JEDDAH — “It is the need of the hour to join hands to resist fascism and save democracy by preventing undermining of the tenets of democracy,” said, Eng. Muhammed Saifuddin Sami. He was delivering a speech at the program organized by Indian Social Forum Jeddah. The one monthlong campaign “Resist Fascism, Save Democracy” launched by the forum will cover the whole of western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As the president of NRI Forum, Karnataka, he assured his wholehearted support to all the efforts of Indian Social Forum to create awareness about fascism and to resist the ideology and to support the needy among the Indian community as part of its social welfare activities. Delivering the keynote address, Sakkeer Husain Edavanna (regional secretary of OICC, Western Region) emphasized the inevitability to uniting of all the secular and democratic forces against fascist outfits in the upcoming Karnataka elections. He reiterated the necessity to set up strong, combined resistance against fascist forces. He elaborated that the contribution of the Congress party leaders had shaped the freedom struggle with peaceful agitation following the principles of self-reliance and nonviolence. He pointed out that it was the weakening of the Congress party that prepared the environment for the rise of the fascist elements in the country that has led to the ruthless massacre of democratic principles. Mr. Ashraf Morayur (president, central committee, ISF Jeddah) presided over the function. With statistical data, Ashraf explained that the fascists elements have virtually forced the country toward a grave situation, threatening its very existence as secular democracy. Rampant corruption and degeneration of political parties have further contributed to the dreadful situation of the country and the threats posed by the fascists are challenging the legislature executive as well as judiciary. “The freedom we enjoy today is due to the sacrifice of our forefathers, but the fascists want to limit this freedom to the members of privileged class. Attempts to overturn the secular credentials of the constitution and principles of democracy are of great concern to the entire citizens of the nation,” he said. Also attending the occasion were Iqbal Chemban (secretary, India Fraternity Forum), Mujahid Pasha (president, Indian Social Forum North Indian States), Mahboob Shareef (India Fraternity Forum, Tamil Nadu), Shahul Hameed (president, Indian Social Forum, Kerala state), Sayed Ali Kolkata (India Fraternity Forum, North states), Ismail Kalladkka (president, Indian Social Forum Karnataka state), and all assured their cooperation and support for the campaign, Resist Fascism, Save Democracy. Mohammed Shareef PT (general secretary, central committee, Indian Social Forum, Jeddah) welcomed the guests and the gathering, whereas EM Abdulla (vice president, central committee, Indian Social Forum) proposed the vote of thanks. United Artists Jeddah, staged the satirical drama, “Kya Yahee Hein Acha Din?” conveying the current situation of the country, which was well appreciated by the entire gathering that watched the drama. — SG