, ensuring that guests and volunteers were welcomed with warmth and that the program proceeded smoothly.
Their teamwork, attention to detail and willingness to shoulder responsibilities contributed significantly to the success of the evening.
Special appreciation for supporters
AMUOBA Jeddah expressed particular gratitude to Saad Anwar, whose generous support played an important role in making the program possible. Besides contributing towards the sponsorship and providing the venue, he personally supervised the arrangements and remained involved in ensuring that even the smallest details were properly attended to.
The Association also extended special thanks to Dr. Mohammewd Abdul Saleem for his support, including assistance with dinner arrangements and mementos, while acknowledging the many members and volunteers who worked behind the scenes.
A message of gratitude
Delivering the vote of thanks, Rabnawaz Khan, Vice President of AMUOBA Jeddah, expressed sincere appreciation to the Chief Guest, Consulate officials, Indian Haj Mission, Indian Community Makkah, community leaders, volunteers, sponsors, organisers and everyone whose support contributed to the success of the program.
The evening concluded with dinner and an opportunity for guests, organisers and volunteers to interact in an atmosphere of fellowship and gratitude.
More than a formal felicitation, “Taqreeb-e-Tahseen: Khadiman-e-Hujjaj ke Naam” emerged as a heartfelt tribute to the people who work quietly behind the scenes to make the Haj experience easier and safer for pilgrims.
The ceremony served as a reminder that behind every successful Haj operation are countless individuals whose names may never appear in headlines, but whose service lives on in the prayers and gratitude of the pilgrims they helped.Their service may have been silent, but its impact was profound—and their contribution will long be remembered.
