JEDDAH — Indian Consul General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai was accorded a warm send-off here at a glittering ceremony organized by Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Alumni — Jeddah chapter, on the weekend. Kidwai, himself an alumnus of the famous university in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, is leaving the Kingdom post completion of his tenure here. Speakers at the function passionately lauded Kidwai's meticulous handling of the numerous problems faced by the Indian diaspora here especially during the amnesty granted by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for rectification of the status of all illegal foreigners in the Kingdom. The event was marked by presentation of mementos, a session specially devoted to “experiences of Aligarh” and donning skull caps by all speakers (on the persistent demand of the audience), reviving the age-old traditions of the university. The highlight of the evening was a rose petal shower on the guests sitting on the stage by young children from behind the stage. The consul general and other senior Aligarians were visibly overwhelmed by this show of appreciation and affection. Aqeel Jamil, AMUA secretary, said the rose petal shower was a revival of a tradition followed at Student Union Hall in the university in honoring dignitaries and specially those conferred with life membership of the union. “Today, AMUA (Jeddah) has conferred its life membership on you,” he said. Jamil also enumerated the many achievements of Kidwai for the welfare of the Indian community during the Nitaqat campaign including arrangement of thousands of exit passes for stranded Indians, organizing job fairs for the benefit of the community, facilitating the release of several Indian nationals from Saudi prisons and smooth and orderly arrangements for the Indian Haj and Umrah pilgrims. Farzan Rizvi, AMUA president, also shed light on other services of Kidwai for the community. Kidwai, he said, was instrumental in the the donation drive for Sir Syed Day. The donation thus collected will be utilized in initiating smart classes in AMU, he said. Kidwai thanked Aligarians for showing their love and affection. He praised AMUA–Jeddah for its constructive work in uniting the Indian community. A large number of senior Aligarians, distinguished community members and other consulate officials attended the function. Azizur Rab proposed the vote of thanks at the ceremony anchored by Jamil and Furqan Siddiqui.
