Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — The Indian community in Jeddah paid glowing tributes to the towering Indian leader and veteran parliamentarian the late Ebrahim Sulaiman Sait on the occasion of the grand Gulf launching of his biography. Mohammed Noor Rahman Sheikh, consul general of India, launched the second part of Sait’s biography titled “Sulaiman Sait Orindian Veeragadha” (Sulaiman Sait: A heroic Indian saga), by giving a copy to Alungal Mohammed, president of Abeer Medical Group.

The 660-page book, a voluminous historic document on Indian minorities with Sait as the central figure, was authored by Journalist Hassan Cheruppa of Saudi Gazette. Khaled Almaeena, the doyen of English media in the Gulf, was the guest of honor, and Mohammed Shahid Alam, deputy consul general and Haj consul, was one of the speakers at the function presided over by V.P Mohammed Ali, chairman of Jeddah National Hospital.

A galaxy of distinguished Saudi and Indian dignitaries addressed the elite audience that included leaders of dozens of Indian organizations based in Jeddah at the packed auditorium of Seasons Restaurant. The guests included L. Ramnarayan Iyer, executive editor of Saudi Gazette, Siraj Wahab, managing editor of Arab News, Zaid Abdullah, deputy director general of Union of News Agencies of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC UNA), Hazem Abdu, editor of OIC UNA, Salahuddeen Madani, secretary of Kerala Nadwatul Mujahideen, T.M.A Rauf, and Salah Karadan. Hassan Cheruppa presented the book while Chairman of the Organizing Committee Dr. Ismail Maritheri of King Abdulaziz University welcomed the gathering and anchored the event.

Addressing the gathering, Consul General Sheikh, the chief guest, recalled the outstanding contributions of Sulaiman Sait to the Indian community, especially minorities, after preferring to stay back in India at the time of partition to serve the nation and its people. He hoped that Sait’s biography would help boost the concept of Indianness as it highlights the struggle waged by Sait for the betterment of the underprivileged and downtrodden segments of the Indian society as well as to safeguard their rights guaranteed by the constitution.

In his keynote speech, Almaeena noted that Sulaiman Sait was an embodiment of a true man whose struggle was for safeguarding the legitimate rights of the weaker sections, especially Muslims. “I am privileged to meet Sait in whom I had seen a desire to uplift the downtrodden and weaker sections of the society,” he said.

Paying tribute to Sait, Shahid Alam highlighted that the book is not only the biography of a great leader but also a yeoman effort to preserve the history of our great nation. He observed that Sait was a pious politician who devoted his whole life to serve selflessly the people of India. In his inspiring speech, Ramnarayan Iyer said Sait was a man of peace and a politician with a difference. “Sait emphasized on giving preference to personal relationships and values over materialistic considerations and was an epitome of this,” he said while urging the attendees to follow the footprints of role models and great leaders like Sait who can still shape their future.

In his impressive address, Siraj Wahab described Sait as a pious leader who spoke straight from his heart and never sold the interests of his community. Highlighting the contributions of Sait in protecting the identity of India and its synthetic composite culture and secular fabric, he underscored the need to learn lessons from Sait, an irreplaceable leader, to chart the course of future.

On his part, Alungal said Sait was a role model for Indian politicians, especially for the minorities while Mohammed Ali said Sait was a champion of the true causes of the minorities and the weaker sections. In his speech, Rauf drew attention to his 3-decade long intimate association with Sait, saying this book will remain fireproof, spreading the fragrance of Sait around the world. The speakers suggested translation of the book into English, Arabic and Indian languages.

Hassan Siddeeque Babu, chairman of Malappuram KMCC, inaugurated the sale of the book by giving a copy to Rahim Pattarkadavu of Zahrani Group. A documentary titled “The legacy of a legendary leader,” produced by Forum for Innovative Thoughts (FIT) Jeddah and presented by Sadiqali Thuvvur captivated the audience. Ishaque Poondoli proposed the vote of thanks.

Earlier, a discussion session was held under the chairmanship of MusthafaVakkaloor. Salahuddeen Madani inaugurated the session. The speakers at the session included Arimbra Aboobakar, general secretary of the Jeddah central committee of Kerala Muslim Cultural Center, Gopi Nedungadi, president of Sameeksha Literary Forum, V.K.A Rauf, patron of Navodaya Cultural Forum, Journalist and writer KU Iqbal, P. Shamsuddeen, bureau chief of Gulf Madhyamamam, KTA Muneer, president of the western region of Overseas Indian Cultural Congress, CK Muhammad Najeeb, former president of the Saudi chapter of Thanima Cultural Forum, Naser Chavakkad, president of Jeddah Islamic Dawa Council, Noushad Chirayinkeezhu of Indian Social Forum, Ubaidullah Thangal, president of the Saudi chapter of Islamic Center, Rahim of New Age India, Abdurahman Kalambrattil of Indian Muslim Cultural Center, and Kabeer Kondotty, treasurer of the organizing committee.

A.M. Abdullahkutty, convener of the organizing committee, welcomed the gathering in the session that began with recitation of a few verses from the Holy Qur’an by Abdul Ghafoor Pungadan. The organizers of the event included Ashraf Pattathil, Ibrahim Shamnad, APA Ghafour, Abdurahim Cheruppa and Mansoor Wandoor.