RIYADH — The Indian community here paid rich tribute to senior Non Resident Indian the Late Abdul Aziz Shamim Khan, former chairman of Deccan Cultural Association, at a condolence meeting held at the paradise hall recently. Shamim Khan 59 died on July 5 at a private hospital after a long battle with illness just before Eid ul Fitr triggering massive grief across a cross-section of the Indian community in Riyadh. Many of his close associates were on vacation and unable to attend the last rites. Shamim Khan was a senior manager with Arab National Bank, one of the leading banks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He did his graduation from Hyderabad's famous Anwar Ul Uloom College. He was in the Kingdom for around 30 years. He was the Chairman of Deccan Cultural Association, which has been actively involved in conducting several socio-cultural events that included invitation of various celebrities from the South Asian subcontinent. Besides being a very popular community member, he was always available to help the poor and needy. Shamim belonged to a very well-known Hyderabadi family with his (late) father being a Registrar of Cooperative Societies. Shamim is survived by his wife and four children —Ms. Maria Khan, Reema Khan, Saad Khan and Hanaa Khan. Three of these children have completed their graduation from famous universities of the United States while Hanaa is in grade 10th at Abdulaziz International School, Riyadh. Maria is married and settled in Denver with her husband Aamer Trambu while Saad is married and settled in San Francisco. He is working in a Multi-National Company in San Francisco as an MIS Specialist. Ms. Reema is working in JP Morgan Chase Bank in Dallas as Business Analyst. Shamim Khan's exemplary services to Indian community spread over three decades. Last December the Indian community organized a glittering function in honor of his services and a memento was presented to Shamim Khan. Dr. Hifzur Rahman, second secretary, Embassy of India said, in his presidential address, "The best tribute to Shamim Khan is that all of us should follow his characteristics, thoughts and attributes. He was a great personality of Riyadh and the vacuum left by him would be very difficult to fill. I pray to Allah SWT to grant him the highest place in Jannah and patience to the family for great loss." The Indian diplomat said he met Shamim for the first time in 2002. Alwin, manager ANB, said Shamim was always helpful and guided him in International contracting business. Shahid Siddqui, senior banker ANB, too paid rich tribute and said, "We were very near for last two decades and expressed his deep sorrow over the death of Shamim Khan and extended his heartfelt sorrow to the bereaved family." He praised his services to the bank and the untiring social services toward the Indian community. Architect Abdul Rahman Saleem, president, Hindustani Bazme Urdu, provided a pictorial tribute to the late Shamim Khan and highlighted his services in a detailed PowerPoint presentation on various aspects of his life. Saleem said in his presentation that Shamim had always mentioned that people remember us when we do good deeds or bad deeds. Then why not to be remembered for good deeds, we should be thankful to Allah SWT if He chooses us for any good deed. Childhood friend Mir Firasat Ali Khusro to remembered his late friend by reciting a poetry in his memory. Shamim Khan's son Saad also spoke on this occasion and thanked all his friends who helped during his father's illness. The organizing committee of the condolence meeting was headed by Abdul Rahman Saleem, President Hindustani Bazme Urdu, Abdul Hameed, Immediate past President, Bazme Urdu Toastmaster Club BUTMCR, Shahid Siddqui, senior manager, ANB, Taqiuddin Mir, president, (BUTMCR) and Mohammed Farooqui Shabaz, general secretary, Bazme Ittehad, Riyadh. The other associations who attended the meeting are Tanzeem Hum Hindustani (THH), Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Alumni (AMOUBA), Non Resident Indian Forum (NRIF), Bihar Anjuman, Hira Foundation, Bazme Ittehad Riyadh (BIR), Jamia Millia Islamia (JAMIA), Osmania University Alumni Association Riyadh (OUAAR), Deccan Cultural Association (DCA), Ideals, All India United Society (AIUS), Golden Telangana Welfare Association (GTWA). Prominent Indian members of the Indian Community, spoke on their association with Shamim Khan. Tariq Masood, Suhail Ahmad, president AMOUBA, Akthar Ul Islam, Bihar Anjuman, Dr. Misbah Alarafin, president AIRS, Ghazal Mahdi, JAMIA, Syed Mozzam Ali, chief patron, Golden Telangana Welfare Association, GTWA, Mirza Majeed Baig Naveed, Deccan Cultural Association, Salim Zubaidi, Hira Foundation all spoke at length. Hafiz Khaja Aleemuddin recited verses of Holy Qur'an at the beginning. Taqiuddin Mir conducted the proceedings. Mohammed Shabaz Farooqui proposed the vote of thanks. A large number of Indians attended this condolence meeting.
