Syed Mussarat Khalil

Saudi Gazette



JEDDAH — Akbaruddin Owaisi, an Indian politician based in Hyderabad, Telangana, and the floor leader of All India Majlis-e-Ittihad Al-Muslimin (AIMIM) in Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, was honored by Bazm-e-Ittihad Jeddah at Laiyali Noor Hall here on Saturday.



President of Bazm-e-Ittihad Ahmad Uddin Owaisi presided over the function. Leading Indian community members, including representatives of leading NRI organizations, were guests at the function. Former commissioner of Makkah Yaseen Al-Bar, businessmen Abdullah Bin Mahfouz and Osman Yeslam Bin Mahfouz, Kauser Mohiuddin, Noor Akbar Owaisi, editor of Etamaad daily Aziz Ahmad, members and officials of Bazm-e-Ittihad also attended.



Mohammed Obaid-ur-Rehman, vice president of Bazm-e-Ittihad, welcomed the guests and thanked Owaisi for accepting the  invitation. He congratulated him on winning the current state election. He praised his services to Indian Muslims, particularly the Hyderabadi community.



Professor Wazir Akhtar commended the extraordinary services of Owaisi for Indian Muslims. He said: “It would be an injustice if we believed Owaisi is only a leader of Hyderabad; he is a leader of all Indians.”



Owaisi expressed his happiness to see such a large number of people coming to greet him. He thanked Bazm-e-Ittihad and all participants for this gesture.



In an emotional and eloquent speech, Owaisi said that it was time for Indian Muslims to unite for justice.



"We should forget all differences. We can only make changes and achieve progress when we are united,” Owaisi said.



He briefly described his party's vision, mission and politics. He said AIMIM sowed the idea for Indian Muslim representation in Parliament some 60 years ago. It is now working hard to make the Muslim voice heard in Parliament.



He said: “We are a population of 250 million, but we are not united.  If we unite then we can solve our economic and social problems."



He stressed that education is important to face challenges.



He appealed to community members to take part in charity work, especially during Ramadan. “The  NRIs can help eradicate  poverty by giving their Zakat to the poor and needy people.”

 

He received a memento from Al-Bar, flowers and shields from a number of community organizations.



The function began with the recitation of Qur'an by Qari Hafiz Abdul Salam, which was followed by a Naat from Ameen Uddin Ansari. Mohammed Abdul Qayum, general secretary of Bazm, conducted the proceedings.