JEDDAH — Indian community members bade a fond farewell to the ‘consummate’ diplomat Dr. Hifzur Rahman, the first secretary at the Indian Embassy, recently at the Village Restaurant here. He has been named India’s next ambassador to Syria, and will take up the assignment in March.

The event was organized under the aegis of Mohammad Aziz Kidwai and Riaz Mulla with speakers and prominent personalities recalling the yeoman services rendered by Rahman in an anecdotal-filled evening that traced his journey in this region.

The tenor of the evening was wrapped up by the diplomat, who called Jeddah his first love, stating he knew it better than his hometown Azamgarh in India.

“There is no city closer to my heart than Jeddah. Jeddah is my first love. And you never forget your first love. It was here I started my diplomatic career, and it is here I’ve many memorable memories,” said Rahman, who thanked and appreciated the community for this appreciative evening.

Rahman said that he was privileged and lucky to have served under some of the finest diplomats — Syed Akbaruddin (currently India’s permanent representative at the United Nations in New York), Talmiz Ahmed and Dr. Ausaf Sayeed — who in their own imitable way shaped his career.

“The three key things I believe in are transparency, honesty and responsibility, and that I’ve always valued in my career. But with these three facets, I had an additional skill that has helped meet every challenge, and that is Arabic language.

“If you connect with people through their language — here in this region Arabic — then I believe you have won the initial battle,” he said while embellishing this fact with a series of anecdotes.

“My first assignment in Riyadh was from 2007-2011, and on completing my tenure I had applied for a posting to Tehran. I just wanted to see the other aspect...especially after understanding the perception and traditions of people from this side (Sunni block) I wanted to see the other block ... how they worked and viewed issues and people.

Talmiz Saab was the Ambassador then, and when we apply for a posting then it has to be approved by the head of the mission. He told me ‘we’ll change it.’ And I asked ‘why?’ and he replied, “The world is very big, and if you want to learn about the Muslim world, which he changed to Arab world, you need to see the different blocks in the Arab world first... for each one thinks differently, acts differently and has its own traditions,” Rahman said.

“So I asked him where should I apply? He thought for a moment, and said, go to Tunisia, and see a totally new and different world. The country has undergone change through Arab Spring, and you’ll not find such Muslims in India nor in the Gulf countries, just go an see for yourself,” Rahman said of what Talmiz had relayed.

I immediately quipped, “But sir, this is a very challenging post, especially at this time.”

But before I proceed, I’ll relate another point, for at that time I had gotten an offer from Jamia Millia to be the director of the Cultural Center. “It was a very attractive offer, and I was leaning towards taking it. I went to Talmiz saab, and told him about the offer.”

He just looked at me, and deflated me with one quip. “Delhi has offered you the opportunity to see the world, and you want to go back to a corner in Delhi and stay put.”

I understood his direction and I declined the Delhi offer. Then came the time to select a new posting and his choice of Tunisia seemed daunting.

“It was only after going to Tunisia, after meeting people and working with them, that I understood what Talmiz saab meant. I saw many differences in attitude and action by Tunisians and other Muslims.

I learned key lessons that were good for me in career and in life after going there one being was that never assess anybody or their character from afar and it is very important to know them before gauging them.

The second thing I learned was the role of media has changed subtly. Along with its primary task of disseminating news, it is also used to shape ideas.

The third thing I saw and understood was the way the Western countries view developing nations and they facilitated and cultivated those who would be of use to them.

The first impact of these three new understanding was that I stopped reading news. I started meeting people and got their inputs to understand the relevant street views.

“I had the advantage of Arabic language,” he said, while relaying how despite his wife recovering from a serious operation he had to go to Yemen to oversee the evacuation. “I had the advantage of the Arabic language and this came in handy, as the work that had stalled for nearly 2 months was done in days,” he added.

In Tunisia too, just as I was about to complete my tenure, civil war broke out in Libya. Only Tunisia had its port open near Libya border. My connections with leadership was the key in getting us the right to use this port, which had been put off limits to all.

“For two months I was there to assist in evacuations. The connection the Arabic language brought was so immense that when the officers saw our buses coming, they got their men to assist us in every way, even to the extent of allowing us to assist them in formalities to allow for quicker exits.

He relayed that one of his most challenging experience in Saudi Arabia was last year’s Janadriyah, in which India was the guest country. “It was a great test, managing such a huge pavilion. Establish it first, arranging for the companies and the troupes to come. It was our effort from the start to establish cordial links through this festival and also to change the perception of the common people that India is just a labor market.

“With this aim as a mission, we worked hard and we were really successful with our comprehensive display. We are also thankful to the Passport department in dedicating a colonel to take care of the visa processes during this period.

“We used to send him the list in the evening, and by the morning 10 a.m. (Indian time) the visa would be ready for us. They cooperated and worked efficiently.”

The evening was anchored by Danish Abdul Ghafoor, IdeaPodd CEO. He recalled Hifzur Rahman’s many characteristics and virtues and said his expertise and knowledge of the Arab world and his postings in Jeddah, Riyadh and Tunis, have made him an indispensable asset for the Indian Foreign Ministry.

“Our country’s leadership has rightly acknowledged him and his services by posting him as our envoy to a very challenging country at a very interesting time in the history of the region.” said Danish Abdul Ghafoor.

Two media person were called to shed light on Rahman, and both, Saudi Gazette’s L. Ramnarayan Iyer and Arab News’ Siraj Wahab, through their personal anecdotes revealed Rahman as both an accomplished diplomat and a person who held the interest of the country and community close to his heart.

Ramnarayan stressed how Rahman’s people-friendly and media-friendly attitude helped forge excellent relationship between India and Saudi Arabia. Siraj, on his part, deftly painted a picture of a diplomat who through his constant endeavor led a blazing trail to boost Indian culture through Mushairas, which he used as a medium to advance India’s stature. He also was in the forefront of propagating the Urdu language as part of the vibrant nation’s rainbow culture, Siraj added.

Arif Quraishi, president of Indian Cultural Society (ICS), praised Hifzur Rahman’s key role in helping organize many cultural events. “I first met Hifzur Rahman when he was not a ‘doctor’ sometime in 2001, when I was organizing Yaad-e-Rafi concert in memory of the legendary Indian film singer. That is when Hifzur Rahman told me about his liking for Mohammed Rafi. Since then we have remained friends. I wish him all the very best. He has reached many heights in his diplomatic career because of his hard work, dedication and total love for our country.”

Riaz Mulla, general manager of ATEICO Communication, said Rahman played a central role in advancing India’s interests in Saudi Arabia. “I worked closely with him in documenting through publishing many, many interesting cultural and educational events that have taken place in the last 15 years in both Jeddah and Riyadh,” said Mulla.

“It was always a pleasure and a source for great pride to see Hifzur Rahman sitting with our president, our prime minister and top ministers and translating and interpreting their words into Arabic for the Arab leaders, including King Salman. We wish him the very best and we pray for his success to even greater heights,” added Mulla. — SG