JEDDAH — The President of the Indian Cultural Society Jeddah (ICSJ) Arif Quraishi recently hosted a farewell party at his residence for outgoing ICSJ patron Dr. Dilshad Ahmed Shamsi, who has been with ICSJ and has been serving the community for the last three decades.

“I have been organizing welcome parties and farewells for the past 42 years but this time I am bidding farewell to my beloved patron Dr. Dilshad Ahmed Shamsi, who has been with us for 30 years, with a heavy heart,” Quraishi said.

Quraishi said that Dr. Shamsi is not only an experienced and helpful person but also a loving and friendly man. “Every year, together we have been conducting the Independence Day and Republic Day programs. Other programs we have organized included mushairas, comedy shows, ghazal nites, qawwali, Tamsili Mushaira - Delhi ki Aakhri Shama (Bahadur Shah Zafar) and Deccani Mushaira, among others. Also, Dr. Shamsi was always in the forefront of the old textbooks distribution campaign for the students of the International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ). This particular service of his the Jeddah community and I will never forget,” Quraishi added.

All guests, including Azhar Zai, Danish Abdul Ghafoor, Aziz Kidwai and Zeeshan Khan, were unanimous in their praise for Dr. Shamsi, who they said had been involved in wonderful activities with Quraishi. The distribution of the Indian school’s old textbooks to the needy students was outstanding, they said.

This year the collection and distribution of old textbooks could not be done due to Quraishi’s ill health, causing disappointment among students and parents.

Dr. Haroon Rasheed, former chairman of IISJ managing committee, said Dr. Shamsi honestly served the Indian community. Dr. M.S. Karimuddin, former chairman of IISJ, recalled that Dr. Shamsi worked with him in the hospital 30 years ago as an emergency surgeon, where his work was very impressive. He also recalled his dedication to work and bettered him self with constant education in his field, while continuing to serve his patients.

Ramnarayan Iyer, executive editor of Saudi Gazette, urged Dr. Shamsi to continue his services to the Indian community in India just like he did here in Saudi Arabia with Quraishi, and also work for the Aligarh Muslim University by providing his experience and knowledge to his old Alma Mater.

In his speech, Dr. Shamsi thanked all the “good friends and brothers” that he had come across in Jeddah. “I would like to thank each and everyone of you, especially my good friend Arif Quraishi, with whom I got all the love and affection that I cannot forget. I am happy to work with Quraishi who has been serving the Indian community in Jeddah for the past 42 years. It was truly an honor to be able to attend all these unforgettable programs. I salute Quraishi for his patriotism and his help to the needy students by giving textbooks free of cost,” he said.

“I used to get calls everyday from parents and students asking about the textbooks distribution campaign this year, which could not be conducted because Quraishi was in India for his treatment. I pray to Allah for his complete cure. Ameen,” Dr. Shamsi said.

“The time spent with Quraishi will never be forgotten,” he added. “If I have hurt someone, please forgive me and remember me in your duas, especially when you go to Makkah and Madinah,” he added.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Azhar Zai. The speeches were followed by dinner. The event was attended by many famous personalities of Jeddah.

ICSJ and Bazm-e-Osmania presented a model of Charminar to Dr. Shamsi, who gracefully accepted the gift.

Also, Ramnarayan Iyer was chosen as the new patron of ICSJ and the announcement was warmly welcomed by the ICSJ members. — SG