Stressing the need for a heart to heart discussion between Saudi nationals and the large expatriate community, Muhammed N. Shoukany, Acting Editor-in-Chief, Saudi Gazette, highlighted the role played by Indian expatriates in the development of the Kingdom. “Indians are a prominent community in our country, who are making an important contribution to the development of the Kingdom,” he said. Shoukany was speaking as chief guest at a meeting of Indian professionals, organized by the Consulate General of India, Jeddah at the weekend. The Indian community is the largest expatriate community in Saudi Arabia, but meaningful dialogue and interaction between them and Saudis are missing, Shoukany noted. While admitting that “Saudis are not always open to other communities,” he observed that the problem cannot be solved overnight. The Saudi-Indian relationship, he said, is centuries old as Indian culture and literature have been well known in the Kingdom from very early times. Appreciating the role played by Indian professionals in the Kingdom through their expertise and experience, Shoukany stressed the need to move from professional contact to social contact so that there might be better understanding between the two communities. “We at the Saudi Gazette are trying to establish this contact,” he said and urged Indian professionals to help increase this cross cultural dialogue. According to him, sports can be one important area where such social-cultural contacts can begin. As Indians are good at playing cricket, they can train Saudi youths in that game. Shoukany said that a friend of his, who is an anthropologist studying Saudi youths and their behavior, concluded that there were striking similarities between Saudis and Indians. Earlier, Indian Consul General Sayeed Ahmad Baba, at whose initiative the meeting was organized, welcomed the guests and said: “The purpose of such gatherings is to give professionals an opportunity to get to know one another.” “The idea behind this function is to allow members of the community to have a chance to interface with the Consulate and at the same time, to provide a platform for them to mingle with fellow Indians from different walks of life. This interaction will encourage the exchange of ideas, thoughts and expertise,” said Baba, who has been credited with taking several such initiatives with the aim of reaching out to serve the large and vibrant Indian community in the Western region of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Gazette Managing Editor Shams Ahsan thanked the Consul General for organizing a gathering of such highly qualified professionals. “It's a rare opportunity and I feel privileged to be here,” he said. The meeting, which was attended by professionals, including women, representing different fields of expertise, produced fruitful interaction and provided opportunities for professional contacts to be made.
