Saudi Gazette report
JEDDAH – The Saudi National Committee of Islamic Cultural Foundation of India (ICF) recently organized seminars and other activities in as many as 25 cities and towns across the Kingdom to mark the Independence Day celebrations of India. The functions were held under the title of ‘Save the Nation Gatherings.”
Addressing the seminar held in Jeddah on the occasion, Gopi Nedungadi, president of Sameeksha Literary Forum, called for all peace-loving people of India to strive to safeguard the rich values of the world’s largest democracy. “Unity in diversity is the beauty of the pluralist India, which gave birth to four religions besides embracing whole-heartedly four foreign religions. Since centuries, all these religions have contributed immensely to fostering the values of tolerance, infinite reciprocal respect, and peaceful coexistence,” he said while calling for joint efforts to protect these ideals and enable all citizens to enjoy the freedom enshrined in the country’s secular constitution.
Nedungadi also warned against the communal forces who attempt to sow seeds of discord and intolerance among the 1.25 billion people of the country.
Hassan Cheruppa of Saudi Gazette inaugurated the seminar in which Basheer Ernakulam, general secretary of the Saudi national committee of ICF, presented a working paper on the theme of the seminar “Independent India: The meaning and the realities”. Abdurahman Madahiri was the moderator.
The speakers included noted short story writer and author Abu Iringattiri, Sharafudheen (Overseas Indian Cultural Congress), Shakir C.K. (Kerala Muslim Cultural Center), Majeed Parambil (Navodaya Cultural Forum), Mujeeb A.R. Nagar (ICF), and Naseemuddeen (Risala Study Circle).
The speakers emphasized the need for joining of secular forces in order to safeguard the fundamental principles of the Indian constitution as well as to fight intolerance and defeat threats posed to the secular fabric of the nation.
Earlier, Sayyid Habeeb Al-Bukhari led the prayer ceremony and Basheer Paravoor welcomed the gathering while Muhammad Saqafi Ugrapuram proposed a vote of thanks.
