Riyadh (KSA) June 20: International Journalists Fraternity Forum (IJFF) organized the first NRI Conclave under the theme “India’s Diversity a Strategic Asset”, in which guests & speakers included renowned personalities such as Zafar Sareshwala, former chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University, and founder of Taleem-o-Tarbiyat – Educational Initiative for the Underprivileged. Malek Raees Ahmed, Director of Anjam Group KSA, who is a key member and speaker at multiple Power and Energy platforms for Renewable Energy, Shaikh Mohammad Rahmani, President of Abul Kalam Azad Islamic Awakening Center, and Chancellor Jamia Islamia Sanabil University, Delhi.
NRI Conclave begins with the recitation of Quran done by Mr. Manzoor Qasmi Executive Member of the forum, whereas General Secretary Rashid ul Hassan briefed about the aims & objectives of the forum. IJFF’s KSA President Dr Ashraf Ali, a prominent businessman, in his welcome address emphasised the importance of being a responsible Indian citizen living in Saudi Arabia. He stressed the need to never tarnish the image of the country and to always represent India in a positive light. The IJFF is a non-profit organization that aims to promote ethical journalism, media literacy, and freedom of expression. It provides a platform for journalists from different parts of the world to share their experiences, exchange ideas, and collaborate on issues of common interest.
The “India’s Diversity a Strategic Asset” event was a part of the IJFF’s ongoing efforts to promote cultural understanding and cooperation among journalists, academics, and experts from various fields. The event provided a unique opportunity for participants to learn from each other, share their perspectives, and build lasting partnerships. The event organized at the Red Onion Restaurant Banquet Hall, Olaya, Riyadh, was attended by more than 100 prominent community members and Saudi nationals. The event aimed to showcase India’s progress and achievements while addressing any concerns and misconceptions among the attendees.
Guest of Honour Malek Raees Ahmad expressed his belief in the huge potential of India. He mentioned that he had spoken to the HRD Minister of India about the possibility of having an exchange program between India and Saudi Arabia. He emphasised that the Gulf countries are interested in India because of the enormous potential it holds. Islamic scholar Shaikh Rahmani said that collaboration and coexistence with non-Muslims is essential, and both parties must ensure each other’s rights. He emphasised that it is a basic Islamic principle to honour every single human being, including non-Muslims, and that the rights of non-Muslims should be talked about more often, which is, unfortunately, being ignored. Shaikh Rahmani suggested that Indian Muslims should take Moulana Abul Kalam Azad as their role model, who was the first education minister of India and founded premier institutes like IIT. He urged Indian Muslims to focus on empowering women’s education for the betterment of their worldly and religious lifestyle. Shaykh Rahmani also highlighted the importance of patience and perseverance in dealing with issues faced by the Muslim community. He emphasized that Muslims in the past had won situations by establishing dialogue, dealing with critical issues wisely, and following a sane system. He also said that it is the responsibility of Imams of mosques to guide Muslims to have patience and deal with issues wisely.
Zafar Sareshwala said that there is a significant section of Hindus who wish for the progress and success of Muslims. He emphasised that nobody has stopped Muslims from appearing in the UPSC exams, and they have the freedom to pursue their career aspirations. Sareshwala stressed that when it comes to addressing issues faced by Muslims, including political empowerment and security, it is important to prioritize what needs to be addressed first. The panelists stressed the need for ethical and responsible journalism that promotes mutual respect, empathy, and dialogue. They discussed how India’s diversity has always been its strength, and how it has helped the country to overcome challenges, builds resilience, and promotes innovation. They also highlighted how India’s cultural diversity can be leveraged to promote economic growth, social harmony, and global peace.
The first session was hosted by Overseas Ruby News Correspondent Abdul Nayeem Qayyum whereas female journalist, Shahzeen Eram hosted the Panel Discussion in which the Panelists had given the satisfied answers of the question asked by the participants.
