Media Release

Dammam, Sep 19: Karnataka Cultural Foundation Saudi Arabia annually deploys hundreds of volunteers to serve the Hajj Pilgrims in Makkah. This year too, the Hajj volunteer group of KCF carried out incredible service and won appreciation from Mina Hospital of Saudi Ministry of Health just like the last two years.

KCF Dammam zone, one of the biggest and most active zones, sent a big contingent of volunteers this time. As part of societal responsibility to honour and encourage such sincere efforts, Dammam Zone organised a colorful felicitation ceremony at the banquet hall of Classic Restaurant in Al- Khobar.

The programme began with Dua from Moulana Yousuf Sa’adi Ayyangeri, renowned scholar and former president of Karnataka State SSF. Quran recitation was carried out by Usman Zuhri.

Faizal Krishnapura, general secretary, Dammam Zone KCF, welcomed everyone with an introductory message. He commended the effort of volunteers and the organising team of Dammam Zone, and reminded the workers to dedicate themselves to complete the remaining tasks of the year.

Musthafa Naeemi, founder and chairman of Mueenusunnah Institution, Haveri inaugurated the function. He lauded the efforts of KCF in carrying out volunteer service for Hajj pilgrims. He spoke at length about the great support of Karnataka Cultural Foundation in revolutionizing religious and general education situation in northern districts of Karnataka by establishing educational campuses where both general and religious education imparted and by carrying out awareness campaigns known by name Ihsaan. He remembered the initial difficult days of this revolution wherein he himself was a volunteer and recollected how situation changed after KCF started backing Ihsaan activities in north Karnataka.

Moulana Yosuf Saqafi Baithar, Saudi National president of KCF delivered the keynote address. He highlighted the difficulties faced by members who left the country due to new labor rules in Saudi Arabia and called fellow members to extend help to those in trouble. He appreciated the  efforts of KCF Hajj volunteers for bringing credit to the organisation. He urged KCF members to dedicate themselves to humanitarian service which KCF carries out in Saudi Arabia.

The most interesting time of the programme was when some of the volunteers shared their experience. Five volunteers explained vividly the satisfaction they earned when they were able to help women and aged Hajj pilgrims in tracing their teammates, finding way to their tents, carrying sick and wounded pilgrims to hospital for treatment and many such services needed by pilgrims. Emotions ran high with everyones eyes welled up when volunteers narrated some of the heart rending situations experienced by them during Hajj volunteering.

Farook Katipalla, general secretary of KCF Saudi National Committee, Kamarudeen, KCF International Committee Education chairman and Azeez Sa’adi, former president of KCF Dammam Zone spoke briefly and wished the volunteers well.

Farook Kuppetti, president of KCF Dammam Zone delivered the presidential address. He asked members to use social media cautiously and use it to proliferate the message of love and peace in the era where social media is used for spreading falsehood, rumor and hate.

Volunteers were given appreciation certificate on behalf of KCF National Committee. Along with other dignitaries, philanthropist Basheer Ullal distributed certificates and felicitated the HVC organizers from Dammam zone.

Haneef Manjanady, Chairman of KCF Hajj volunteer thanked everyone for their great support to achieve unseen success at KCF Hajj volunteering. The outstanding leadership of Haneef Manjanady was instrumental in making it a huge succes, and through his effort KCF HVC received recognition of 'Indian Hajj Mission' this year and were able to do service under that ID.

Prayers atmosphere prevailed during the function to highlight miseries of Rohingyan Muslims. 'Dua’ was conducted for them.
   
Fayaz Pakshikere, convener of administrative wing of Dammam zone proposed the vote of thanks. The programme concluded with melodious spiritual song by Janab Basheer Kaup.