From left: Shafi Aslam, Dr. Aman Aslam, Mohammed Zaheeruddin, Shameem Kausar, Dr. Sayed Ali Mahmood, Mahmood Ali, Syed Jamal Qadri, Aijaz Ahmed Khan, Khalid Quadeer, Syed Khaja Viqaruddin. — SG photo by Abdul Rahman M. Baig JEDDAH — In the memory of late prominent Indian community member Sharif Aslam, a Jalsa-E-Taaziat was organized by community organizations in a local restaurant here recently. The program was organized by Bazm-e-Ittihad Jeddah, Khake Taiba trust and Twin Cities Youth Welfare Association in coordination with Urdu Academy Jeddah, Noor Education society, Urdu Gulban, Telangana NRI Forum and Deccan NRI Group . A huge gathering of Indian community gathered and paid rich tribute to Aslam. The event was attended by many prominent members and heads of different organizations of Indian community. Remembering Aslam, Mehtab Qadr, president Urdu Gulban, said: "Sharif Aslam was a great human being with an art of living." Jamal Qadri, president Urdu Academy Jeddah, addressed the gathering in a very interesting manner. He narrated some of Aslam's favorite couplets which were well liked by the audience. Qadri said: "There is no alternate of Sharif Aslam as the vacuum created by his sad demise will remain vacant and we will always miss him”. KTT member Azmat Imran conveyed a message on behalf of KTT Chief advisor Aleem Khan Falaki, who could not attend the program. Aijaz Ahmed khan, Trustee KTT, said: “He is my inspiration to involve me actively in community. Not only Hyderabadi community, he was also popular in other Indo - Pak communities also. I am very sad by his sad demise and it's a great loss indeed”. Mohd Ishraq, a black belt holder at Star Karate Club, also shared his views on Aslam's humanitarian and social activities. Aslam's sons Dr. Aman Aslam and Shafi Aslam addressed the gathering and thanked community members for their support in their grief time. Aslam's younger brother Mahmood Ali shared his views on his brother's life and requested all for their prayers. Khalid Quadeer, president Deccan NRI Group, said: "Sharif Aslam was a great human being and we want to convey our deep condolence to his family and community. We will always miss his guidance in our organization." Engineer Sayeeduddin, president IEF, said: "Sharif Aslam was well liked person in our community and the lesson he taught us in his life was, 'smile is a best gift we can give to each other, it's like a charity.'" He added: "Aslam was always smiling and tried to spread the smile on the face of everyone. We pray for his success in Akhira." Syed Zaheeruddin, chairman Noor education society, briefly shed light on the importance of month of Rabiul Awal and showed condolence on behalf of his organization to Aslam's family. Hassan Bayazid, advisor, Bazme-Ittehad Jeddah said: "Apart from his great sense of humor, Sharif Aslam was a great human being. He was perfect father, a good husband and a great social worker." He added: "He was never seen backbiting about other nor he use to listen anything bad about other. He simply used to change the topic with his humor if someone would start backbiting." Shameem Kausar, KTT Trustee, said: "Sharif Aslam was a noble person as I found him very dedicated towards community. I don't have enough words to describe my feeling about him but I would like to request everyone here to pray for him whenever you visit Makkah and Madina. Syed Shujauddin KTT member who seems to be his colleague also during his work in Toyota also shared his views. Dr. Syed Ali Mahmoud, chief patron, Bazme-Ittehad Jeddah, shed the light on Aslam's different aspects of life. He said: "We cannot forget the long period of 35 years which we spend with him. Aslam was innocent person who did not involve himself in any bad habits. He was a person with great moral value. He added: "We have learned several things from him; he gave a reorganization to Hyderabadi community in multicultural atmosphere of Saudi Arabia." Dr. Mahmoud made a collective supplication at the end of his speech for Sharif Aslam. KTT Trustee Syed Khaja Viqaruddin and Bazm-e-Ittehad also spoke on the occasion. Yousufuddin Amjad anchored the program, which started with a recitation of a few verses from the Qur'an by Muhammad Abbas Khan followed by a Naat by Syed Khaled Madani. Vote of thanks was proposed by Razzaq Mohiuddin, vice president Twin Cities Youth Welfare Association. – SG
