Report from Sageer Trikarpur, president, KKMA
Pictures: Wilson Saldanha - Daijiworld News Network Kuwait

• Kuwait Kerala Muslim Association (KKMA) holds seminar to commemorate the visionary's achievements

Kuwait, Feb 27: The Kuwait Kerala Muslim Association (KKMA), the largest organization of Indian nationals living in Kuwait held a special seminar, to pay tribute on behalf of the Indian nationals to the people and government of Kuwait.

The title of the seminar was "To pay Tributes to His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah".

The seminar was attended by Indian ambassador M Ganapathi and Sheikh Mubarak Salman Al Mohamed Al Sabah along with several distinguished personalities from Kuwaiti and Indian community residing in Kuwait.

At the beginning of the meeting, a minute’s silence was observed to the memory of Sheikh Jaber Al Sabah.  A condolence resolution was then passed by the seminar which said that the “Sheikh Jaber's vision and humanity won him both the affection of his people and the admiration of the international community. Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah will be greatly missed”.

Ambassador Ganapathi, in his inaugural address, commended the Kuwait Kerala Muslim Association for organizing a Memorial Seminar to recall the yeoman contribution of Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, the late Amir of Kuwait towards the development of Kuwait into a modern and prosperous nation with a caring and devoted society based on values. 

“I am confident that his name will figure in golden letters in the annals of modern Kuwait.  He was the 'Amir of Hearts', a person who had all, lost all and regained all, yet did not lose sight of the central humane principle which separates the good from the great - care of the common man and friend and foe.  He had the goodness of heart and greatness of vision. His leadership of Kuwait in good and difficult times is worthy of great significance”, the Ambassador went on saying.

The ambassador extended his condolences to the Kuwaiti government and people of Kuwait and also mentioned the tribute paid by both houses of the Indian Parliaments and the obituary references made in the houses of Parliaments by the chairman of the Rajya Sabha and the speaker of the Lok Sabha on February 16, 2006. India has called off all official and protocol activities during the mourning period.

The chief guest at the seminar, Sheikh Mubarak Salman Al Mohamed Al Sabah said “Sheikh Jaber had left Kuwait strong in all aspects with its sovereignty, independence, the strength of its people and economy and institutions”.  Delivering his keynote address he mentioned that the life of late beloved Amir was dedicated not only to Kuwait and its people but the entire world benefited by his vision towards human society and exemplary generosity towards the poor and downtrodden communities in every part of the world.  “Sheikh Jaber loved his people and was faithful to his nation.  He felt that the strength of Kuwait is its people and he utilized all resources for their development of human resource”. 

Sheikh Mubarak Salman also touched on the historical relations between India and Kuwait and mentioned that the Indians in Kuwait are partners in developing this country into a modern nation.

Earlier in a message of condolence to KKMA, the chief Minister of Kerala Oommen Chandy expressed deep sadness over the demise of His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al Sabah, the late Amir of Kuwait. “His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al Sabah was very vibrant as well as dedicated.  His valuable contributions to Kuwait will be marked in golden letters.  He has permanent adobe in the hearts of everyone who came across his life”, said Oommen Chandy.

Sageer Trikarpur, the president of the organization, in his opening speech mentioned the importance for them to hold a seminar to commemorate Sheik Jaber Al Sabah, the late Amir of Kuwait.  He said for the Indians living in Kuwait, Kuwait had been their second home.  “We spent more years in this country than we lived in our homeland.  We have never felt thatthis country is different.  Therefore, KKMA considers it our duty to be a platform for our community members, as expatriates living in this beloved land, to have an opportunity for them to express their love towards the great Amir of this country”. 

N A.Muneer general secretary of KKMA welcomed the full-packed audience that was present in the community hall of Jleeb Al Shuyouk cooperative society.

The speakers at the Seminar praised the achievements of late Kuwaiti Amir and opined that Sheikh Jaber built the modern Kuwait and strengthened democracy byinitiating all developmental and innovative projects in Kuwait.

Dr. Mohammad Ameen Ahmad, Business Decision Support Manager at the Chairman’s Office of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, in his speech, narrated the achievements of Sheikh Jaber Al Sabh during his lifetim, in terms of democracy, social development, education, economic and political development and international relations.  He said that the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah’s interest, involvement and efforts in all above aspects enabled him to be successful not only in securing the nation’s sovereignty, but also in introducing his country to the 21st century as Kuwait rose to become parallel with the rest of the international community.

Muna Al Fuzai, a popular journalist in Kuwait, said Sheikh Jaber succeeded in making Kuwait a place for peace and security.  She said that the father of modern Kuwait gave everyone, whether a Kuwaiti and a non-Kuwaiti, a sense of security throughout his reign. No one was discriminated against or denied his civil rights in Kuwait in view of his race, colour or nationality in Kuwait.  She also reviewed the great deeds of Sheikh Jaber, noting that he had been the founder of modern Kuwait.

Sayad Iqbal Qureshi, Foreign Trade Concellor of Luxembourg said that Sheikh Jaber was so humble, which quality contributed to his great personality and earned him the love of the Kuwaiti people and the expatriate alike.  A man of vision and  generosity, His Highness Sheikh Jaber made stability and peace in the region a priority for his political action and a wager for the economic success of Kuwait.

For his part, Sunny Mathew, who has lived in Kuwait for over 50 years stressed that the loss is great. He added, "The late Amir was a highly patriotic man who loved and worshipped this land." He also noted that the late Amir was a unique man who was loved even before assuming power in 1977. "He envisaged development of Kuwait, planned his programs and executed it successfully, step by step successfully", he reiterated.

K Sidhikh, the chief patron of KKMA underlined that Sheikh Jaber had ruled Kuwait through constitutional channels and had never abused his powers.

Rajan Daniel, secretary of Indian Community school, mentioned how Kuwait and its people contributed to the well-being of Indian community and social development in India.

Speakers who attended the seminar talked about the distinctive qualities of the late Kuwaiti amir, who helped develop his country and spearheaded his country during the Iseven-month Iraqi occupation of Kuwait.  Malayil Moosa Koya, Editor, Kuwait Times, Malayalam Section praised the late Amir’s humanitarian contributions and how he was supporting just causes of world community.

Speakers representing various Indian organizations in Kuwait, Abey Variccad (general secretary KPCC), Sam Painummood (President, KALA), Faisal Manjeri (General Secretary, KIG), R.S. Pillai (Kala Kuwait), Joy Mundakkad (president, Kerala Association), Joseph Thankachan (president, Kerala Desiya Vedi), Abdul Fatah Thayyil (Vice President, KKMA), S.A. Labba (chairman, Indo Arab Socio Cultural Organization ) extended their condolences to the Al-Sabah family, the Kuwaiti people and all expatriates living in Kuwait.

The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks by KKMA vice president A P Abdul Salam.