Media Release

Saudi Arabia, May 14: Karnataka Salafi association (KSA), Dammam Khobar unit, held its 16th annual general meeting and elected the new working committee members, here on May 8.

The hall in the restaurant was packed with old and new members from Karnataka residing in Dammam area for the same.

The meeting was presided over by the president Mohammed Ismail Babbukatte. It was anchored by Shaik Sameer Ahmed, Bangalore, who is also the chairman of Peace and Education Research Center, a welfare trust, Bangalore and a prominent member of Karnataka Salafi Association.

The meeting started with the reading of Quran, and translation of the same by Sheikh Sadiq Salafi. Explaining the meaning of the verses, Sheikh emphasized the importance of participation in the community work but cautioned about taking and accepting the leadership responsibility without caring for its rights. He said that it was against the spirit of Islam to seek position as it could be questioned on the Day of Judgment if not fulfilled properly.

Later, the president Ismail Babbukatte gave a brief speech about the activities of association for the past 16 years and the achievement statistics to the members. He also read out the financial report for the year 2014-2015.

Karnataka Salafi Association has been working for the welfare of Muslims in Saudi Arabia by setting up two English Medium Madrassas in Khobar and Dammam, which are first of its kind in Saudi Arabia. The members have participated in relief and rehabilitation work in India and also are actively participating in setting up an Islamic TV channel in India in the name of I plus TV. Weekly classes are being conducted in Alkhobar in Byari, Kannada, Urdu languages for several years with the participation of entire families connected with the association. Annual Umrah and Ramadhan Iftar party for the families are regular events. Publication and Printing of knowledge based books are also done by the association.

Later the existing committee was dissolved by president Mohammed Ismail Saheb and Mohammed Liyaqhat was chosen as returning officer to conduct the election for the new committee members. A record number of 31 members were elected and the new executive committee was formed. Outgoing president Mohammed Ismail Saheb has signed the transfer formalities of the association to the new committee under the supervision of returning officer Mohammed Liyaqhat Saheb.

All the members were briefed about their duties and responsibilities. Accordingly, a meeting was scheduled for the committee on the next day.The new members have shown great enthusiasm to work for the association and given commitments to uphold the methodology of pious predecessors in understanding and following the true spirit of Islam.

Advocate Abdul Hameed Padubidri, Sheikh Burhan Nadwi, Senior NRI Sibghatullah Saheb, Ahmed Hussain Padubidri were present in the meeting.

The meeting concluded with the vote of thanks and Dua.

A meeting of the executive committee members was held on May 9 at 9.00 pm in Apsara Restaurant, Al Khobar. All the 31 members were present. The meeting was presided over by Sheikh Sadiq Salafi. Sheikh Burhan Nadwi and Br Mohammed Liyaqhat were present in the dais. Sheikh Sadiq Salafi gave a ten minute speech on the importance of upholding Quran, sunnah and manhaj of Salaf, and to work in unity for the pleasure of Allah.

The following were chosen for the posts as office bearers: Sheik Sadiq Salafi Sharia- advisor, Ismail Babbukatte-senior advisor, Gouse Khan-advisor, Hassan Abbas-president, Mohammed Liyaqhat- Vice President, Sibgatulla Abdul Kareem-Vice President, Abdul Hameed M H-General Secretary, Shaikh Sameer Ahmed- Joint Secretary, Ehthesham Shimogga-Joint Secretary, Mustafa Patla-Treasurer, Basheer Sagar- Joint Treasurer, Althaf Hussain Saheb-Joint Treasurer, PM Sharief Dawah- Committee Secretary, Khalifa Mustafa- Media Committee Secretary, Adil Hassan Abbas- Executive Committee Members, Karkala Arif- Executive Committee Members, Haneef Abbas Saheb- Executive Committee Members, Khalid Sharief- Executive Committee Members, Ashraf Sowkoor Kashim-Executive Committee Members, Mohammed Hanif K- Executive Committee Members, Zameer Ahmed- Executive Committee Members, Mohammed Ayub -Executive Committee Members, Fayaz Ahmed -Executive Committee Members, Ibrahim Hussain- Executive Committee Members, Muzammil- Executive Committee Members, Sheik Abbas- Executive Committee Members, Mudassir- Executive Committee Members, Abdul Rahim- Executive Committee Members, Kudur Hassan Bilal- Executive Committee Members, Ashfaq- Executive Committee Members, Aatif Hameed-Executive Committee Members and Syed Thousif-Executive Committee Members.

Few independent sub committees were formed. They are:

 Madrassa Committee Dammam
 Madrassa Committee Khobar
 Dawah Committee
 Media and Communication Committee

Senior Members Hassan Abbas, Basheer Sagar, Mustafa Patla, Sharief Yennehole, Abdul Hameed M H and Shaik Sameer Ahmed were chosen as the members of all the sub committees.

The executive members and the office bearers discussed about the confusion over the usage of Karnataka Salafi Association (KSA) by many groups operating in India and Saudi Arabia. It was decided to rename the organization as Karnataka Salafi Foundation (KSF). It was unanimously decided to carry out all existing activities of the association rigorously in a more organized and efficient way.

The meeting concluded with the vote of thanks and Dua.