Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — New Delhi-based India Islamic Cultural Center (IICC) is all set to establish its Saudi Chapter in Riyadh.
A number of notable Indian expatriates gathered at a pre-launch session cum Iftar/dinner hosted by the working committee of the IICC Saudi Arabia here recently. The effort to establish the Saudi chapter of the IICC gained momentum when Sirajuddin Qureshi, president of the renowned institution, visited Saudi Arabia in April. Finally, in June the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees of the IICC granted permission to a group of Jamia Millia alumni in the Kingdom to establish its Saudi chapter in Riyadh. A 10-member ad hoc working committee has been constituted by prominent community members to represent the IICC in the Kingdom. Murshid Kamal, member of the IICC working committee, said the main objective of establishing the Saudi chapter is to expand the base of IICC and initiate its membership drive in the Kingdom. The IICC will also work closely with local community leaders in India, especially in Patna and Lucknow, to establish the center's regional chapters, he said. Murshid said a grand inaugural session has been planned for October in Riyadh in which ministers and political leaders of different parties will be invited. He also proposed expansion of the IICC's area of activities, which includes establishment of educational institutions and health care services. Tarique Masood, an Indian businessman and a life member of the IICC, stressed the need for increasing the NRI membership of the center. He urged Indian businessmen and professionals in the Kingdom to support the initiative taken by the IICC working committee by volunteering themselves for the cause of establishment IICC regional centers. Masood also suggested improvement in the services and facilities of the IICC, especially for NRIs who visit Delhi for holiday or on business trips. Mohammed Zaigham Khan, life member of IICC, welcomed the decision to set up the IICC's Riyadh chapter and assured his full support to the center's activities. Firoz Rahman, another social activist and a businessman from the Indian state of Bihar, offered all possible support for the acquisition of land in Patna for the construction of the IICC chapter's office there. Kaunain Shahdi, top business executive, praised the secular character of the center and said that despite having its roots in Islamic civilization the IICC prides itself in symbolizing the cause of national integration.
