Amity Conference and Qatar National Day Celebrations
Doha: Dr. Ibrahim Saleh Al Naimi Chairman of Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue inaugurated on Friday the Amity Conference and Qatar National Day Celebrations conducted by Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue in collaboration with Indian Community at Al Ahli Club. In his inaugural speech, Dr. Al Naimi lauded the important role of Indian community in Qatar contributing to the nation. He expressed his thanks and appreciation for CIC joining their hands together with the citizens celebrating Qatar National Day. Dr. Al-Neimi, also released the Amity Charter prepared by CIC by handing over the same to the Indian Community Leaders. Hamad Mohammed Al Zakeeba Al Marri Director of Publication at the Ministry of Culture and Sports who attended the conference expressed his pleasure for being a part of the friendship conference.
Welcoming the houseful gathering of Indian community at Al Ahli Club Indoor Stadium, Mr.Abdurahman Ahmed,Chairman of the organizing committee expressed the appreciation and gratitude of Indian community to their hosting nation, State of Qatar under the wise leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. He also expressed his appreciation towards DICID for facilitating the conference which was the conclusion of a month long campaign of friendship conducted by CIC among the Indian community. He also thanked Al Ahli Club for their cooperation for organizing the conference at their premises.
CIC President Abdullatheef KC who chaired the conference said that the conference was a conclusion of the friendship campaign and an expression of appreciation and gratitude of Indian community to the hosting nation of Qatar. “Every year, national day celebrations have a theme depicting the noble ideals of the nation. This year’s theme “Qatar will remain free” was inspired by the words of the founder of the nation. Members of Indian community, as residents of this great country are proud to contribute to the achievements and development of Qatar in different aspects”, he said.
Addressing the audience, Arif Ali T General Secretary of Human Welfare Foundation Delhi said that irrespective of religion and community one should know to respect each other and interact with amity and harmony. “This gathering gives us a unique energy of diversity and a nostalgic feeling and allegiance and loyalty to the nation. It is a coincidence with an occasion of added friendship and sweetness of Qatar National Day celebrations after we had joined hands together regardless of any religious or sectarian differences amid the devastating floods in Kerala. During the floods, Keralites showed their amity, fraternity and unity in diversity”, he added. “Temples, mosques and churches opened their doors for receiving the people who were affected by the floods and people from all walks of life joined together to help each other”, he said. He lauded the efforts and aid extended by the State of Qatar and the Indian expatriates towards the rescue and rehabilitation efforts. He also urged the people to support for harmony, peaceful coexistence, tolerance, dialogue and mutual respect of each other even after the floods. There should be a culture of dialogue and healthy discussions even through the social media to encourage the peaceful coexistence among the Indian society, Arif Ali said. He also urged for a balanced and environment-friendly development without affecting the natural habitat.
P Surendran, writer and activist from Kerala addressed the audience with his powerful dialogues on friendship. “I feel the essence of harmony and closeness in the symbol represented in the national flag of Qatar. It shows crossed fingers depicting them”, Surendran said. Expressing his happiness towards the Indian expatriates, he said: “when a man becomes an expatriate he learns a lot of goodness that will be highlighted in his face”. He also explained the heritage of harmony and amity among the leaders of modern India like Mahatma Gandhi and Dr.Ambedkar.
Leaders of different organizations of Indian community like KMCC, INCAS, Samskrithi, QIIC& Cultural Forum were present at the occasion and received mementos from the dignitaries. An oath was taken during the conference to mark the spirit of friendship by all those who attended the conference and the ceremony was led by Husain Kadannamanna. Followed by the inaugural session, there was a prize distribution program for the winners of the WhatsApp competition on “friendship” in which more than 2000 had participated. Abdul Wahed read out the winners and RJs of Radio Malayalam Jubin and Neenu coordinated the session which also included the prize distribution for the winners of a Selfie competition conducted during the campaign. Office bearers of CIC, Women India, Youth Forum and FCC gave away the prizes to the winners. To enthrall the audience, many cultural events like songs, children dances and skit were staged. Children were the core and attractive part of the cultural events.