by A M Arif Jokatte
Dammam, Aug 18: An independence celebration was held on 15th August 2009 in Dammam under the banner of India Fraternity Forum, Dammam (IFF). The subject was “Be the sentinel of freedom”. It was inaugurated by Mr. Asghar Ali Khan, Chairman of Indian International School Dammam (IISD) and delivered complementary speech by Mr. Siraj Wahab (Editor, Arab News) to the audience of the Independence Gathering Ceremony.
IFF Acting President Zafarullah Khan welcomed the gathering and briefly introduced IFF activities.
In his independence message IFF, General Secretary, Perwez Ahmed said that India is a secular country where constitution guarantees minorities' religious, social and economic rights which is not being extended to Muslim minority in India. He said that we cannot achieve the real freedom if we fail to provide equal rights to all citizen of India.
He also raised concern of growing fascism in India which poses a graver danger not just to Muslims and Christians, but in fact, to all marginalized groups in the country, particularly Dalits and Adivasis, since it represents the worldview, interests and agendas of entrenched 'upper' caste elites. He further stressed the need of being united to defeat the fascist forces and prevail peace. We must join hands to build our nation and march towards peace and prosperity.”
He cautioned that the present Indian government is acting under pressure from the US. Being a sovereign nation we should take our own decisions. US want India to depend on it for military, foreign policy affairs and economic issues. It is also strengthening communal forces in India with the help of state legislation and bureaucratic set up. He added that close relationship with the Zionist government in Israel is not in India’s interest.
He calls upon the people to come together and join hands in the struggle against the murderous neo-colonial incursions made by the US and its allies in the country in the form of liberalization and globalization. Neo-colonial powers led by the United States are trying to take over the country's resources with the help of local monopolies and have already wrought great damage to the India's socio-political fabric.
Big crowed attending this independence celebration, members representing from all parts India.
IFF is a social and welfare organization having members from each nook and corner of India. We assist Indian in Humanitarian and legal matter in coordination with Indian Embassy, said its acting President Zafarullah Khan.
There were cultural and revolutionary Songs in different languages i.e. Malayalam, Urdu, Kannada,Bengali, Tamil and Assami delivered by Indian expatriates participated the gathering.
Program was stared with Quran recitation done by Hafiz Noushad and given thanks to all by Miraj. All program winded-up with Unity Song (Sare Jeham se Acha) of Dr. Allamah Mohammed Iqbal.