tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74774178613076184822024-03-08T02:32:45.168-08:00Notes From Saudi Arabiaby Siraj Wahab @ Arab NewsSiraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-16318441878405613792019-11-07T18:28:00.001-08:002019-11-07T18:28:36.637-08:00End of an Era: Dr. Majid Kazi Is No More<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Dr. Majid Kazi is no more</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />By Siraj Wahab in Jeddah</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Dr. Majid Kazi, the personal physician to the late Saudi King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz, died in Jeddah on Thursday night. He was 81.<br /><br />He is survived by his wife, Carol Ann Kazi, two sons, Shams and Kamal, and two daughters, Aneesa and Samia.<br /><br />He will be laid to rest in a historic cemetery in Jeddah after funeral prayers at the Juffali Mosque in Al-Balad district.<br /><br />Both his sons and his wife were with him when he passed away.<br /><br />Among his close relatives who were him was his nephew Wajid Ali Khan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"With the passing away of Majid Maamu, an era has come to an end," said Wajid Ali Khan, the Jeddah-based son of one of Dr. Kazi's four sisters, the late Razia Qazi.<br /><br />A Saudi of Indian origin, Dr. Kazi was from Aurangabad in Maharashtra. His father, Kazi Hameeduddin, was a leading lawyer and a prominent Muslim leader of his time.<br /><br />Dr. Kazi’s brother, Qazi Saleem, was a successful and well-known Urdu poet and politician. He represented Aurangabad in Parliament when Indira Gandhi was prime minister.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />There is little disagreement that Dr. Kazi was the highest-ranking person of Indian origin in Saudi Arabia. By virtue of his position as royal cardiologist, he was granted Saudi citizenship.<br /><br />Dr. Kazi was very attached to his two daughters. He always spoke of them very fondly and they were equally attached to their father.<br /><br />Dr. Kazi’s early childhood and primary education were — in his own words in an interview with Arab News in 2006 — took place in “my beloved city of Hyderabad.” He returned to Hyderabad as a medical student in 1956 and obtained a degree in medicine from Osmania Medical College.<br /><br />Immediately after graduation, he worked as a tutor for a year at Gandhi Medical College where he spent the first six months of his first year in medicine, where he was among the top 40 students of the college. "We used to call ourselves the ‘40 Pillars’ of the institute. Later, I was transferred to Osmania Medical College where I spent my early youth tumultuously, studying and celebrating the annual college day function that used to last three days,” he remembered.<br /><br />He was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the Indian government in 2006. He received it from President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. He was the first Indian from the Gulf region to get the prestigious award.<br /><br />“What an exciting moment it was for me to be able to see, hear and shake hands with the Indian president. I consider it an honor for my family and me. I was deeply touched by Dr. Abdul Kalam’s wisdom, his articulation, knowledge, and humility. I couldn’t agree with him more when he called on Indians and persons of Indian origin to have wings for ascending in every walk of life but never to to lose their ‘Indian-ness,’ which essentially means their civility, nobility, and humility,” he said at the time.<span class="sewel1n3fc0h9yi"></span><span class="sewel1n3fc0h9yi"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">https://www.arabnews.com/node/282466</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 2006 Interview in Arab News:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Story of the Indian doctor who rose to the top<br /><br />By Siraj Wahab</span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;">sirajwahab@arabnews.com<br />Wednesday, March 29, 2006</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />November 15, 1974, remains one of the most important days of Dr. Majid-Uddin Kazi’s life. For it was on that day he received a letter that would launch a brilliant and distinguished career for this noted Saudi cardiologist of Indian origin.<br /><br />The letter came from Health Minister Dr. Abdul Aziz Khowaiter. “I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected as my personal adviser for the establishment of modern health facilities in the Kingdom for the prevention, detection and management of heart diseases,” the minister wrote to Dr. Kazi.<br /><br />That letter came just five years after Dr. Kazi’s 1969 arrival in the Kingdom from Canada with his wife, Carol Ann Kazi, and a six-month-old son.<br /><br />In 1977, he was appointed personal physician to the crown prince of Saudi Arabia and a decade later was promoted to the rank of a Cabinet minister when he became the personal physician to King Fahd and chief of Royal Clinics.<br /><br />There seems to be little disagreement among Indians both here in the Gulf and in India that he is the highest-ranking person of Indian origin in Saudi Arabia. By virtue of being the royal cardiologist he was granted Saudi citizenship.<br /><br />Dr. Kazi recently was in the news when he was honored by Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award. Now at 68, Dr. Kazi is still an adviser in the Royal Court having been reappointed last year to the ministerial-ranked position for four more years.<br /><br />One evening recently Arab News sat down with him over dinner to discuss his career and the good old days. Dr. Kazi speaks with the precision of a surgeon, but he is extremely shy. At times one notes a little embarrassment in him when his public stature is discussed, perhaps because he thinks he owes everything to good fortune.<br /><br />“Everybody is unique in his own way,” he says. “There is a hidden rainbow in each of us. When a sunray goes through a droplet with the right tilt, and God’s help, a rainbow can be woven.”<br /><br />The Saudi Arabia to which Dr. Kazi came in 1969 was a far different place than it is today. “At that time, Saudi Arabia was still an underdeveloped, sparsely populated, peaceful and charming place. The Central Hospital in Riyadh was ill-equipped and chaotic. The asphalt road did not extend beyond the Al-Nasseriya corner. It was difficult to get used to desert coolers, leaving behind the central air-conditioning and other comforts of Canada. There were sand dunes where now stands the modern, well-equipped King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, providing medical services far and wide. It is a standing tribute to the wise, kind and highly successful policies of the Kingdom’s rulers.”<br /><br />Dr. Kazi credits his wife for his successes. “She played and is still playing a vital role. She used to push me forward rather than pushing me around. I wished I were half as great a believer in the academic excellence of our children.”<br /><br />Dr. Kazi’s wife is a certified art instructor who specializes in painting. Until a few years ago she used to run Riyadh’s Desert Designs, a popular arts-and-crafts shop. The couple is blessed with two daughters, Aneesa and Samia, and two sons, Shams and Kamal.<br /><br />Dr. Kazi was thrilled earlier this year when he went to Hyderabad to receive the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from Dr. Abdul Kalam, who is also a scientist. “What an exciting moment it was for me to be able to see, hear and shake hands with the Indian president. I consider it an honor for my family and me. I was deeply touched by Dr. Abdul Kalam’s wisdom, articulation, knowledge and humility. I couldn’t agree with him more when he called on Indians and persons of Indian origin to have wings for ascent in every walk of life but never to lose ‘Indian-ness,’ which essentially comprises civility, nobility and humility.”<br /><br />Dr. Kazi hails from Aurangabad, a town in the then Nizam’s domain that was annexed to the Indian Union in 1948 and later became part of the western Indian state of Maharashtra. His father Kazi Hameeduddin was a leading lawyer and a prominent Muslim leader. Dr. Kazi’s brother, Kazi Saleem, was a successful Urdu poet and politician. When Kazi Saleem died recently, almost all the major Urdu publications came out with a special edition on him.<br /><br />Dr. Kazi’s elder brother always was an inspiration to him. “During my childhood, Kazi Saleem was already a famous new groundbreaking poet. I was enchanted by his style, thoughts and imagination. With a view to imitating him I used to compose childish poems. Several of them were printed in children’s magazines in India, such as ‘Phulwari’ and ‘Khilona.’”<br /><br />Those sweet early years have left Dr. Kazi with many wonderful memories. “At age 11, I got my first gold medal when my poem was selected in the provincial middle school competition, and it was published in a children’s magazine from Delhi. I used to be thrilled to take part in the children’s program of the newly-established Aurangabad Radio Station. I used to write for the children’s program at times and was paid ten rupees (70 halalas) a couple of times. Back then, it was a joyous moment for your work to be selected and rewarded with 10 rupees.”<br /><br /><b>Dr. Kazi’s early childhood and primary education were in, what he calls, “my beloved city of Hyderabad.” He returned to Hyderabad as a medical student in 1956 to seek a degree in medicine at Osmania Medical College.</b><br /><br /><b>“Immediately after graduation, I worked as a tutor for a year at Gandhi Medical College where I had spent the first six months of my first year in medicine, being among the top 40 students of that college. We used to call ourselves the ‘40 Pillars’ of the institute. Later, I was transferred to Osmania Medical College where I spent my early youth tumultuously, studying and celebrating our annual college day function that used to last three days.”</b><br /><br /><b>In college, he continued to develop his writing skills, penning sarcastic comedies and taking active part in dramas. “I used to enjoy being on the college stage with the nickname of ‘Sher Khan.’ We used to mix hard work with pleasure. Early in the morning, I would walk to the public gardens and study for exams under tall trees and enjoy the soul-nourishing breeze. The culture, education, interactions and celebrations of the city of Hyderabad all played a vital role in my life.”</b><br /><br /><b>The good doctor is never one to boast, and he advises those looking for good role models to look inside themselves rather than look to him. “I strongly believe in teamwork rather than a one-man show. It is good to be mild — but not meek. At least when it is your turn, get up and speak. I am no role model, so please don’t copy me. I am less than a dust particle floating in space. By chance, the rays of the sun illuminated it for a while.”</b></span></div>
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Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-20907494812155311132019-03-17T07:42:00.000-07:002019-03-17T07:42:53.743-07:00Interview with prominent Indian Islamic scholar Maulana Khalilur Rahman Sajjad Nomani<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Muslims need to appeal to the conscience of India'</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">'It is not in India's DNA to accept injustice for long'<br /><br />'There was, and is, a parallel undercurrent against fascist forces in India'<br /><br />'If Modi wins again, we will continue to fight for a bright and justice-loving India'<br /><br />'It is not a fight between Hindus and Muslims ... It is a fight between the oppressed and the oppressor'</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">'The oppressed are in an overwhelming majority in India and the oppressor is in a minority'</span><span class="sewwvtmwa7nmylt"></span><span class="sewwvtmwa7nmylt"></span><br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">By Siraj Wahab in Jeddah</span></b><br />Sunday, March 17, 2019</div>
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Maulana Khalilur Rahman Sajjad Nomani is a prominent Islamic scholar from India. His sermons and speeches are listened to with a great deal of respect and attention across the length and breadth of the country. He commands special attention from members of the Indian Muslim diaspora. He is not a traditional scholar in the sense that he has not confined himself to the pulpit or to a madrasa or only to matters concerning religion. He is a sharp observer of India’s political currents and has, therefore, never shied away from expressing his views on current political affairs. In fact, he has undertaken several steps in the past to bring Indian Muslims as well as disadvantaged sections of Indian society onto a single, broad-based platform. He holds a responsible position as a member of the working committee of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) — the most widely accepted representative body of Muslims in India.<br /><br />The 64-year-old maulana is the son of an even more famous father, the late Maulana Manzoor Nomani, who was a close associate of both Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi and Maulana Abul Ala Maududi. As a result of his rich heritage, Maulana Sajjad Nomani is widely revered and respected by Indian Muslims. He is seen as authentic and credible because of his rich background and education. He graduated from Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama and Darul Uloom Deoband. Later he studied at the Islamic University of Madinah and completed a doctorate in Qur’anic Studies. He is a very articulate and vocal proponent of combining modern English-language education with madrasa education.<br /><br />The maulana was in Saudi Arabia last week and was gracious enough to grant us an interview at short notice. The interview was conducted at his son-in-law’s residence in Jeddah’s Al-Mushrefah district. The interview took place just three days after the Supreme Court of India announced the creation of a three-member mediation committee to explore the possibility of settling/resolving the Babri Masjid issue.<br /><br />Following is the full text of the interview:<br /><br /><b>Q: Let me start with the recent decision of the Supreme Court. It has decided to go for mediation to resolve the Babri Masjid dispute. The top court has ordered the formation of a three-member mediation panel. What is your view and the view of the AIMPLB on the court’s decision?<br /><br />A:</b> We have been of the view right from the beginning that we are in favor of talks to resolve the problem. The proof of our stand is evident because on almost seven occasions in the past two or three decades, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board has entered into negotiations under different prime ministers. We have had many, many rounds of negotiations. Unfortunately, the negotiations failed every time. Despite these unfortunate failures, we never closed the door to negotiations from our side. It has always been our point that we have been — and we will always be — ready for unconditional talks. The operative word here is unconditional. Without any conditions. We have always been ready for talks and negotiations.<br /><br /><b>Q: If that is the case, the question becomes as to why was the last offer of talks from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar turned down by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board?<br /><br />A: </b>Yes, we refused that offer of talks. The reason was that the offer came with a condition. Right from the beginning, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said that it had been decided that a mosque would not be built at that place and that the place must be given to Hindus for building a temple. The Muslims would thus have to relinquish their claim to that land and the land would have to be given to Hindus. We will discuss the rest. It is beyond anybody’s comprehension as to what the talks will then be about. This was the reason why we refused. He was going around telling everyone that the temple would be built at the exact place where Babri Masjid existed. There was a contradiction in what he was saying and the offer of talks. So we, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said no. This conditional offer of talks is unacceptable.<br /><br /><b>Q: How significant do you think the current offer of mediation from the Supreme Court is?<br /><br />A: </b>This time the offer of talks has come from the Supreme Court. It is a very serious effort. The All India Muslim Personal Board has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision. If the court thinks the mediation can help resolve the issue, then we are ready. Having said that, let me state that going by the experience of mediation efforts in the past, we are not very hopeful. “Ummeed bohat kam hai.” Also, our optimism is diminished by the fact that one of the three-member mediation panel includes a person (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar) whose clear stand is against the rebuilding of the mosque. However, we want everyone to know that we should not be blamed for not giving mediation the chance of succeeding. We don’t want to be seen as rigid nor that we are against any compromise. We want justice. We seek justice. “Ham chahte hain insaaf ho.” Peace cannot be established without justice. We want to ask all peace-loving people: “Can you have peace at the altar of injustice?” So, if the Supreme Court thinks that one more effort should be made toward resolving the issue — and the Supreme Court itself has acknowledged that the result of the past efforts has not been very encouraging but even then the Supreme Court wants to make one last effort — then that is fine with us.<br /><br /><b>Q: There is an impression or a perception among the Muslims of India that repeated efforts at mediation are basically to force and compel Muslims to give up their rightful and legal claim to the land. The impression is reinforced by the fact the Muslims have unequivocally and publicly stated that whatever the Supreme Court’s decision, the community will abide by it. The community also feels secure with the fact that its legal case is strong. Do you get an impression that these repeated efforts at mediation are basically to dissuade Muslims from giving up their rightful claim?<br /><br />A:</b> I don’t rule this out completely, and I would like to raise a question. If this is true, then it means that there is no rule of law in India. This means that the writ of the Supreme Court is not binding. This concept of majoritarianism cannot succeed in a democratic setup. In a democratic setup, law has to be supreme. The law of the land is supreme. If the perception that you have referred to in your question is true, then we see a very dark future for India. We pray that this is not true. One does get the impression however, that the Supreme Court of India is worried that it will not be able to enforce its decision or order. This does not augur well. It is not a good sign. In such a scenario, all peace-loving and justice-loving people of India must come together and raise their voices from a single platform for the supremacy of the rule of law.<br /><b><br />Q: What is expected from the current effort at mediation?<br /><br />A:</b> To me, all roads (for a successful outcome of mediation) seem closed.<br /><br /><b>Q: So all parties must wait for the Supreme Court’s verdict then?<br /><br />A:</b> The Supreme Court itself has said that if the mediation panel comes to an amicable agreement, then it should bring forward the formula. If not, then the Supreme Court will begin hearings in the case.<br /><br /><b>Q: If the final decision goes against Muslims, do you think the community will accept this with an open heart or a heavy heart?<br /><br />A:</b> Muslims are living in India under a covenant of their iron-clad determination and decision. One of the community’s iron-clad decisions is that the community will remain faithful to the country’s constitution and, at the same time, retain its identity. Our fight and our peaceful struggle are not geared toward one issue. New issues crop up every once in a while and embedded in these issues is an attack on our identity. The idea is to assimilate our religion into the other more widespread religion. I am referring to the Brahminical idea of supremacy which has been in force for quite some time. You must understand that all other minorities in India — almost all of them — have surrendered before the onslaught of the Brahminical supremacist juggernaut/order. The Jainism movement in our country was against the Brahmanical order of supremacy. When the Jains were tortured — physically and mentally — they could not withstand the pressure of Brahminism so they surrendered. The most vocal and determined voice against the Brahmanical supremacy in India was that of Gautam Buddha. That is why we read in books that Buddhists were the victims of physical torture at the hands of Brahmins. They too, therefore, surrendered and accepted the supremacy of the Brahminical social order. There are so many examples. Muslims, however, have been the only exception who refused to surrender their faith. They weathered so many difficulties but remained true to the tenets of their faith. Everyone will — and should — accept the fact that despite all the challenges, Muslims have managed to protect their identity in India. They have suffered economically; they have been politically marginalized and they have lost out on education. All this has happened, but credit must go to the Muslim leadership, and especially to the Islamic scholars, who managed to protect/retain our religious identity. It is this resolute determination and iron-clad resilience that bothers the forces that are out against us. They want us to surrender. These attacks in the form of different issues that crop up at regular intervals are part of that larger plan to force the Muslims to dilute their identity and assimilate their culture into the culture of Brahminism. I am very confident that if that happens (of Muslims losing the case in court) Muslims will absorb this painful shock. Muslims will definitely not react in a way that will create any law and order problem. Muslims will continue their traditional role of defending their religion and will continue to safeguard the Constitution of our country.<br /><br /><b>Q: And Muslims would expect the same from Hindus — that they would protect and abide by the Constitution too?<br /><br />A:</b> Yes, of course. Our expectation is for everyone. I would like to clarify here that this discussion or conversation must not assume that all Hindus are against Muslims. That would be a fallacy and would be totally wrong. The majority of Hindus are not with the supremacists and right-wingers. It is the responsibility of the Muslim leadership or opinionmakers that they must enlist all sections of society in the fight for the preservation and safeguarding of the country’s constitution. There should be a broad-based, grand alliance to defend the rule of law and the Constitution and for establishing peace and justice in India. The chances of the success of such a noble struggle are very bright. I am an optimistic person and I believe in the concept of a blessing in disguise.<br /><br /><b>Q: Was the demolition of the Babri Masjid also a blessing in disguise in the sense that it awakened the community, at least constitutionally and politically?<br /><br />A: </b>You can say that. It led to greater political awareness in the community. Allah has granted us many, many opportunities but we must accept that we have not been able to use those opportunities for the optimum effect. The conscience of India does not accept injustice for too long. Injustice is not in India’s DNA. This is the exclusivity of India. There is something about this land that it does not let injustice take root or flourish. On most occasions, we Muslims are not able to appeal to that feeling but sometimes we do. On many occasions, we don’t. When we do not, that is our problem. If we choose the path of reason, then I would say a vast majority of Indians would stand with truth and justice. We need to get out from behind the walls of isolation that we have built around us. We must increase our channels of communication.<br /><br /><b>Q: In the Babri Masjid case mediation council, who will represent the Muslims?<br /><br />A: </b>Those who are parties to the case will appear before the mediation council. The case is not between Hindus and Muslims and so the mediation is not going to be between Hindus and Muslims. Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind is one of the parties in one of the cases. The All-India Muslim Personal Law Board is a party in six cases related to the Babri Masjid. These two will definitely be there. Both are very strong Muslim representatives. And then there are the non-Muslim parties to the case.<br /><br /><b>Q: You keep saying in your speeches and talks that Hindus cannot be taken as one monolith. Can you elaborate on that?<br /><br />A: </b>There are 11 crores Adivasis (tribals). They are engaged in a brave fight against the Brahminical social order. We have opened good channels of communication with them. Look at the Lingayats in south India. They number 7.5 crores. They were considered non-Hindus before India attained independence. After Independence, they were forcefully categorized as Hindus. They are engaged in movements to reestablish their original identity. There is great awareness among the Buddhists of India. The SCs/STs (scheduled castes and scheduled tribes) have become fully aware of their positions. The broad-based alliance that I referred to earlier can be formed very easily on the basis of a common minimum program. It is not possible that all of us will agree on all the issues. That is not possible. On the agenda of protecting the democratic and secular ideals of our nation and on the issue of protecting our Constitution, we can bring together a vast majority through this common minimum program. So if Muslims lose the case in the Supreme Court, it will be like the proverbial darkness of the night that ultimately leads to a bright morning.<br /><br /><b>Q: There is one question that keeps wracking the minds of Muslim intellectuals in India and that is: Why Muslims should be in a fight against Brahmins. They reason that during Muslim rule in India, during the Mughal era, the people who were actually running the country belonged to the high castes. Brahmins were in powerful positions in the Mughal court. The martial component of Hindus, especially the Rajputs, were the mainstay of the Mughal army. Where has the relationship gone wrong? Why didn’t it continue?<br /><br />A:</b> We, the Muslims, made and accepted Brahmins as our Quaid-e-Azam (the tallest leader). We made Gandhiji our leader. We made Nehru our leader. We made Indira Gandhi our leader. A majority — 90 percent — of those whom we accepted as our leaders were either Brahmins or members of the upper caste. But we must learn from the experience of the last 70 years. We must not repeat our mistakes.<br /><br /><b>Q: There is a group among Muslims which can be described as intellectual. This section of the liberal Muslim intelligentsia includes secular-educated writers, journalists, and academics. The influence of this group on the Muslims of India is at best marginal. On the other hand, we have reputable Islamic scholars who are the products of religious education and religious seminaries. They have an enormous following among the Muslim masses. They are considered far more credible because of their Islamic background. Why has there been no effort to bring these two important segments of the Muslim community together? Why are they poles apart?<br /><br />A:</b> You have struck a chord in my heart with this question. The real problem is the educational system. The duality of our educational system has caused this gap. This happened after the arrival of colonial powers — the British — in India. Our education system in the past never suffered from such a duality. Let me give you one example. Two pupils of a great Islamic scholar in the past were Mujaddid Alf Sani (Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi) who was himself a great Islamic scholar. His fellow pupil of the same teacher was the chief engineer/architect of the Taj Mahal. Both — a reputable architect and a well-known scholar — were students of the same teacher. Madrasas in the past produced engineers, doctors, scientists, judicial experts, Islamic scholars, exegetists of Qur’an, jurists — all of them were products of a traditional madrasa. This is our history. When the British came, they turned everything upside down. They believed in separating religion and education. They divided the education system in two and the two became two streams — religious education and modern pedagogical education. As a result, we became helpless. They completely divested religious education of its economic utility. This was done deliberately so that a product of a madrasa education had no chance of earning a livelihood with the religious education he had received. When the economic utility of madrasa education was made redundant, our children went to modern, secular schools, colleges and universities in order to seek better career prospects and jobs. From the Muslim point of view, when we were under British rule, it was important for us to retain our identity as Muslims and protect our deen (religion). If everyone had gone to study modern, secular education, there would have been nobody to read the Qur’an; nobody would have known how to pray or when to pray, etc. Thus, in those days, it was decided to protect Islam and our identity. That was given preference over earning a living. Religion and our religious identity, of course, came first. This was to be a temporary strategy. It was not permanent. I stress here that it was a temporary strategy designed to face the challenge of the British colonial era and I am talking about the time after 1857. Now, what happened is that — and this is not exclusive to Muslims: rather it is the story of all defeated people — when a community is on a downward spiral, it becomes traditional and inward-looking. It is not able to distinguish between what traditions are temporary and strategic and what traditions (riwayaat) are permanent or eternal (daayemi). So there were two systems of education. One system was producing what we call professionals and intellectuals. This section was very important and very respectable. The other stream was producing what we call Islamic scholars. Now, a majority of the products of this stream were not able to understand modern challenges. Each era had its language and that is the master key to understanding the era. There was a time in India when you could not understand anything without learning Persian. It held the key to power and knowledge. Now we are in 2019 when we cannot understand the challenges of modern times without understanding English or other Western languages. We cannot understand our era without having knowledge of modern languages. If we don’t know English today, we will not be able to understand the politics of today, the commerce of today, the banking system of today or the economic system. Nor can we fully understand science. We cannot even clear our doubts if we don’t know English and other modern languages. The whole dynamic changes. The wavelength of the students of our madrasas today is totally different from that of the intellectuals and students in modern, secular schools colleges and universities. There is no correspondence between the dynamics which don’t match so the gap is widening. What is saddening is that though there is, and has been, an awareness in the community about this, there has not been any consistent large-scale effort to bridge the gap in order to integrate the two sections and so end this duality in education.<br /><br /><b>Q: Was this duality in education exclusive to the Muslims of India?<br /><br />A:</b> No, it is the bane of the entire Muslim world. From Libya to Morocco, to Sudan, to Syria, and even in our subcontinent, especially Pakistan. When Muslims and Arabs were fighting for their freedom from British, French, or Portuguese rule, the madrasas provided thousands and thousands of people who became martyrs. They led from the front. In Algeria, too, the majority of freedom fighters were God-fearing Muslims. They were products of madrasas. All these states became independent and threw off the colonial yoke but when the countries attained independence through the hard work and priceless sacrifices of madrasa graduates, there were no professionals to take charge of the machinery of the state. There was nobody to run the education ministries, the foreign policy, the interior ministries, the finance ministries, the health services, or people who could understand the modern medium and idiom. The madrasas had not produced people with such skills. States, however, had to run and function and so we had to bring in professionals from Washington, London and Berlin and the rest of the modern world. These professionals began to run the countries. Naturally, they ran the countries on the basis of their experience and education which they had acquired in their home countries. They ran the Muslim and Arab countries along the lines they had been taught by their education. I will not say or claim that they were the enemies of Islam or of Muslim countries. I am against calling anybody and everybody an enemy of Islam; I am totally against this. What I know, however, is that these professionals who came from outside to run Arab and Muslim countries relied on their particular beliefs and customs and they ran our countries according to their experience and education. There is every possibility that they were friends of Muslims. I, therefore, don’t describe this as a tragedy for the Muslim world. I consider this to be a tragedy for humanity. We have not been able to project Islam as a provider of solutions for today’s problems. Even today we have not been able to do that. I don’t think — and I don’t believe — that a majority of non-Muslims hate Islam. They do not. If we had had professionals who could provide solutions to today’s problems in the light of Islam and if then the world had refused, we might say that non-Muslims had refused to accept the truth — but we never came up with solutions.<br /><br /><b>Q: We never did?<br /><br />A: </b>Never. Take the case of Pakistan. It was created in the name of Islam. It was to provide solutions. The Muslims of Pakistan failed because of this very duality of education. The Islamic scholars helped attain independence by providing freedom scholars by the thousands. When the country became independent, there were no bureaucrats because madrasas did not produce bureaucrats. They did not have people familiar with statecraft because madrasas did not produce them. The products of modern secular education think of the products of madrasas as having a parochial, narrow-minded, difficult mindset, and we the Islamic scholars think of modern educated people as deviants, as ones who have strayed from the right path. This is absolutely wrong. Both are wrong. The majority of our professionals, both boys and girls, are very promising, and very talented. They have a positive mindset. I wish madrasas could present to this talented section the messages and teachings of Islam in a language that they could understand. Today Islam has not been taken as a relevant religion. Our own young people do not think that Islam is relevant. So now is the time for us to work on the education system.<br /><br /><b>Q: How? How can today’s madrasas produce an architect and an Islamic scholar at the same time?<br /><br />A:</b> You are an Indian and I invite you to look at a small initiative that we have taken in this regard. Notable personalities have praised what we have done. We have established an institute called Darul Uloom Imam-e-Rabbani. It is in Maharashtra, between Bombay and Pune, in a village called Mamdapur in Neral. It was set up some seven years ago. What is notable about this institute is that a student takes courses in Arabic in all subjects that are taught in a traditional madrasa, such as Qur’an, hadith, tafseer (jurisprudence) while at the same time, he takes the subjects taught in a modern school in English such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, English, computer science, history, geography, etc. Our students sit for the Maharashtra State Education Board exams. They are doing their 10th Grade in English and are also becoming “aalim” (Islamic scholars). The students speak fluent Arabic and fluent English. We also have sports and other extracurricular activities. We have mixed the best of madrasa education with the best of modern education. The educational experts who have visited us have had very encouraging words for us and this has boosted our morale. We believe that is the first of this kind of experiment in India. There has been wide acceptance of this model but we don’t know if any other countries have such a model. Maybe some do, but we are not aware of them. In India, however, this is definitely the first such successful attempt at ending what I referred to as the duality in education.<br /><br /><b>Q: Can you expand on this a bit more?<br /><br />A:</b> The universe is a work of God. The Holy Qur’an is the word of God. You will not be able to understand the word of God until — and unless — you understand the work of God. Those who understand the work of God better will also be able to explain the word of God in a better way. There are several verses in the Holy Qur’an that refer to the work of God — the sun, the moon, the galaxy, etc. So those who understand the work of God are in a better position to explain the word of God. Unfortunately, because of the duality of the educational system, we have people who partially understand the work of God, like for instance, someone has done a PhD. in geology. Yet they have no idea what the Qur’an says about geology. There are many people who are experts in medical science but they have no idea what the Qur’an says about embryology and what it says about psychology.<br /><br /><b>Q: You have great insight into the history of Muslims in the Indian subcontinent. In 1947, the Muslim creme de la creme went to Pakistan and left behind a large group of economically and politically weak Muslims. In the last 70 years, do you think the lot of Muslims has become better or worse?<br /><br />A:</b> I feel the situation of Muslims in India has improved a great deal. We have reached this point after a long, arduous, and very tough struggle. The desperation that we see today in some sections of Indian society is because those sections never thought Muslims would survive and resist for so long. It is an act of desperation on their part. Those right-wingers thought they had chased Muslims away into Pakistan and that they were free to do whatever they saw fit to do, but the fierce resistance that came from all justice-loving and peace-loving Indians — what I have called the conscience of India — frustrated their plans. They will continue to fail in the future as well. This is my conviction. There is every possibility that they (the right-wingers) will do something worse, but India will not tolerate it. India will reject it. In fact, such an attempt may lead to a bright future of peace and justice. Thus to answer your questions, I see the overall situation as better.<br /><br /><b>Q: The kind of excesses, like mob lynchings, etc., that we saw in India in recent times, did we have something similar happening over the last 70 years? Of course, we are not talking about the horrors of Partition.<br /><br />A: </b>We have gone through several different stages over the last 70 years. There was a stage when Gandhiji was assassinated and the nation went into shock. The shock became all the more acute when it became clear that the man or men who killed Gandhiji was/were neither Muslim nor Sikh, but Brahmin. The right-wingers were distressed and dejected because of this feeling of guilt (“mujrimana ehsaas“). Unfortunately, the Indian leadership at the time could not convert this national tragedy into a resolve to get rid of the venom that was injected into India’s body politic by the right-wingers. They could not do it and let me say, they did not do it. They could have done it. There was no pushback. In fact, in 1948 Gandhiji was assassinated, and in 1949, idols were placed in Babri Masjid. Pandit Nehru was the prime minister. The chief minister of Uttar Pradesh was a Congressman. There was no other party. The idols could have been easily removed. There would have been no problem. It would have been very easy. This has always been a problem with our secular forces. They do not fight the fascist forces the way they should. They allow them to flourish (“panapne diya unhe“) — perhaps to perpetuate the votebank/election politics. In electoral politics, principles and values become secondary. The real bottom line is an electoral victory so that was one stage. Then there was another stage in 1992 when Babri Masjid was sacked in Ayodhya. That was a very difficult period for Muslims in India, a very, very difficult period. It was felt that Muslims would never be able to live in India again. But then there was, and is, a parallel undercurrent against the fascist forces. This undercurrent does not get much media coverage or exposure so people in the outside world are unaware of it. The important aspect of this undercurrent is that it is very broad-based. It includes people of all religions and all sections of society. They all are fighting against injustice. The opinion-makers among Muslims must understand that this is not a fight between Hindus and Muslims. It can never be and it should never be. It is a fight between the oppressed and the oppressor. The oppressed are in an overwhelming majority in India and the oppressor is in a minority. The outgoing government won a huge majority during the last elections in 2014. And what was their vote share? Thirty-one percent. Which simply means 69 percent of the vote was against this government. This 69 percent was divided among different parties, sections. This time around those who love India and its secular democratic values must try to bring this 69 percent together and avoid divisions among them.<br /><br /><b>Q: One last question: Suppose Narendra Modi and his party win again and he becomes the prime minister, what will be the feeling in India?<br /><br />A:</b> Then, God willing, the spirit of our peaceful struggle against the oppressor will become greater and stronger. Those whose unflinching faith it is that the final decision rests in the hands of Allah will never be, and can never be, depressed or pessimist, come what may. We will fight back. And by “we,” I mean not just Muslims but all the oppressed against the oppressor. I will end this interview with this sentence: We need to learn the fine art of converting challenges into opportunities. Challenges are a precursor to opportunities. This is what we learn from the life and times of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). India will become a bright and fine example of peace and justice. We will have to struggle for that bright India and we will. InshaAllah.<br /><br /><b>Q: On that bright note, thank you very much. It was a pleasure talking to you.<br />A:</b> Thank you.</div>
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Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-15457979669018819662018-06-21T11:10:00.001-07:002018-06-21T11:10:04.427-07:00Italy’s first woman consul general sees a multi-layered, dynamic Saudi society<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqSGZqWho_3lRYb3DkugDuJSbQFmnmljS1xAkC6Bqq_EEnL6AJTt2duayEnJ5DebHQlE56Gsa0JFIGRhsSMm0LizQ0cK_omAdr9F89iEIyTNXzauz6pBuKrxnzDtPqMp90BCifrJ908xB/s1600/Siraj+Wahab+Italian+CG+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqSGZqWho_3lRYb3DkugDuJSbQFmnmljS1xAkC6Bqq_EEnL6AJTt2duayEnJ5DebHQlE56Gsa0JFIGRhsSMm0LizQ0cK_omAdr9F89iEIyTNXzauz6pBuKrxnzDtPqMp90BCifrJ908xB/s400/Siraj+Wahab+Italian+CG+.JPG" width="400" height="267" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a></div><br />
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<b>By Siraj Wahab</b><br />
<i>sirajwahab@arabnews.com</i><br />
<i>Published in <a href="http://www.arabnews.com/node/1064951/saudi-arabia">Arab News</a> on Wednesday, March 8, 2017</i><br />
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She is a rarity in the foreign diplomatic corps in Jeddah. Ever since she arrived in January 2015 for her first foreign posting as Italy’s consul general, Elisabetta Martini has carved a niche for herself and her country through her extraordinary work and outreach efforts. On the eve of International Women’s Day, she spoke to Arab News about the challenges she has faced as a female diplomat, and her observations about Saudi women.<br />
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She chose Saudi Arabia as her diplomatic posting “because it was an extremely challenging post, and that was the hook for me. When somebody throws a challenge at me I immediately accept it. When I was asked to apply for foreign posts, I chose Jeddah.”<br />
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Martini describes Saudi Arabia as “a very powerful country in terms of natural resources, in terms of being a regional power, a country that maintains the regional balance in the Middle East. Before coming here, I knew of Saudi Arabia as a giant that wasn’t fully awake. It has the potential to become the most powerful country in the region.”<br />
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She started her diplomatic career in 2012. She was posted in Rome for two years, where she dealt mostly with European affairs and foreign policy. She graduated in political science and completed her master’s in international relations.<br />
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She interned for six months at the Italian Embassy in Washington, DC, while she was doing research for her final thesis at John Hopkins University. The subject of her thesis was the Silk Road. During her time in the US, she was associated with a well-known Italian think tank, the International Affairs Institute (IAI). “That’s when I realized the importance of think tanks,” she said.<br />
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From the US, Martini moved to Brussels as the assistant of the representative of the Italian Senate at the European Parliament. “That was an extremely useful experience for me,” she said.<br />
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Later, she worked as an export manager for a German design company. “I represented this German firm and I used to sell a lot of their products to mostly Arab clients,” she said. All this experience stood her in good stead. “I got to know the private sector, the powerful role of think tanks and then the public sector,” she said.<br />
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In the first week of her arrival in Jeddah, King Abdullah died. “So change started to happen very quickly. That was another challenge for me, because my first public appearance was to give condolences for the death of the late king in the (presence) of the governor of Makkah,” Martini said.<br />
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“They were all men. There was a discussion between me and my colleagues, and with other consul generals, about how I should be dressed, how I should look… and how I should behave when paying condolences (here). At the same time, it was my first public appearance.” She said she covered her head out of respect for local traditions. “That really went well.”<br />
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On how challenging it is for a female diplomat in a country where women are not the predominant force in public life, she said: “It’s difficult for women, not just a female diplomat, all over the world, not just in Saudi Arabia. In my country, when I deal with my own people as myself and not as a diplomat, I support women’s rights. Everyone should give this contribution to the development of his or her own country.<br />
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“However, one shouldn’t interfere in the policies of other countries. In Italy, there’s a top-down policy that tries to push women into key areas. Women around the world have to work from the bottom up, instead of top-down.”<br />
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She said people in Italy are surprised to know that she is the consul general in Jeddah.<br />
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Regarding Saudi women, Martini said she has seen a lot of changes. “When I came here, I was a bit surprised because the American consul general was a lady before me. The British consul general was a lady some years ago. The German consul general was a lady, so I wasn’t the first lady in the diplomatic service here. The difference was that I was young, so I had to prove myself.<br />
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“Women are more critical toward other women because we know how much we have to fight and struggle for something. But when you see someone has made it to the top, you ask how she achieved it. Maybe because she’s the daughter of an ambassador? They try to belittle your success.”<br />
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Martini said she has interacted with a lot of women here. “Saudi Arabia isn’t one Saudi Arabia. There are different layers of society. There’s a big difference between the various classes of society. Some women who come from opened-minded families don’t have to face any problem. There are women who participate in municipal elections and civic activities.<br />
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“But there are some women who face lot of issues. So there are different layers. There are some women in Saudi Arabia who are more qualified than me and can do whatever job they want. Their fathers, husbands and brothers admire them. It’s amazing. But others have to struggle a lot.”<br />
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As a diplomat, did she encounter conservatives in the Kingdom, and if so how did she deal with it? “In Saudi Arabia, people recognize authority. They have a very strong sense of authority. They might say ‘you’re a lady and young,’ but they know I represent Italy in Jeddah. They have a strong respect for the state. So as far as I’m the consul general, they respect me. Everyone meets with me in a very respectful way.<br />
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“So far, I’ve never met someone who refused to shake my hand. I found Saudis super welcoming. I’m always being welcomed to their houses for big and intimate gatherings. They try to make me feel at ease.”<br />
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About women journalists in Saudi Arabia, Martini said: “It’s very important to encourage female journalists because it’s very important to have their point of view. They’ll always have a different point of view. Only they can understand their issues well.”<br />
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She said in advanced countries, women do not want to celebrate International Women’s Day as they have already reached gender equality. “But for me, this occasion reminds us of the importance of women in society. We need to push the role of professional women in the world. We’re the other 50 percent of society. My message to women is not to rely on the fact that they’re women. They must think of themselves first and foremost as human beings, and go ahead in life.”<br />
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Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-29751274535593138602018-06-20T08:27:00.000-07:002018-06-20T08:27:36.992-07:00US diplomat’s ringside view of a changing Saudi Arabia: Interview with Consul General Matthias J. Mitman<b>• Departing US consul general reflects on witnessing a dynamic transformation during his two years in the Kingdom<br />
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<b>• Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman captures the dynamism that exists within Saudi Arabia, says Mitman</b><br />
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<br />
<b>By Siraj Wahab<br />
</b><i>sirajwahab@arabnews.com</i><br />
<i>Published in <a href="http://www.arabnews.com/node/1320561/saudi-arabia">Arab News</a> on Wednesday, June 13, 2018<br />
</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNP28bpDjfJnDQrA5eIO_o1R6oGz1lSNgp7_TdQjCIlNwntVtzygGRTo3idesOcpzAlC98_yF4yLpOM8DclBHKP-xw0WYsT0Mp7mT1S1vWd57-dS7G4qsrebROFk7z-2LjETBwKqlMBH2n/s1600/ANN_P05_13062018_ED1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNP28bpDjfJnDQrA5eIO_o1R6oGz1lSNgp7_TdQjCIlNwntVtzygGRTo3idesOcpzAlC98_yF4yLpOM8DclBHKP-xw0WYsT0Mp7mT1S1vWd57-dS7G4qsrebROFk7z-2LjETBwKqlMBH2n/s400/ANN_P05_13062018_ED1.jpg" width="264" height="400" data-original-width="1057" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduo6pVdQ1sftF4OtkNl7BwM5HcdZ0j7Rv10RRZi2rJCMuvnnKDsyz2NnwrYUM2NJ8JWHTuxo72SgE0ZgTz52FLFMY5e6h5FndYtcP7CsI0GnQS0NiNmmgNjTnuulTSiq05_7vlBY-py0X/s1600/DSC_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduo6pVdQ1sftF4OtkNl7BwM5HcdZ0j7Rv10RRZi2rJCMuvnnKDsyz2NnwrYUM2NJ8JWHTuxo72SgE0ZgTz52FLFMY5e6h5FndYtcP7CsI0GnQS0NiNmmgNjTnuulTSiq05_7vlBY-py0X/s400/DSC_0115.JPG" width="400" height="267" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a></div>Matthias J. Mitman could not have imagined what was in store when he arrived in Saudi Arabia two years ago to take up his post as the US consul general in Jeddah.<br />
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“I did not anticipate the degree to which change would occur in the Kingdom when I came here in 2016,” he said.<br />
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“The changes have been very rapid. I think they have been welcomed by the vast majority of Saudis, so it has been more than I expected. I think we have developed a very good and solid relationship with our Saudi counterparts, and that has been very useful and productive.”<br />
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Mitman’s job as a diplomat meant that he had a ringside view of these momentous changes. He took time out from his preparations to leave the country — now his posting is almost over — to welcome Arab News to his residence in the US Consulate in Jeddah’s Al-Ruwais district.<br />
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During an exclusive interview, he reflected on his time in the Kingdom and shared his thoughts about an eventful assignment, his impressions of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and his views on the Saudi people — in particular the youth.<br />
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“It has been a very dynamic and interesting period,” he said. “The Saudi Arabia that I came to two years ago is not the Saudi Arabia we are living in today. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has put into place his Vision 2030, which has resulted in remarkable changes in the economic landscape, as well as in the cultural and social environment.<br />
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“I feel very fortunate to have served here in a period when there has been more change than perhaps in any other period in Saudi Arabia.”<br />
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Mitman said the crown prince had impressed him with his leadership, his vision for the country, and his ability to strategically plan its implementation.<br />
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“I have met (the crown prince) and I think he is a very dynamic leader,” he said. “He has a vision for the future of Saudi Arabia. He thinks strategically and he is dedicated to formulating a plan to bring about that vision. He wants to work closely with the United States so we have worked very closely with him on a number of issues related to Vision 2030.<br />
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“I think he captures some of the dynamism that exists within Saudi Arabia — and because the majority of the Saudi population is under the age of 30, that is captured by the support they give to the crown prince.”<br />
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Mitman met many young Saudis during his posting, an experience that gives him confidence for the future of the country.<br />
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“I am very impressed with young Saudis who are interested in working in the private sector, their use of technology, and the fact that they are so familiar with what is going on everywhere,” he said. “I have been very impressed with how knowledgeable they are about world affairs, politics, international trade, and their interest in studying in the United States.”<br />
<br />
Among the many changes that Mitman has witnessed in the past two years, a few stick out as particularly noteworthy.<br />
<br />
“One of the reforms that I have seen is the promotion of the private sector as an engine of growth in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “The Saudi economy was traditionally dependent upon the export of hydrocarbons — oil and gas. Graduates at one time expected to work for the government, and what I have now seen is a vibrancy, dynamism and entrepreneurship, especially in young people who are interested in forming their own companies and businesses. These will be small- and medium-sized enterprises — and in any economy the engine of growth for job creation is people who start out as small businessmen.<br />
<br />
“Apple, Google and Microsoft started out as small companies with one or two people, and in many cases they were working in their garages. Yet now they employ hundreds of thousands of people, and the net worth of a company such as Apple is approaching $1 trillion in capital value. That is what the private sector can do.<br />
<br />
“But the basis of that really is individual entrepreneurship and starting out with your own company, which grows from an idea that uses technology. I see a very strong interest in this among young Saudis. They are very technologically sophisticated. I think that is a very positive sign for the future of the Saudi economy as they will be able to form companies.”<br />
<br />
Ultimately, Mitman said, the Kingdom’s most valuable resource is not oil, but its people. As such, the empowerment of Saudi women is a crucial development.<br />
<br />
“I have visited universities in Madinah, Tabuk, Taif and Abha and I have seen the majority of students are women,” he said. “These women are a tremendous human resource that is skilled, talented and educated.<br />
<br />
“I think one of the most profound changes is the one that enables women now to enter the labor force more easily, with greater flexibility, and part of this is a greater understanding of what is necessary to facilitate women working in the private sector.<br />
<br />
“There is also the transportation issue, and we saw this week women getting their driving licenses. Thus you see a process by which women will have greater independence, freedom to drive themselves, and that will facilitate their being able to work and their entering the labor force.”<br />
<br />
This, he said, “will have very positive long-term benefits for the Saudi economy.”<br />
<br />
A career diplomat with the Senior Foreign Service, Mitman arrived in Jeddah in August 2016. He speaks Greek, Russian, Spanish and some German, and is a distinguished graduate of the National War College, earning an MA in National Security Studies in 2006.<br />
<br />
Prior to his career with the State Department, he was an assistant professor of economics at Ball State University. Before arriving in Jeddah, he was consul general in the Iraqi cities of Irbil and Basra. Earlier in his career, he worked at the US embassies in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and Moscow. <br />
<br />
“Coming (to Jeddah) as consul general was my first assignment here and my first trip to Saudi Arabia,” he said. “Jeddah was a new experience for me and one which I thoroughly enjoyed.”<br />
<br />
Tourism is an important area that the Saudi authorities are keen to develop and promote as part of Vision 2030, and Mitman believes that the Kingdom has plenty to attract visitors.<br />
<br />
“The United States is well-known for its natural beauty,” he said. “Equally, Saudi Arabia has natural attractions and I have visited several of them. I think Madain Saleh is clearly outstanding, and from an archaeological and historical standpoint it is one of the most interesting sites that I have seen. I think it has tremendous potential for tourism development.”<br />
<br />
There is no shortage of opportunities, he said, to develop and promote the Kingdom’s natural beauty.<br />
<br />
“I have gone up to Tabuk and along the Red Sea coast, where there are two of the projects launched by the Crown Prince — Neom and the Red Sea Project. I think both have tremendous potential,” he said. “I own a condominium in Florida, on the state’s Atlantic coast, and the area on the Red Sea is much more beautiful. There is the potential to attract people who want to go scuba diving or who just want to go to the beach.<br />
<br />
“I think there are lots of opportunities in Saudi Arabia and I believe this is one of the crown prince’s priorities, which he has outlined. I think it will take some investment in infrastructure, and US companies have a lot of experience along those lines.<br />
<br />
“I think they will be interested in being part of the hospitality or travel industry, or any industries that facilitate tourism.<br />
<br />
“We already have about 75 travel agencies in the US that organize trips for Americans to come here for Hajj and Umrah, so we are talking about more than 20,000 people from the US who come here every year for religious journeys. The same skills and knowledge in arranging those trips can be used to arrange tourist trips that will appeal to Americans.<br />
<br />
“Most Americans have never traveled to Saudi Arabia. In the past, it was somewhat of a challenge to get a tourist visa, but I think the Saudi government is now looking at ways to make the process easier to facilitate tourists coming to the Kingdom.”<br />
<br />
As part of his work, Mitman met religious leaders and reported back to Washington on evolving attitudes, to give policymakers a more accurate present-day view of the country.<br />
<br />
“I have had very positive and productive discussions with the religious leaders about Islam and I have come away very impressed with their level of tolerance and their emphasis on moderation in the practice of Islam,” he said.<br />
<br />
“I have also been impressed by their understanding of the importance of having friendly relations with Americans. We have about 3 million Muslims living in the United States and there are several thousand mosques there. We brought the imam of one of the Washington, DC, mosques to Saudi Arabia to conduct workshops and to talk about Islam as it is practiced in the United States. He also performed Umrah while he was here.<br />
<br />
“We are always looking for ways in which we can help people understand that we promote freedom of religion in the United States … that is an integral part of what it is to live in America. Many of the first settlers who went to the US hundreds of years ago went there because they faced religious persecution in Europe, and they wanted to go somewhere where they could practice their religion freely.”<br />
<br />
With so many professional obligations, time for recreation was perhaps limited, but Mitman fondly recalls a few highlights.<br />
<br />
“I enjoyed going out on a boat along the coast and snorkeling,” he said. “I enjoy swimming. I have visited a number of cities. In Taif, I walked along the mountains and saw the baboons — I never realized there were baboons in Saudi Arabia. And I visited some of the museums that feature Saudi history and show the cultural development of the Kingdom.”<br />
<br />
Mitman said he is also a big fan of art and had enjoyed exploring Jeddah’s “very vibrant artistic community, with world-class galleries.” He added: “We have worked closely with the Saudi Art Council, chaired by Princess Jawaher (bint Majed bin Abdul Aziz), in bringing Arab-American artists such as Helen Zughaib here and holding an exhibition of her work.”<br />
<br />
With the reopening of cinemas and the Kingdom’s recent participation for the first time in the Cannes Film Festival, it is fitting that Mitman also enjoyed a professional visit by American filmmakers.<br />
<br />
“We brought people from the Hollywood film industry here who are producers and writers and they gave workshops,” he said. “This is important as Saudi Arabia is now creating its own entertainment sector. One of the areas will be film production — and producing films about Saudi Arabia directed by Saudis, acted by Saudis — and so we brought in two Hollywood experts. They went to Effat University, where there is a course in filmmaking, and this was something that I enjoyed a great deal.”<br />
<br />
As his time in Saudi Arabia draws to a close, there are memories Mitman will carry with him.<br />
<br />
“I have been invited into Saudi homes during the month of Ramadan, which is a very special month for all Muslims,” he said. “I have been taken into the homes of many Saudi contacts who have become close friends and who invited me to break the fast and to stay up much later for sahoor. On some nights, I have had iftar in one house and sahoor in another.<br />
<br />
“Those have been special moments because Saudis have opened up their homes and shown me great hospitality. I am not a Muslim but they allowed me to participate and be a part of their celebrations. Those have been very special moments for me as I was away from my family. My wife works in the State Department in Washington and we have two adult children, both of whom are working (abroad).”<br />
<br />
During times of change the role of a healthy media is to monitor and report on events truthfully and fairly. Mitman believes Arab News has a key part to play in this.<br />
<br />
“I think Arab News plays a very important role in reporting developments in Saudi Arabia for the expatriate communities and for people who don’t read Arabic,” he said. “It is one of two newspapers that I read every morning.<br />
<br />
“I have an excellent relationship with Editor in Chief Faisal Abbas. I saw him regularly and we exchanged ideas and had conversations about what was going on in Saudi Arabia.”<br />
<br />
Mitman has a few parting thoughts for Americans and Saudis, based on his time in the Kingdom.<br />
<br />
“For the Americans, I would say if you haven’t visited Saudi Arabia recently you might be pleasantly surprised with the natural beauty, the attractions, and the warmth and hospitality of the people,” he said.<br />
<br />
“To Saudis, I would say thank you for hosting me and allowing me to live for two years in your country. I am grateful for the friendships that I made with many Saudis who helped me to build a bridge between America and the Kingdom. And I thank them for the great cooperation between our two countries in economics, trade and investment.<br />
<br />
“Many Americans are interested in investing in Saudi Arabia and many Saudis are interested in investing in America. The exchange of goods and services between our two countries will continue to grow.”<br />
Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-65014266336014451622016-06-27T11:45:00.000-07:002016-06-27T11:50:00.450-07:00Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — The Face of Saudi Arabia’s Future<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTK-4ETUMH2P8azxjYC7AjIvJDWug3YtEht82xdnAv5KItQ-Xeoc_kiJ_U6onTeYb68of2T7OP1lQPEjruA9082ZBzazbiCFmFB0mNpOcjnO9tHVA1U3uKlzhuyReNM-Y_JwF64zZSyLrH/s1600/25461934464734337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTK-4ETUMH2P8azxjYC7AjIvJDWug3YtEht82xdnAv5KItQ-Xeoc_kiJ_U6onTeYb68of2T7OP1lQPEjruA9082ZBzazbiCFmFB0mNpOcjnO9tHVA1U3uKlzhuyReNM-Y_JwF64zZSyLrH/s400/25461934464734337.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<b>By SIRAJ WAHAB in JEDDAH<br />
</b><br />
WHEN Saudi Arabia’s King Salman named him as the deputy crown prince a year ago, few outside the royal circle knew who Prince Mohammed bin Salman was. The Western media, more specifically journalists in America, scrambled to find more information as it became clear a new younger leadership was emerging in Saudi Arabia.<br />
<br />
One important reason for this lack of information was that he did not go abroad for higher education like most other members of the royal family. He is a product of King Saud University and had remained inside the Kingdom throughout his young life. He was therefore an unknown quantity.<br />
<br />
Complicating matters for the foreign media was that there was very little on the Internet about him except for sparse details about the Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud Foundation (MISK) that he still leads. That was in May 2015. A year later, he has turned out to be Saudi Arabia’s best-kept secret.<br />
<br />
The first hint of Prince Mohammed’s genius was revealed six months later in a column written by Thomas L. Friedman in the New York Times. Entitled, “Letter From Saudi Arabia,” the November 2015 column was based on Friedman’s interview with Prince Mohammed, the young Saudi leader’s first interview with a major foreign media outlet.<br />
<br />
This is how Friedman began his column: “I spent an evening with Mohammed bin Salman at his office (in Riyadh), and he wore me out. With staccato energy bursts, he laid out in detail his plans. His main projects are an online government dashboard that will transparently display the goals of each ministry, with monthly KPIs — key performance indicators — for which each minister will be held accountable. His idea is to get the whole country engaged in government performance. Ministers tell you: Since Prince Mohammed arrived, big decisions that took two years to make now happen in two weeks.”<br />
<br />
As he explained it to Friedman, Prince Mohammed’s plan from the beginning was “to reduce subsidies to wealthy Saudis, who won’t get cheap gas, electricity or water anymore, possibly establish a value-added tax and sin taxes on cigarettes and sugary drinks, and both privatize and tax mines and undeveloped lands in ways that can unlock billions — so even if oil falls to $30 a barrel, Riyadh will have enough revenues to keep building the country without exhausting its savings. He is also creating incentives for Saudis to leave government and join the private sector.”<br />
<br />
“Seventy percent of Saudis are under age 30, and their perspective is different from the other 30 percent,” Prince Mohammed told Friedman. “I am working to create for them the country they want to be living in in the future.”<br />
<br />
That interview was widely discussed inside and outside Saudi Arabia. The young prince instantly became a hero for what he said and planned to do. He immediately struck a chord with the 70 percent of Saudis under the age of 30. In him they saw someone who thought like them and understood their problems, and a leader ready to take action that would insulate the Saudi economy from global risks.<br />
<br />
A series of decisions since then have burnished his image as a no-nonsense leader who says what he means and means what he says. Twitter and other social media have been abuzz with his virtues. Within a few months of his appointment as deputy crown prince, he made high-profile visits to Russia, France and the United States, winning the crucial battle of perception. The media and world leaders started taking note.<br />
<br />
After one meeting, US President Barack Obama said Prince Mohammed surprised him with his crystal clear ideas about the Saudi and global economy, and Saudi Arabia’s relationship with the outside world. Obama said Prince Mohammed had ambition, energy and knowledge of a wide array of complex public policy issues. “He is wise beyond his years,” is how Obama described him after their meeting in May 2015 at the United States-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit at Camp David.<br />
<br />
Since then he has won over his critics and pleasantly surprised his huge number of followers. The path-breaking interview that he gave to Bloomberg in April was the clearest indication of his coming of age. Nothing was off the record in that interview.<br />
<br />
He talked about spending a few days a week at the late King Abdullah’s palace. He tried to push through several new reforms. “It was very difficult to do with the presence of a number of people,” he told Bloomberg. “But I remember to this day there’s nothing I discussed with King Abdullah that he didn’t give the order and implement.”<br />
<br />
The prince, as the Bloomberg interview revealed, divides his time between his father’s palaces and the powerful Defense Ministry that he heads, working from morning until after midnight most days. He has frequent meetings with the king and spends long sessions with consultants and aides poring over economic and oil data.<br />
<br />
He is awakened most mornings by his children, two boys and two girls, ranging in age from one to six. That is the last he sees of them. “Sometimes my wife gets upset with me because I put so much pressure on her for the programs that I want them to have,” he told Bloomberg. “I rely mainly on their mother for their upbringing.”<br />
<br />
Prince Mohammed has only one wife and is not planning on marrying more. His generation is not so into polygamy, he explained. Life is too busy, compared with past eras when farmers could work a few hours a day and warriors could “take spoils once a week and had a lot of spare time.” Working, sleeping, eating, and drinking do not leave a lot of time to open another household, he said. “It is tough [enough] living with one family.”<br />
<br />
That interview and the one he gave to Al-Arabiya TV on the day his pet project Saudi Vision 2030 was announced indicated the arrival of a young and decisive leader in Saudi Arabia. It was frank and full of candor. He did not consult notes while fielding questions from Turki Al-Dakhil.<br />
<br />
Famous columnist Abdulateef Al-Mulhim was highly impressed. “My impression is that he is very confident and aware of the many needs of the Kingdom and its citizens. During the Al-Arabiya interview, he seemed very well-informed about the future path needed to upgrade the standard of life for Saudis. He seemed very transparent in his discussion about the internal issues in Saudi Arabia,” he said.<br />
<br />
Al-Mulhim says young Saudis admire him and adore him. “They are very enthusiastic about seeing someone young and sharp — it is as if he is talking to each and everyone one of them and knows full well what they need.”<br />
<br />
Fahad Nazer, a senior Saudi political analyst with the US-based JTG Inc., said Prince Mohammed has come to symbolize the “new” Saudi Arabia — “more open, more decisive, less risk averse and operating on a much shorter time frame.”<br />
<br />
“Many Saudis — myself included — have found the frank tone he has been using in his media interviews to be refreshing. Prince Mohammed has been very forthcoming in acknowledging the economic challenges that Saudi Arabia is facing. He has also been open about the need to re-evaluate previous policies which have led to an over-reliance on oil and the underdevelopment of other sectors of the economy,” said Nazer.<br />
<br />
Christopher Williams, an American who lived for many years in Saudi Arabia, was ecstatic with the young prince’s frank talk and ambitious vision. “Prince Mohammed was very poised and gave a very positive impression. He was obviously on top of the situation. He had done his homework very thoroughly and was sure of what he wants for Saudi Arabia and how he believes his goals can become reality,” he said.<br />
<br />
Williams thinks he handled the press, both local and foreign, very confidently, referring to the press conference that he held in Riyadh on the night Saudi Vision 2030 was unveiled. “What the foreign press often overlooks is that its opinion is not what is important in Saudi Arabia; there is interest in that opinion of course but ordinary Saudis must be sold and convinced about what the prince aims to do and that is not done by the foreign press. Saudis are his first and primary audience,” Williams added.<br />
<br />
Prince Mohammed is seen as a new Arab hero and Arab News Editor in Chief Mohammed Fahad Al-Harthi described him aptly in his recent column: “Prince Mohammed is a young enlightened man who is behind a project that will serve the country.<br />
<br />
“I once heard him say he had the choice of living the kind of life his circumstances allowed or serving his society no matter the cost. It is clear he made the latter and more difficult choice. As the saying goes, a vision without action is a dream; an action without a vision is a waste of time, but a vision with action can change the world. Saudi Arabia has made an appointment with its future.”<br />
<br />
— sirajwahab@arabnews.comSiraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-721934594377719692013-07-26T07:35:00.000-07:002013-07-26T07:35:42.402-07:00IICC President Sirajuddin Qureshi Exhorts Muslims to Do Away With Begging Bowl Mentality<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhj_nqCPCYJQoM2hmzw5nQ3_AeUUrYN3SkLPAzWS8OQg6whKHzRbxZ5YJ3JZIeQ3ej9nW0SVkVJJwq33gHhprhyWeiHiCvXcn4eRXmiUAk3yGJeDQkQ6Qz2JdQazTJ8j9XNA1zuKawtZM9/s1600/From+left-Mohammed+Ali+Siddiqui%252C+Nadeem+Tarin%252C+Saleh+F.+Al-Nazha%252C+Sirajuddin+Qureshi%252C+Mahboob+Ali+Qaiser%252C+Dr.+Dilnawaz+Roomi+and+Asif+Rameez+Daudi+at+the+event+organized+in+Jubail+recently.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="266" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhj_nqCPCYJQoM2hmzw5nQ3_AeUUrYN3SkLPAzWS8OQg6whKHzRbxZ5YJ3JZIeQ3ej9nW0SVkVJJwq33gHhprhyWeiHiCvXcn4eRXmiUAk3yGJeDQkQ6Qz2JdQazTJ8j9XNA1zuKawtZM9/s400/From+left-Mohammed+Ali+Siddiqui%252C+Nadeem+Tarin%252C+Saleh+F.+Al-Nazha%252C+Sirajuddin+Qureshi%252C+Mahboob+Ali+Qaiser%252C+Dr.+Dilnawaz+Roomi+and+Asif+Rameez+Daudi+at+the+event+organized+in+Jubail+recently.jpg" /></a></div><br />
From left: Mohammed Ali Siddiqui, Nadeem Tarin, Saleh bin Fahad Al-Nazha, Sirajuddin Qureshi, Mahboob Ali Qaiser, Dr. Dilnawaz Roomi and Asif Rameez Daudi at the event organized in Jubail recently.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLOBcNj-7uKapTifUO2D4yR17DhSyYEVRWWcQSPmyVbnk1KYHH7-WfdjoMdTUK8gdIyhSdhiIEMUxVpNwW_FQ0ULZ-VPlvLKGNS9pOtsugAqz_8GPbLCI1yjR51RohmWUage4tOZBNEdw/s1600/Top+Saudi+industrialist+Saleh+F.+Al-Nazha%252C+Sirajuddin+Qureshi%252C+2nd+right%252C+Mahboob+Ali+Qaiser%252C+right%252C+and+Asif+Rameez+Daudi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="266" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLOBcNj-7uKapTifUO2D4yR17DhSyYEVRWWcQSPmyVbnk1KYHH7-WfdjoMdTUK8gdIyhSdhiIEMUxVpNwW_FQ0ULZ-VPlvLKGNS9pOtsugAqz_8GPbLCI1yjR51RohmWUage4tOZBNEdw/s400/Top+Saudi+industrialist+Saleh+F.+Al-Nazha%252C+Sirajuddin+Qureshi%252C+2nd+right%252C+Mahboob+Ali+Qaiser%252C+right%252C+and+Asif+Rameez+Daudi.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Top Saudi industrialist Saleh Fahad Al-Nazha, Sirajuddin Qureshi, 2nd right, Mahboob Ali Qaiser, right, and Asif Rameez Daudi.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9EswF5orNhGjxun23BSROPUnMmhn8FLg9nZtxa-4cBqY29otopL2Yg68Iucie4Cm667hyphenhyphenzg70h06E-OrZ_0BV8M2F3lp7DOxDRxWKB9-TaMonBzS-6UhEnMy2IWTOFX4_4FFBItNccrR/s1600/Sirajuddin+Qureshi%252C+Mahboob+Ali+Qaiser+and+Saleh+F.+Al-Nazha+pose+for+a+group+picture+with+the+event+organizers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="266" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9EswF5orNhGjxun23BSROPUnMmhn8FLg9nZtxa-4cBqY29otopL2Yg68Iucie4Cm667hyphenhyphenzg70h06E-OrZ_0BV8M2F3lp7DOxDRxWKB9-TaMonBzS-6UhEnMy2IWTOFX4_4FFBItNccrR/s400/Sirajuddin+Qureshi%252C+Mahboob+Ali+Qaiser+and+Saleh+F.+Al-Nazha+pose+for+a+group+picture+with+the+event+organizers.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Sirajuddin Qureshi, Mahboob Ali Qaiser and Saleh Fahad Al-Nazha pose for a group picture with the event organizers.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Nobody Wants to Stifle Indian Muslim Community, Says Mahboob Ali Qaiser<br />
</b> <br />
<br />
<b>By SIRAJ WAHAB<br />
</b><i>sirajwahab@arabnews.com</i><br />
<br />
<br />
A top-ranking Saudi industrialist has acknowledged the contribution of the Indian community to the development of Jubail as the world’s leading hub of petrochemical industry.<br />
<br />
<br />
Tasnee President and Chief Operating Officer Saleh Fahad Al-Nazha was speaking at a program organized by Jubail Indian Expats (JIE) to welcome and felicitate Sirajuddin Qureshi, president of the New Delhi-based India Islamic Cultural Center, and Mahboob Ali Qaiser, president of the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee.<br />
<br />
<br />
“Jubail was a small fishing village in the mid-1970s,” said Al-Nazha. “The government decided to convert it into an important petrochemical base in 1979 and the actual industrial activity began in 1982.”<br />
<br />
<br />
Al-Nazha said he came to Jubail in 1982 when he joined Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC). “There were many Indians here; they were among the first contributors to the development of this city,” he said. “On behalf of every Saudi, I thank you all for being the real partners in progress.”<br />
<br />
<br />
There was a thunderous applause from the assembled audience that included some of the best-known Indian expatriates such as Nadeem Tarin, Mohammed Ali Siddiqui, Asif Rameez Daudi, Anis Bakhsh, Meraj A. Ansari, Dr. Dilnawaz Roomi, Amjad Khan, Habib Shaikh, Mohammed Abdulsattar, Rahat Sultan and Parvez Askari.<br />
<br />
<br />
Al-Nazha expressed total admiration for India and Indians. “I have been to many countries but the one thing that always stood out during my visits to India was the ubiquitous scene at the major traffic intersections,” he said. “Here, in the Gulf, we see people selling bottled water at traffic intersections because it is a hot and humid here, in other countries people sell newspapers, but in India they sell business books at traffic lights; that is something amazing, and speaks volumes about the country’s culture of knowledge.”<br />
<br />
<br />
Sirajuddin Qureshi, in whose honor the event was organized, exhorted members of the Indian Muslim community to do away with what he described as the “begging bowl mentality.”<br />
<br />
<br />
“We should depend on the government only up to a point,” he said. “We should not become totally dependent on it because that will stunt our growth.”<br />
<br />
<br />
Qureshi recalled his various suggestions to many government commissions that were tasked with improving the lot of Indian Muslims. “The Sachar commission report has shown us in very negative light and so did the Ranganath Misra commission report; it is not that the government is not aware of our problems; they have known it for the last 60 years and it will take them another 600 years to solve them,” he quipped in a note of sarcasm.<br />
<br />
<br />
Qureshi advised Indian Muslims to work hard and concentrate on education. “You, Indian expatriates, who have risen to top positions in your chosen field here in Saudi Arabia, you did not bank on government support, your success is yours, you worked hard for it and achieved it, you are the best example and the real inspiration for the rest of the community in India,” he said.<br />
<br />
<br />
He said things move grindingly slow in India. “The decision to establish the India Islamic Cultural Center was taken in the early 1980s. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi performed the ground-breaking ceremony in 1984, but the actual center was completed only in 2006,” he said. “It took us 22 long years to bring it to fruition.”<br />
<br />
<br />
Nobody took the project seriously, he lamented. “I would pass by this prime land every day and would wonder why was it not being completed. As a member of the center’s founding committee I always impressed upon my fellow members the need for completing the project because it did not reflect positively on the community,” he said.<br />
<br />
<br />
Qureshi praised Asif Daudi, the architect of the program, for creating awareness about the center among the Indian expatriates in the Eastern Province. “I urge you all to become full-time members of this center; visit our website (http://www.iiccentre.org/) for details; I have special interest in NRIs (non-resident Indians) because they are apolitical; I want to save the center from any possible politicization,” he said.<br />
<br />
<br />
The highly articulate and suave politician from Bihar, Mahboob Ali Qaiser, congratulated the Jubail Indian community for coming together for a good and constructive cause.<br />
<br />
<br />
“India is a multi-religious, multi-social, multi-culture nation and the center is the best example of that,” he said. “We as a community need to focus on education so that we can project the true picture and true essence of Islam to other communities.”<br />
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<br />
Qaiser agreed that there was bias against Muslims in India but said that has not stopped hard-working Muslims from going ahead in life.<br />
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<br />
“Fifteen percent Muslims are competing with a community that constitutes 85 percent of the country, so naturally Muslims will have to be extremely good, extremely hard-working to succeed, and success will come just as it has come to the highly-positioned Indians here in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “Nobody in India wants the community to be stifled.”<br />
<br />
<br />
Educationist Nadeem Tarin, who runs a number of prestigious educational institutions in India and Saudi Arabia, spoke about the importance of education to the well being of the community.<br />
<br />
<br />
Syed Baqar Naqvi conducted the proceedings with poise and grace.<br />
<br />
<br />
Asif Daudi thanked all members of JIE’s core committee, including Mohammad Shibli, Mohammed Farooque Shahbandri, Abdul Haleem, Mufeeduzzama, Nasiruddin, Jamil Akhter, Imteyaz Khan, Aziz Siddiqui, Javed Ashraf, Asif Siddiqui, Shahnawaz, Khalili, Naveed and Sajid for the program’s success.<br />
Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-12401247090206124082012-08-29T09:23:00.002-07:002013-06-24T07:31:03.146-07:00A Note About Saudi Women and Their Positive Contribution to the Development of Saudi Arabia<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">By SIRAJ WAHAB<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style:italic;">Published in Arab News on Thursday, September 23, 2010<br /><br /></span><br /><br />As Saudi Arabia celebrates its National Day today, there is a significant section of the population that has reasons to cheer more than others. Not that the women of Saudi Arabia were marginalized in the past, but in recent times they have been given the honor, credit and the space that they richly deserve. Saudi society has been a little more welcoming of their pursuits and initiatives. Government institutions have grown more responsive to their needs, and the media have become more vocal, both in reporting their successes and failures. The leadership at the top provided the incentive by appointing a woman as minister. The private sector hasn’t been far behind — opening the doors of their establishments to these women who have achievements that would have been unimaginable a few years ago.<br /><br /><br /><br />Not a day goes by where you don’t see talented Saudi women making important contributions in almost all fields of endeavor. Their faces, beaming with pride, adorn the pages and covers of prestigious publications. Foreign journalists visiting the Kingdom, with preconceived notions about Saudi women, have not hidden their appreciation and admiration of Saudi women after meeting them in person. Many have described them as second to none. And yes, they are second to none.<br /><br /><br /><br />To the Western world all these changes may sound insignificant, but for those who have been watching the Kingdom’s development over the last few years these are no proverbial mirages in the desert. To those in the West, the barometer for women’s emancipation is the ability to drive on Saudi roads. However, that is not the most pressing issue for Saudi women. There are other more important things, and they have learned to work within the system to get things done their way. For a Western observer the image of a Saudi woman is that of an abaya-clad prisoner who can do nothing on her own and is completely subservient to the whims of her male masters. That is certainly not the case, and newspapers here and abroad and social networking sites such as Facebook are proof that Saudi women are making slow yet continuous progress.<br /><br /><br /><br />Only last month, the newspapers were filled with the success of equestrienne Dalma Rushdi Malhas who rode her way to fame with a medal-winning performance at the recent Singapore Youth Olympics.<br /><br /><br /><br />Among the first people to reach flood-hit Pakistan with relief was Muna Abu-Sulayman. She was among those coordinating the massive relief efforts undertaken by Kingdom Holding Co. Chairman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.<br /><br /><br /><br />Hayat Sindi is breaking new grounds in the field of science; Huda Ghosun and Hiba Dialdin of Saudi Aramco have assumed key leadership positions; Asya Al-Ashaikh has given a new and positive direction to the concept of corporate social responsibility. Nora Alturki and Fatin Bundagji are engaged in pioneering research on the needs and aspirations of Saudi businesswomen; Samia El-Edrissi has launched her own business; Amina Al-Jassim’s couture has become the cynosure of all eyes in the world of fashion; Lina Almaeena has created quite a buzz with her passion for bringing women into the world of sports; Hatoon Al-Fassi, the historian, and Samar Fatany, the columnist and radio commentator, have become the most-quoted people for their insightful comments; Lama Sulaiman, Hana Al-Zuhair and Sameera Al-Suwaigh are part of key decision-making within the Kingdom’s chambers of commerce. The list is endless, and it only goes to prove that they are taking the lead and conquering new territories.<br /><br /><br /><br />All this would not have been possible without the critical push from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. He brought them into the mainstream. He lent them a patient ear and understood the challenges they faced. Once the direction from the top was clear, there were other segments of society which saw the need to engage and harness this great potential.<br /><br /><br /><br />“It is important for us to remember that the Saudi girl has been struggling for years to redefine her role in society — not only in the workplace and at school but, most important of all, in our collective consciousness and our collective perceptions of what she is and what paths are open to her and what paths should be open to her,” said a prominent Saudi journalist. “What these women sought and what they wanted was not ‘liberation’ in the Western sense of the word. They were seeking — and they attained — the right to do and be what they wanted to do and be; they wanted the same doors open to them as were open to their brothers and other Saudi men.”<br /><br /><br /><br />There is an interesting joke that all of us hear during free-wheeling conversations here in Saudi Arabia. For the first 25 years of their life, a Saudi man is controlled by his mother; the next 25 years he is firmly in the grip of his wife. And then he becomes harmless!<br /><br /><br /><br />That may be a joke, but Saudi women have come a long way and so widespread with their success that they will become common and no longer merit front-page treatment.<br /><br />Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-6642584096680829612012-08-12T15:18:00.002-07:002012-08-12T15:21:41.227-07:00Makkah Summit 2012: OIC Set to Expel Murderous Syria<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhib0ETVZgca_6-IZuLL_yMYq8eEEyxiQV0UbhznhyX3i1Yhve6o0w-bnas9YwdN7dSNE1dSOpqLWM_lsjcvDI0bqcRYq_xVxmVFlHzFv52dSKg2LD2A4jeWGPukJSllvNsgbeLOd8a7hlm/s1600/Makkah+Summit+Siraj+Wahab.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhib0ETVZgca_6-IZuLL_yMYq8eEEyxiQV0UbhznhyX3i1Yhve6o0w-bnas9YwdN7dSNE1dSOpqLWM_lsjcvDI0bqcRYq_xVxmVFlHzFv52dSKg2LD2A4jeWGPukJSllvNsgbeLOd8a7hlm/s400/Makkah+Summit+Siraj+Wahab.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5775915205407635282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OnYQiJrA8kY8HxLetcRFJo4TZIzQnWLfQTKojbRlfSj7acQ-VxmAbv-0kM2Xl4PseJpj-pL_x-zBOnAmb0_ZogxpgIIaoYKao8TPX5_5dVS2e-eSmiKaYZUG__Ytf5p_MqEB51ce2T6O/s1600/Makkah+Summit+Siraj+Wahab+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OnYQiJrA8kY8HxLetcRFJo4TZIzQnWLfQTKojbRlfSj7acQ-VxmAbv-0kM2Xl4PseJpj-pL_x-zBOnAmb0_ZogxpgIIaoYKao8TPX5_5dVS2e-eSmiKaYZUG__Ytf5p_MqEB51ce2T6O/s400/Makkah+Summit+Siraj+Wahab+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5775915194752636818" /></a><br />OIC Foreign Ministers Meet in Jeddah on Monday, Aug. 13<br /><br />By <span style="font-weight:bold;">SIRAJ WAHAB</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Published in Arab News on Monday, Aug. 13, 2012</span><br /> <br />The 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is all set to expel Syria. This is to express the pan-Islamic body’s displeasure at President Bashar Assad regime’s failure to end the bloodshed in his country.<br /> <br />The decision is being described as one of the key outcomes of the two-day Islamic solidarity summit beginning in Makkah on Aug. 14.<br /> <br />The recommendation to suspend Syria was taken at a preparatory meeting of senior diplomats of OIC member countries at the Conference Palace in Jeddah yesterday. The highly significant recommendation will now be presented to the OIC foreign ministers at their meeting in Jeddah today (Monday). Their decision will be final.<br /> <br />Syria’s expulsion from the OIC will complete Assad’s total isolation in the Muslim world. The 22-member Arab League expelled Syria in November last year during its emergency session in Cairo.<br /> <br />The preparatory meeting, chaired by Muhammad bin Ahmed Tayeb, director general of the Saudi Foreign Ministry’s office in Makkah Province, lasted nearly 12 hours. It included Iranian ambassador to Saudi Arabia and its permanent representative to the OIC.<br /> <br />Syrian officials were not invited to the meeting. This led the Iranian envoys to raise objections. “The Syrians are still part of the OIC, and, therefore, they should have been invited to the preparatory meeting,” one of the diplomats quoted the Iranians as saying. However, there were few takers for the Iranian view.<br /> <br />With Iran continuing to support the tottering Assad regime, it found itself totally isolated. The recommendation to expel Syria found instant favor from an overwhelming majority of OIC countries, including hosts Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar.<br /> <br />“Iran has refused to see the writing on the wall and continues to support a regime that has lost the moral ground to continue in power,” said an Arab diplomat. “This was a good opportunity for Iran to go along with the sentiments of the majority of the Muslim world.”<br /> <br />However, the diplomats attending the marathon meeting, reiterated that the session was not acrimonious. On the contrary, there was a lot of camaraderie among all the member states. Other than its expected stand on Syria, Iran demonstrated willingness to cooperate fully with fellow Muslim states on almost all issues, including Palestine, and repeatedly stated that the OIC should remain the bedrock of Muslim solidarity.<br /> <br />Some nations, notably Kazakhstan, Iraq and Pakistan, suggested that efforts should not be given up to find a political solution to the crisis in Syria.<br /> <br />There were divergent opinions among the member countries on the issue of the genocide of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. One section called for a strong condemnation and rapid reaction, while the other, that included Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Bangladesh, suggested a policy of engagement with Myanmar.<br /> <br />“The Asian nations felt that since the Myanmar government had indicated full cooperation with the Muslim world body, it should be given a chance to come good on its promise of delivering justice and bringing the murderers to book,” said an Asian diplomat.<br /> <br />Mali was not supposed to be on the agenda, but almost all African member states vociferously raised the issue of the unprecedented political crisis in the landlocked west African country. And so finally it was decided to include it in the deliberations.<br /> <br />The meeting recommended that the territorial integrity of the country be respected by all parties and that those who are flying the flag of rebellion against the central government should be stopped and condemned.<br /> <br />At the preparatory meeting, OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu’s message was read out by Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Abdullah Alem.<br /> <br />Besides political issues, the meeting discussed cultural and economic issues, interfaith dialogue initiatives and the rising tide of Islamophobia in Europe and other parts of the world. All these issues will find mention in the final communique.<br /><br />-- sirajwahab@arabnews.comSiraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-13081977884981244422012-08-11T19:47:00.003-07:002012-08-11T19:51:28.095-07:00Ensuring Justice for Myanmar Muslims Tops Makkah Summit Agenda<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFnG2ChbtKlA5Y0iEZnNAYWflX06QwFe-y_A6y2gvhPRRFqCpdGi1wUwUE04AO9F4f4V6mUBq3hL2n3fq_VnZ0maTtgAzilCtNZ8WBa8pQ6n1DOt3L7xCRu4Iq2ViPDaToUdTquJ5VlW9/s1600/Siraj+Wahab+Makkah+Summit+2012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFnG2ChbtKlA5Y0iEZnNAYWflX06QwFe-y_A6y2gvhPRRFqCpdGi1wUwUE04AO9F4f4V6mUBq3hL2n3fq_VnZ0maTtgAzilCtNZ8WBa8pQ6n1DOt3L7xCRu4Iq2ViPDaToUdTquJ5VlW9/s400/Siraj+Wahab+Makkah+Summit+2012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5775613562959225826" /></a><br /><br /><br />Pressure Tells on Military Junta in Myanmar<br /> <br />By <span style="font-weight:bold;">SIRAJ WAHAB</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Published in Arab News on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012<br /></span> <br /><br />The ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar is one of the key issues to be discussed at the Islamic solidarity summit convened by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah in Makkah on Aug. 14-15.<br /> <br />With just two days to go for the conclave of the world’s most important Muslim leaders in the most holy city, pressure is mounting on Myanmar’s military junta to allow international and Islamic relief agencies access to the besieged Muslim population of the Arakan province.<br /> <br />Two important delegations to Myanmar — one led by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and the other by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation — this week have revealed signs of panic and desperation among the junta’s top leadership.<br /> <br />“They have been caught out and have now realized that what they have done to Rohingya Muslims constitutes a war crime,” one of the diplomats at the Jeddah-based OIC told Arab News.<br /> <br />“There is no doubt that the state was and possibly still is involved in the planned pogrom of Arakan Muslims, and they are now trying to reach out to the Muslim world to lessen the impact of the expected robust and unified Muslim response at the Makkah summit,” he said.<br /> <br />Besides Davutoglu, the Turkish delegation included Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s wife Emine and daughter Sumeyye. The delegation called on Myanmar President U Thein Sein and Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin and visited the Banduba refugee camp where more than 8,500 Rohingya Muslims have taken shelter.<br /> <br />The delegates received a first-hand account of what exactly happened to the Rohingya Muslims in the last few weeks. They talked to a number of victims and, at one point, according to reports in the Turkish media, the prime minister’s wife was reduced to tears while listening to a harrowing account of a Rohingya Muslim woman.<br /> <br />Davutoglu later told journalists that he would present his findings to the Muslim leaders at the Makkah summit. His findings will hold the key to the future course of action from the Muslim world at the summit.<br /> <br />According to a top Jeddah-based diplomat, there are a number of measures that the Muslim world can think of against Myanmar.<br /> <br />“We can haul the country’s top military leadership, including President Thein Sein and the Arakan provincial head, to the International Court of Justice in The Hague and try them like Slobodan Milosevic and other Serbian leadership,” he said. “Among the other viable options are that of approaching the UN Security Council and UN Human Rights Council.”<br /> <br />The diplomat also hinted at pressurizing and persuading the world’s leading powers to constitute an international peace-keeping force to save the Rohingya Muslims from being obliterated and uprooted from their historic homeland.<br /> <br />The OIC delegation to Myanmar was headed by former Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla. Among others, it included OIC Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Atta Manan Bakhiet and presidents of the Qatari Red Crescent and Kuwaiti International Humanitarian Commission.<br /> <br />The OIC delegates apprised President Thein Sein of the outrage in the Muslim world at the deplorable humanitarian conditions in the Arakan province of Myanmar.<br /> <br />The delegation asked for access to Muslim humanitarian organizations to provide emergency aid to inhabitants of the worst-hit Arakan province “without any religious discrimination.”<br /> <br />According to a press-note issued by the OIC yesterday, Myanmar president welcomed the OIC delegation and stated that that what had happened was not a direct result of religious differences. Instead, he blamed the massacre on what he called as “social problems between various ethnicities in the province.”<br /> <br />Thein Sein pointed out to the OIC delegates that the international media distorted the events and presented wrong information and exaggerated the killings.<br /> <br />“President Thein Sein stressed his eagerness for the Muslim world in particular to know the truth about what occurred in Arakan, and he mentioned that he had sent an invitation to OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu recently to visit Myanmar to observe the real situation in the affected province,” said the OIC press note.<br /> <br />The president welcomed the OIC humanitarian delegation to Arakan and agreed to allow the OIC and its partner organizations to provide humanitarian aid to the province in an urgent manner and to open an office in the region in coordination with the central government in Yangon and the local authorities in the province. He instructed the relevant ministries to sign an agreement with the OIC to complete the arrangements.Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-53851549834476002102012-08-06T15:55:00.002-07:002012-08-06T15:56:27.406-07:00Makkah 2012 -- the Heart of Islam<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjow3ZvBh_tYmDyamh7XdvrujTgW2GWiWzpnbvcMh_IF8BX5xvXqsyZ6hiUY1hYWWFwZKWQO2mUpCT8t1YcWMa5ZHVnC1LhS9-DLbQ9C9-bMQ0AzHBFhaYuGNzR8oTRC7u5YEb7QSFWLEyX/s1600/Makkah+2012+The+Heart+of+Islam.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjow3ZvBh_tYmDyamh7XdvrujTgW2GWiWzpnbvcMh_IF8BX5xvXqsyZ6hiUY1hYWWFwZKWQO2mUpCT8t1YcWMa5ZHVnC1LhS9-DLbQ9C9-bMQ0AzHBFhaYuGNzR8oTRC7u5YEb7QSFWLEyX/s400/Makkah+2012+The+Heart+of+Islam.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773697804022748162" /></a>Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-17878708956266519172012-08-06T06:35:00.007-07:002012-08-06T15:59:41.213-07:00Talmiz Ahmad's Book Counters Samuel Huntington’s Clash of Civilization Theory<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8NbwZAnQrxVs1BQUVJgnWJYzRzKHsDcswt1TftFIjNDvNHgzwkIihCbGToMIMXCm_zOyvh1wSBTSmaDwN5cgop2QQS8dqI6EH_D1lIW2OR1KycASR6MAycsweSfElODDsFinKXOMyim2/s1600/Talmiz+Ahmad+book+launch+report+in+The+Sunday+Gaurdian.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8NbwZAnQrxVs1BQUVJgnWJYzRzKHsDcswt1TftFIjNDvNHgzwkIihCbGToMIMXCm_zOyvh1wSBTSmaDwN5cgop2QQS8dqI6EH_D1lIW2OR1KycASR6MAycsweSfElODDsFinKXOMyim2/s400/Talmiz+Ahmad+book+launch+report+in+The+Sunday+Gaurdian.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773563474002820018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHS09konXLALaIUBxEvCJw6td9mH8-M1xBEuNNWI3qcf8VSFYFbt8VKtxnirRRuh1fj7tkV6ei2hlbJmeFYcDKCzoc6_5Z7OoCmUWaMGVgGQo3K0zTkc5rdKzQnrFqGWn3FcUr3K6fsRv/s1600/Ranjit+Gupat+releasing+Talmiz+Ahmad%2527s+book+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHS09konXLALaIUBxEvCJw6td9mH8-M1xBEuNNWI3qcf8VSFYFbt8VKtxnirRRuh1fj7tkV6ei2hlbJmeFYcDKCzoc6_5Z7OoCmUWaMGVgGQo3K0zTkc5rdKzQnrFqGWn3FcUr3K6fsRv/s400/Ranjit+Gupat+releasing+Talmiz+Ahmad%2527s+book+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773559732159203154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-p5-P5H5IzUyd06tWJ5YucKiQm5OcuacpZSOa4rvsIMoRYZ1gUGURcolmZz_DLKaRnAv9vf4fheapYduAhgwr09W6UQAbmOkn7NLF5omK-AyBvVFm9p31240hauSiiMA3aE-JeF48Pv2/s1600/Ranjit+Gupat+releasing+Talmiz+Ahmad%2527s+book.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-p5-P5H5IzUyd06tWJ5YucKiQm5OcuacpZSOa4rvsIMoRYZ1gUGURcolmZz_DLKaRnAv9vf4fheapYduAhgwr09W6UQAbmOkn7NLF5omK-AyBvVFm9p31240hauSiiMA3aE-JeF48Pv2/s400/Ranjit+Gupat+releasing+Talmiz+Ahmad%2527s+book.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773559725495305650" /></a><br /><br />"Children of Abraham at War"<br /><br />By <span style="font-weight:bold;">SIRAJ WAHAB</span> | RIYADH<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Published in The Sunday Guardian and <a href="http://www.arabnews.com/node/362913">Arab News</a> on Dec. 12, 2010<br /></span><br />The new book Children of Abraham at War by Indian ambassador Talmiz Ahmad was hailed as an unbiased counterpoint to Samuel Huntington’s The Clash of Civilizations, at its launch in the Saudi capital this week. Ahmad worked on the book for more than five years. “Its origins lay in the concern that, after 9/11, Western, particularly US, discourse was increasingly demonising Islam — the religion, and Muslims — the people,” he said during his presentation.<br /><br />“Bernard Lewis’ two books, What Went Wrong? and The Crisis of Islam, were readily seized upon by the American public and had considerable impact in solidifying the prejudices and animosities of Western readers with regard to Islam and Muslims,” Ahmad said. “Such a broad-brush approach denied all political context or legitimacy to Muslim grievances and did not attempt to take into account the complexity of Islamic history and contemporary politics and culture.”<br /><br />Veteran Indian regional expert Ranjit Gupta praised the book for its perspective. “The title of this book reminds one of another book, much celebrated when it first hit the stands, Samuel Huntington’s The Clash of Civilizations. To me it appears that the author of that book had already decided his conclusions before commencing writing and then worked backwards to offer rationalisations,” Gupta told an audience of Indian, Saudi and foreign nationals gathered at the Indian embassy in Riyadh. “It reeked of arrogance, the tendency to see all right on one’s own side and all wrong on the other, the self-assured, conviction that “my civilisation is superior to yours, yours is narrow minded, bigoted and doomed to be defeated in the looming and inevitable clash of civilizations’.”<br /><br />Gupta said Ahmad’s work presented a more accurate view of events absent of Western tendencies to vilify Islam and the Arab people. “Due to the Western domination of the world during the past two centuries, Western parameters and narratives of discourse have set the standard of what is right and what is wrong. Since the West essentially controls the media and the flow and interpretation of information it becomes extremely difficult for a more balanced viewpoint to get traction,” Gupta said. “In Ahmad’s scholarly and impeccably researched effort, which for additional credibility is based overwhelmingly on Western sources, we see the beginnings of the breaching of these bastions.”<br /><br />He likened Ahmad to a walking encyclopaedia on the Middle East and its many issues. “This is manifested in his learned articles, in books and journals, his speeches and presentations at umpteen professional forums,” Gupta said. “He is among India’s top two or three experts on the Gulf region.”<br /><br />Amid the commendations for the five years of research for the 476-page book was one lament about the duration of the project “I hope it won’t take him five years for another book,” Ahmad’s wife, Sunita Ahmad, said to a smiling audience. “This book kept him away from me for quite awhile.”Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-63698800647819728042012-06-17T02:49:00.002-07:002012-06-17T02:52:46.953-07:00May Allah Have Mercy on Crown Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhPLn4v98yVN6gFeDEPpsKnznhZPo_lhKxap43olJ5qX2aV4kurbDWQjOH8GpanFnETmhECR9yNHvnd3FBdseZ4poEf1TaVeXcpFrC9lQS7iN5hG_Sc2imj1spi8iVkVVu9rL_5F8giOk/s1600/Crown+Prince+Naif.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhPLn4v98yVN6gFeDEPpsKnznhZPo_lhKxap43olJ5qX2aV4kurbDWQjOH8GpanFnETmhECR9yNHvnd3FBdseZ4poEf1TaVeXcpFrC9lQS7iN5hG_Sc2imj1spi8iVkVVu9rL_5F8giOk/s400/Crown+Prince+Naif.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5754940967255660210" /></a>Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-3669591035136125682012-05-29T10:23:00.000-07:002012-05-29T10:24:03.875-07:00Glimpses of Arab News Haj Coverage 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7dOB_wvnpnB3LpJ3Ut4rddUvY25eDp8KkCogjFqWHaAAj2J6C26ON-GGuwbHiUNFoBT9geP1iNijCC4Yms9GKSh1Fn-TTGiKN1R4TJLX3HewCCs9_p5ZmmjZihMP6XbKJ3R0z2LH7ujM/s1600/Glimpses+of+Arab+News+Haj+Coverage+2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7dOB_wvnpnB3LpJ3Ut4rddUvY25eDp8KkCogjFqWHaAAj2J6C26ON-GGuwbHiUNFoBT9geP1iNijCC4Yms9GKSh1Fn-TTGiKN1R4TJLX3HewCCs9_p5ZmmjZihMP6XbKJ3R0z2LH7ujM/s400/Glimpses+of+Arab+News+Haj+Coverage+2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5748007259405477842" /></a>Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-87586194316280696492012-05-29T10:10:00.000-07:002012-05-29T10:11:54.217-07:00Arab News 2010 Haj Front Page<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdybgX61hjMN1gMDzkZ0uNJzEPQiG2g3yDtYav3G05GuLAlVkDcv25kla2asptySYqwUdo86WOXor4Bt4PWIYqQ58pvsYFkM3S3N7UeJe7mRWdfEIszmch_Pi0yMQmzSszhd5-GCoKhW0/s1600/Arab+News+2010+Haj+Front+Page.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdybgX61hjMN1gMDzkZ0uNJzEPQiG2g3yDtYav3G05GuLAlVkDcv25kla2asptySYqwUdo86WOXor4Bt4PWIYqQ58pvsYFkM3S3N7UeJe7mRWdfEIszmch_Pi0yMQmzSszhd5-GCoKhW0/s400/Arab+News+2010+Haj+Front+Page.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5748004097391531298" /></a>Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-20849491466340641582012-04-01T17:15:00.006-07:002012-04-01T17:30:32.841-07:00Top Pakistani Poets Regale Jeddah Expatriates at Aalami Urdu Markaz Mushaira<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWy1bFIiriJLBLZzzBAdVk6tSOanK9Ebg83ixjICt_-fqeaIIGBGAG4-G-8p72VZfU4NjrHoC6q3mxylv_VXcZmVTQsqCCPwMW80DtrmPd26W6Uehko65kPoC7goAIMtj4x7jNdzOE3h-/s1600/Aalami+Urdu+Markaz+Annual+Mushaira+2011.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726591969075712066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWy1bFIiriJLBLZzzBAdVk6tSOanK9Ebg83ixjICt_-fqeaIIGBGAG4-G-8p72VZfU4NjrHoC6q3mxylv_VXcZmVTQsqCCPwMW80DtrmPd26W6Uehko65kPoC7goAIMtj4x7jNdzOE3h-/s400/Aalami+Urdu+Markaz+Annual+Mushaira+2011.jpeg" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Pakistani Consul General Abdul Salik Khan, center, with visiting Pakistani poets and Aalami Urdu Markaz executives in Jeddah on Thursday, March 31, 2011.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>By Siraj Wahab<br /></strong><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Published in <a href="http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article339485.ece">Arab News </a>on April 2, 2011<br /></em></span><br />JEDDAH: A range of poets from Pakistan, including some of the most famous names in the Urdu world, regaled hundreds of expatriates at a mushaira (poetry recitation evening) organized by the Aalami Urdu Markaz at the Pakistan International School in Jeddah's Aziziya district on Thursday, March 31, 2011.<br /><br />Such was the interest and enthusiasm among the listeners that they remained glued to their seats in the packed school auditorium throughout the five-hour event, cheering the poets and egging them on to recite more through a chorus of wah-wahs (appreciations).<br /><br />This was the fourth annual mushaira conducted by a dedicated team of Pakistani expatriates in Jeddah led by Ather Nafees Abbasi and supported fully by the Pakistani Consulate.<br /><br />In attendance were more than a dozen poets. It was nothing short of a treat listening to all of them but the elderly Sarshar Siddiqui, the erudite Sahar Ansari, the genius Iftekhar Arif, the romantic Peerzada Qasim, the refreshing Saleem Kausar and the soul-stirring Dr. Khurshid Rizvi were the pick of the day. Each one of them lent their magic to making the evening one of the most memorable ones. The fact that these six poets were sharing the same stage was eminently gratifying.<br /><br />They weaved their delicate thoughts in words with such precision that the listeners were left astounded at the poets’ craft. Since poets have their fingers on the pulse of society and since they are the first ones to hear the beat of bruised humanity, every listener was eagerly waiting for them to translate the trials and tribulations and the fears and frustrations through their couplets. The poets did not disappoint them.<br /><br />Iftekhar Arif struck the right chord among the audience. In what can be surmised as an oblique reference to the series of drone attacks along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, he told of the helplessness of his countrymen through his lines: "Muqqadar Ho Gaya Hai Be-Dar-o-Deewar Rehna/Kaheen Tai Paa Chuka Hai Shehr Ka Mismar Rehna; Tamasha Karne Waale Aa Rahen Hain Jokh Dar Jokh/Gir-o-He Pa Ba-Jawlan Raqs Par Tayaar Rehna."<br /><br />Master wordsmith that he is, Iftekhar Arif then went on about the emptiness and rootlessness that one experiences in one's own city: "Teri Shorida Mizaaji Ke Sabab Tere Nahi/Aye Mere Shehr Tere Log Bhi Ab Tere Nahi; Maine Ek Aur Bhi Mehfil Me Unhe Dekha Hai/Ye Jo Tere Nazar Aate Hain Ye Sab Tere Nahi."<br /><br />Sahar Ansari is considered to be an authority in different genres of Urdu literature. Be it poetry or literary criticism, he enjoys a unique status. A highly decorated poet, he was chairman of Karachi University's Urdu Department for many decades. His couplets demonstrated why he is revered, respected and adored with such intensity by Urdu lovers. The pick being: "Sada Apni Rawish Ahl-e-Zamana Yaad Rakhte Hain/Haqeeqat Bhool Jaate Hain Fasana Yaad Rakhte Hain; Hame Andaza Rehta Hai Hamesha Dost Dushman Ka/Nishaani Yaad Rakhte Hain Nishana Yaad Rakhte Hain."<br /><br />Even at 85, Sarshar Siddiqui was at his delightful best, rendering his meaningful poems in a refreshing idiom. “Doston Se Ye Mili Daad Wafadaari Ki/Tohmaten Sar Pe Liye Phirte Hain Ghaddari Ki; Sirf Ek Shaksh Tha Jisne Mera Dil Toda Tha/Maine Kyun Saare Zamaane Ki Dil Azaari Ki; Kuchh Munafiq Bhi Mere Halqa-e-Ahbaab Me The/So Maine Bhi Unse Mohabbat Ki Adakari Ki.”<br /><br />Dr. Khurshid Rizvi's couplets reflected his deep insight into the human psyche and the complexities of a multilayered life. His phraseology, his idiom, his medium and his diction were all very impressive and had an air of authority. His flawless creativity was unparalleled. "Ham Ahl-e-Junu Hain Hamen Faaregh Na Samajhna/Kar Jayenge Wo Jiska Iraada Nahi Hoga; Ab Umr Ka Anjaam Hai Ab Kaaheka Dar Hai/Jo Kuch Ke Huwa Usse Ziyada Nahi Hoga."<br /><br />It was very difficult to decide to whom the evening actually belonged. However, many would agree that it was Karachi University Vice Chancellor Peerzada Qasim who was the crowning glory. He kept the listeners spellbound. His mellifluous rendering of highly lyrical couplets added to the beauty of his craft. Every single couplet that he recited was worth quoting. No wonder everyone was swooning and crooning after him. And why not? "Ab Harf-e-Tammana Ko Samaa'at Na Milegi/Bechonge Agar Khwab To Qeemat Na Milegi; Lamhon Ke Taa'aqub Me Guzar Jaayengi Sadiyan/Haan Waqt To Mil Jayega Mohlat Na Milegi; Aye Aayina Sifat Waqt Tera Husn Hai Hum Log/Kal Aayine Tarsenge To Surat Na Milegi."<br /><br />Peerzada Qasim also referred to the pain and pathos of his countrymen in the current state of affairs. "Duwa Yehi Hai Ke Ab Dil Shikasta Logon Ko/Dawa-e-Dil Na Sahi Dard Aashna Koyee De; Ye Log Jaagti Ankhon Se Khwab Dekhte Hain/Ab Aise Khwabon Ki Taabeer Bhi Bata Koyee De; Koyee To Doobti Kashti Ko Laaye Sahil Par/Ye Mojeza Hi Sahi Mojeza Dikha Koyee De."<br /><br />Saleem Kausar, whose fame knows no limits, was an instantaneous hit as well. He recited a number of well-crafted couplets, but the ones that the audience wanted to hear were the verses that made him a household name in the Urdu world more than two decades ago. "Main Khayaal Hun Kisi Aur Ka Mujhe Sochata Koyee Aur Hai/Sar-e-Aayina Mera Aks Hai Pas-e-Aayina Koyee Aur Hai; Kabhi Laut Aaye To Poochna Nahin Dekhna Unhe Ghaur Se/Jinhen Raaste Me Khabar Huwi Ki Ye Raasta Koyee Aur Hai."<br /><br />Other poets who recited at the mushaira included Professor Inayat Ali Khan, Ajmal Siraj, Salman Gailani, Sajjad Babar, Aziz Jabran Ansari and Qamar Warsi. There were local poets, and Naeem Bazidpuri was extremely popular. So was Aalami Urdu Markaz President Ather Abbasi. Other local poets included Mohsin Alwi, Zammarud Khan Saifi and Farooq Moonis.<br /><br />No poetry recitation evening can succeed without a stellar anchor. In Amir Khurshid, the organizers found the perfect choice. He anchored the evening with poise and aplomb. He introduced the poets through a selection of delectable couplets that simply whetted the literary appetite of the listeners.<br /><br />Earlier, Pakistani Consul General Abdul Salik Khan congratulated Aalami Urdu Markaz President Athar Abbasi, Yasin Haider Rizvi, Syed Mahtab Ahmad, Hamid Islam Khan and other team members for organizing a successful mushaira. "The markaz has done a great job in promoting Urdu and they are carrying out a national duty. We will support them in every way," he said.</span>Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-60400391639765016602012-03-15T07:32:00.015-07:002012-08-06T16:05:10.040-07:00AMU Injected Into Its Students a Sense of Belonging & Brotherhood, Which Has Remained With Us for a Lifetime, Says Islam Habib Khan<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIV-WRB0SNmLKZWfF82cqiEkeHu_EKWGhKj6FXACRdwieUJTvbEM08SXv9ilzV3bFmgT-GZtHRM76Q8dUr-UxrFZjeanlU0hgCyP3RtDQvDCrXQA_2AiF9VlHtHu93q5vWm_xcfFOQ2Ir/s1600/Islam+Habib+Khan.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 304px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720135778438929602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIV-WRB0SNmLKZWfF82cqiEkeHu_EKWGhKj6FXACRdwieUJTvbEM08SXv9ilzV3bFmgT-GZtHRM76Q8dUr-UxrFZjeanlU0hgCyP3RtDQvDCrXQA_2AiF9VlHtHu93q5vWm_xcfFOQ2Ir/s400/Islam+Habib+Khan.jpg" /></a></div><span style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse;font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13;" class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';font-size:85%;">Islam Habib Khan is a 1951 commerce graduate of AMU. A senior financial adviser at the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources in Riyadh, he has been in Saudi Arabia since 1973 and worked for Petromin before joining the ministry. He was the chief guest at the 2009 Sir Syed Day celebrations at Dhahran International Hotel in Alkhobar.</span></p>
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<br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdi0WjdIA4QJux95fJV9ZR8uaDZgcs_Ejo6zlrm0MZ0lNtW1_eAzQGvs4ir5qX25VxFX3QlhH4SsfhA5K9a_CVam5yQ9zbC2QHkNqNN1ufpsqW7n3U5-hUOVaIvpxVf4PT1wG2LXaCMQDT/s1600/AMU1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720135101686549970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdi0WjdIA4QJux95fJV9ZR8uaDZgcs_Ejo6zlrm0MZ0lNtW1_eAzQGvs4ir5qX25VxFX3QlhH4SsfhA5K9a_CVam5yQ9zbC2QHkNqNN1ufpsqW7n3U5-hUOVaIvpxVf4PT1wG2LXaCMQDT/s400/AMU1.jpg" /></a><span style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse;font-family:'lucida grande';font-size:small;" class="Apple-style-span" > </p>
<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;">From left to right: Dr. Jamil A. Qureshy, Iftikhar Alam, Islam Habib Khan, Parvez Askari and Mukarram Ali Khan. One of the key organizers of the 2009 Sir Syed Day event was M. Rahat Sultan, seen here first from right.</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse;font-size:small;" class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEb4Qfx6sFSOEbTl3lG_zqY9IBnB6LZbtJwI0iiy0pvMPuVznzNnCpBwft1EnJasS8nZU3DHm6ogQ4GPhGfaQdxI5S3TG4QAwxF4EO6ZGjXdsf73PVMB6q9BeHEfHZ5jvecX7f5gR-fBN/s1600/AMU2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720135098726533698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEb4Qfx6sFSOEbTl3lG_zqY9IBnB6LZbtJwI0iiy0pvMPuVznzNnCpBwft1EnJasS8nZU3DHm6ogQ4GPhGfaQdxI5S3TG4QAwxF4EO6ZGjXdsf73PVMB6q9BeHEfHZ5jvecX7f5gR-fBN/s400/AMU2.jpg" /></a><span style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse;font-family:'lucida grande';font-size:small;" class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate;font-family:Georgia, serif;" class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse;font-family:'lucida grande';font-size:small;" class="Apple-style-span" >From left to right: Dr. Jamil A. Qureshy, Islam Habib Khan, I</span><span style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse;font-family:'lucida grande';font-size:small;" class="Apple-style-span" >ftikhar Alam and</span><span style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse;font-family:'lucida grande';font-size:small;" class="Apple-style-span" > Mukarram Ali Khan.</span></span></span></div></span>
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<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate;font-family:Georgia, serif;" class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse;font-family:'lucida grande';font-size:85%;" class="Apple-style-span" >A group picture of prominent alumni in the Eastern Province such as M. Rahat Sultan, Parvez Askari, Anis Bakhsh, Dr. Wajahat Farooqui of Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Dr. Javed Hafeez, Nafis Tarin, Syed Zulfiquar of Tasnee, Saquib Jaunpuri and S.M. Javaid Zaidi of KFUPM.</span></span></div>
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<br /></span></span></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjHmq7Z9_wFIiGc97PzfO4JtS1YhbPUbNlbQmfB1t4zzpIboN67sEnuzogop-K3-ILwZPQjbkB4raDzE7hrkmpTJ8TE4IN4sOSSm1Js9sLrQ7L-5O_NvLfuOnVNT1zCfjkA7LvACmEVhp/s1600/Mukkaram+Ali+Khan+gestures+during+his+speech+at+the+event.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 206px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720135085058610034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjHmq7Z9_wFIiGc97PzfO4JtS1YhbPUbNlbQmfB1t4zzpIboN67sEnuzogop-K3-ILwZPQjbkB4raDzE7hrkmpTJ8TE4IN4sOSSm1Js9sLrQ7L-5O_NvLfuOnVNT1zCfjkA7LvACmEVhp/s400/Mukkaram+Ali+Khan+gestures+during+his+speech+at+the+event.jpg" /></a><span style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse;font-family:'lucida grande';font-size:small;" class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Mukarram Ali Khan gestures while delivering his speech at the event.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse;font-size:small;" class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyE_4c9uTfoOD-oDR7qstQdPN73jun1O9ceO7fxk6zieXL9xSYWiHu_XhacHHWbxrVhyWivkQHpNUDqZUbg195YZyQVZQggqd5_sL5T_8AXcKHmkbpfJ4ICegsOSCqMTHooj4bT8M-u9S/s1600/Mukkaram+Ali+Khan+of+KFUPM.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720135079582937954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyE_4c9uTfoOD-oDR7qstQdPN73jun1O9ceO7fxk6zieXL9xSYWiHu_XhacHHWbxrVhyWivkQHpNUDqZUbg195YZyQVZQggqd5_sL5T_8AXcKHmkbpfJ4ICegsOSCqMTHooj4bT8M-u9S/s400/Mukkaram+Ali+Khan+of+KFUPM.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Mukarram Ali Khan, the most respected and elderly AMU alumni in Saudi Arabia.</span></div></span>
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<br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzJWqzwlaZGGIzFAk6VsXQJk-UDNeza18cOc7vrpWgQVZ9VFFsF1ca4OPgVS2IzDtbPU3ggfwRLF7feC6EWGsPv0D3LhW8prRhO1SQuZe306-zsLTMwSajtyTQBabGa4vxK7gG177sP8P/s1600/Jamil+A.+Qureshy+of+Prince+Mohammad+bin+Fahd+University.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720134304345054466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzJWqzwlaZGGIzFAk6VsXQJk-UDNeza18cOc7vrpWgQVZ9VFFsF1ca4OPgVS2IzDtbPU3ggfwRLF7feC6EWGsPv0D3LhW8prRhO1SQuZe306-zsLTMwSajtyTQBabGa4vxK7gG177sP8P/s400/Jamil+A.+Qureshy+of+Prince+Mohammad+bin+Fahd+University.jpg" /></a><span style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse;font-family:'lucida grande';font-size:small;" class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Dr. Jamil A. Qureshy is one of the most distinguished AMU alumni in Saudi Arabia.</div>
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<br /></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5sG-woY77vxhSQBFdDCeE_eHyDSbyY2SEa85UbNDjVi8WFW3hU8-hakWa-DMZdJgtN8rely_7hi1mFuY3ZYBiozQrIAcRTZx8ZJOoQk0Ti94vvi6JTYa8fqlIboqQz0ZeHWLhhoHOpyH/s1600/Iftikhar+Alam.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 271px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720134299964658578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5sG-woY77vxhSQBFdDCeE_eHyDSbyY2SEa85UbNDjVi8WFW3hU8-hakWa-DMZdJgtN8rely_7hi1mFuY3ZYBiozQrIAcRTZx8ZJOoQk0Ti94vvi6JTYa8fqlIboqQz0ZeHWLhhoHOpyH/s400/Iftikhar+Alam.jpg" /></a><span style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse;font-family:'lucida grande';font-size:small;" class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Iftikhar Alam worked for more than two decades with UP Irrigation Department before moving to Saudi Arabia.</span></div></span>
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<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Another group picture of prominent alumni with the keynote speaker Islam Habib Khan.</span></div></span>
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<br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TsgGSqvygLZETvovKIZH0GRIQD6RoUA_AA2nA7dB1IOTLpmiKhFQrgYOd2tvYCd3Al1u0A9WK8JN_ul1_OODOXYbGlihlPTyE6mv0aNusA-_9__kQqjW2GTm9fBpEe58aFBPf1nbPbr7/s1600/The+tarana+team+with+Sabir+Imam%252C+3rd+left.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720134289518519762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TsgGSqvygLZETvovKIZH0GRIQD6RoUA_AA2nA7dB1IOTLpmiKhFQrgYOd2tvYCd3Al1u0A9WK8JN_ul1_OODOXYbGlihlPTyE6mv0aNusA-_9__kQqjW2GTm9fBpEe58aFBPf1nbPbr7/s400/The+tarana+team+with+Sabir+Imam%252C+3rd+left.jpg" /></a><span style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse;font-family:'lucida grande';font-size:small;" class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;">The tarana team in full flow with Sabir Imam, 3rd from left.</span></div></span>
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<br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7lQE-o_b-L6iR24dCDt97aAHW53fzHXWyLjyHDT_R3w0sts9aiENRckJzi0J9c08pOybZ_s6IPsRuDj7_dE6iVCu93ywhGlSOhyphenhyphenAqeUs0C1NRqRBn2lNWkUKrCG1p7BJzyhV8Y4URrdx/s1600/A+section+of+the+audience.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720134282636791618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7lQE-o_b-L6iR24dCDt97aAHW53fzHXWyLjyHDT_R3w0sts9aiENRckJzi0J9c08pOybZ_s6IPsRuDj7_dE6iVCu93ywhGlSOhyphenhyphenAqeUs0C1NRqRBn2lNWkUKrCG1p7BJzyhV8Y4URrdx/s400/A+section+of+the+audience.jpg" /></a><span style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse;font-family:'lucida grande';font-size:small;" class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;">A section of the audience at the 2009 event.</span>
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<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW71afE9i6-4nMGz0jG57eAjRkaUN22iWgTogSGkH33K1eRty2BtLYQ_eQZpbyWRmwHvKLJ5FijoGC1S2wV5aIty-Q0Dp2dNEQq7h28GLDWjPEt-jv1SllXvDG8FYZDlqmByGib_Z9jaZ/s1600/AMU+Sir+Syed+Day+Event+2009+Siraj+Wahab+Best.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 263px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720136475901984706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW71afE9i6-4nMGz0jG57eAjRkaUN22iWgTogSGkH33K1eRty2BtLYQ_eQZpbyWRmwHvKLJ5FijoGC1S2wV5aIty-Q0Dp2dNEQq7h28GLDWjPEt-jv1SllXvDG8FYZDlqmByGib_Z9jaZ/s400/AMU+Sir+Syed+Day+Event+2009+Siraj+Wahab+Best.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"><b>By Siraj Wahab</b></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"><i>Published in </i></span><a href="http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=127981&d=2&m=11&y=2009"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"><i>Arab News</i></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"><i> on Monday, Nov. 2, 2009</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"></span></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;">Prominent alumni of India’s historic Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) have called for concerted efforts to promote the mission and ideals of the university’s founder, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.</span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;">They were speaking at Sir Syed Day celebrations over the weekend organized by the Eastern Province AMU community at Dhahran International Hotel. The event brought together hundreds of AMU alumni in various Saudi government institutions and private sector firms in Dammam, Alkhobar, Jubail, Ras Tanura and Khafji.</span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;">Islam Habib Khan, a 1951 commerce graduate of AMU, delivered the keynote speech. A British national, Khan is a senior financial adviser at the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources in Riyadh. Khan has been in the Kingdom since 1973 and worked for Petromin before joining the ministry.</span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;">Khan said Sir Syed was a visionary who set about to halt the degeneration of a nation by initiating a series of constructive steps that led to the beginnings of the university.</span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;">Khan, who attended the university from 1942-1951, said the institution was not just a place for classroom education. “It injected into its students a sense of belonging and brotherhood, which has remained with us for a lifetime. This is what created the spirit of Aligarh which still exists today,” he said.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"></p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"></span></span>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;">Khan said there was an even more-senior AMU alumna in the Eastern Province. “She is my elder sister, Salma Zuberi, who graduated from Girls College in 1948 and lives here in the Eastern Province with her son,” he said.</span><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"></span></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;">Dr. Jamil A. Qureshy, director of libraries at Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University, noted the efforts of the AMU community in organizing the event but said more steps should be taken to carry forward the cause of Sir Syed.</span><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"></span></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;">“Just one program a year is not enough to promote the message of Sir Syed. His was a mission that needs to be reinforced,” he said and called on the initiators of the program to form an AMU alumni chapter in the Eastern Province.</span><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"></span></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;">M. Rahat Sultan, a very senior and respected Indian executive and one of the key organizers, said the overwhelming response from the local AMU community was delightful. “We never expected so many people to turn up. A lot of us owe our jobs in Saudi Arabia to our education at AMU. This was one small way of acknowledging our gratitude to the university.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"></span></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;">Another guest was Iftikhar Alam who worked for 22 years in the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department. He is now a technical director at the Eastern Province-based Al-Khodari and Sons Group. “The university played a significant role in the life of the nation and also in the lives of a huge number of students who studied there,” he said.</span><span class="Apple-style-span">
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;">Mukarram Ali Khan, a veteran at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, recalled the events that led to the creation of the university. Interspersing his speech with interesting Urdu couplets, he drove home the point that Sir Syed’s idea was to inculcate a spirit of knowledge and scientific inquiry.</span><span class="Apple-style-span">
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;">Senior alumnus Parvez Askari said the program was the first step to bring the AMU community together, and that an Eastern Province alumni directory is planned.</span></p>
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<br />Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-28502752636212835382012-03-02T05:18:00.007-08:002012-03-03T04:28:13.350-08:00Arab News Exclusive Interview With Mani Shankar Aiyar: ‘India and Pakistan Can Live Together as Good Neighbors’<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoODHw0dxZhDvMCBMzSyDTdiBdYTqvPl7nJ-NHpyGtsw2Tz5yZlIQ9ga2LCd9K2OIVxTe9mNAQQNCIw9OqmHFY4dyaZQjrFrjRRL1ja6iYzXxJKp1ceHJ22OVWUNyRwzvnKqlXUrx6HHE2/s1600/Mani+Shankar+Aiyar.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoODHw0dxZhDvMCBMzSyDTdiBdYTqvPl7nJ-NHpyGtsw2Tz5yZlIQ9ga2LCd9K2OIVxTe9mNAQQNCIw9OqmHFY4dyaZQjrFrjRRL1ja6iYzXxJKp1ceHJ22OVWUNyRwzvnKqlXUrx6HHE2/s400/Mani+Shankar+Aiyar.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715294462246981042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Mani Shankar Aiyar was in Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the alumni of Aligarh Muslim University in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDBVhCFVBr0IVtagoRHzPHHCIps22uvaOW9kujywQdjw3e-kbxjcwKgnldUorbGT-YMGCzQZww7xpNxQfynBdws_7g7vdg1Bi7aVyMn8RwX0iJpv8ZV_YY49aIF8bUGCTCOkoFCbgLHoX/s1600/Mani+Shankar+Aiyar+Siraj+Wahab+Interview+in+Arab+News.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDBVhCFVBr0IVtagoRHzPHHCIps22uvaOW9kujywQdjw3e-kbxjcwKgnldUorbGT-YMGCzQZww7xpNxQfynBdws_7g7vdg1Bi7aVyMn8RwX0iJpv8ZV_YY49aIF8bUGCTCOkoFCbgLHoX/s400/Mani+Shankar+Aiyar+Siraj+Wahab+Interview+in+Arab+News.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715294452758457634" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:small;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:webdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">By Siraj Wahab</span></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Published in </span></i></span><a href="http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article581884.ece"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Arab News</span></i></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> on March 2, 2012</span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Mani Shankar Aiyar, 71, is India’s former minister of petroleum. A powerful and learned diplomat, he went into politics during the tenure of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Always a Gandhi family loyalist, he drafted some of Rajiv Gandhi’s famous speeches. He is currently the member of India’s upper house of Parliament.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">A staunch secularist, Aiyar has always fought for the rights of minorities, especially Muslims, and is a big supporter of peace between India and Pakistan. He was six when India and Pakistan became two independent sovereign nations. His father had a thriving practice as a chartered accountant in Pakistan at the time of partition and Aiyar was born in Lahore.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Aiyar’s television program, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Politically Incorrect</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> on NDTV, has a huge following in India and abroad. He was in Saudi Arabia last week at <a href="http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article579278.ece">the invitation of the alumni of India’s historic Aligarh Muslim University</a>. In this interview with Arab News, he answers questions on Rahul Gandhi, Congress Party’s electoral prospects in Uttar Pradesh and his views on partition and Indo-Pak ties.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>Following is the interview:<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>Q: How is India balancing its relationships with Riyadh and Tehran? Managing all those contradictions must be difficult.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>A: </b>We do not see Riyadh and Tehran as mutually exclusive. If there are differences between Riyadh and Tehran, they are to be resolved by Riyadh and Tehran. If anybody wants our assistance in this regard — and I don’t think anybody does — we are prepared to offer ourselves. Saudi Arabia is the single biggest Arab country and the single richest Arab country and Iran is the inheritor of a major civilization. They are entirely capable of resolving their issues between themselves. I don’t think anybody in Riyadh is demanding that we break off our relations with Tehran, and I don’t think anybody in Tehran is asking us to break our relations with Riyadh. The problem is neither Riyadh nor Tehran. The problem is Washington. I think Washington is right in worrying about Iranian nuclear weapons but why aren’t the Americans also worrying about Israeli nuclear weapons? Israeli nuclear weapons exist. The Iranian nuclear weapon, if anybody is making it, lies in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>Q: So India’s role should be to defuse tensions rather than promote them?<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>A:</b> We should be promoting a cooperative atmosphere in West Asia (the Middle East) rather than becoming a party to internal disputes within the continent. We must be consistent in championing the Palestinian cause because, after all, it is the Palestinian cause that is at the heart of all problems in West Asia. If there were peace in Palestine there would be peace in West Asia as a whole. But you cannot have peace in Palestine without justice in Palestine. And I don’t see that the Americans are able to persuade the Israelis to give justice to the Palestinian people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>Q: You have seen Rajiv Gandhi’s family from a close quarter. What is your assessment of Rahul Gandhi?<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>A: </b>Rahul Gandhi has decided to become a probationer in Indian politics. He comes from such a distinguished political lineage that he could have easily done what North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has done — “Since my father was the boss, so I am the boss.” Rahul Gandhi has definitely said no. He said, “First I want to go into the most difficult state for the Congress Party which is Uttar Pradesh.” In Uttar Pradesh, the Congress was the dominant party till 1989. For the last 20 years, we haven’t had any presence there. In the elections of 2002, the Congress Party got four seats. We succeeded in getting more in 2007 after Rahul Gandhi went in. Now we are an accepted and acknowledged political presence in Uttar Pradesh largely because of Rahul Gandhi. We know that the Congress Party’s votes are going to increase considerably, but we don’t know by how many seats. What I think is commendable is that Rahul Gandhi has said that he is not obsessed with becoming prime minister; that he is in Uttar Pradesh for the long run; that the Congress is not going to align with any political party after the elections; and that the Congress will either pull itself up by its own bootstraps or fail, but we are not going to rise by catching somebody else’s coattails. Rahul Gandhi wants to rebuild the Congress in Uttar Pradesh because he knows that without capturing Uttar Pradesh the Congress will not be able to capture Delhi on its own. All this indicates a humble but mature young man.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>Q: What are Congress’ chances in the ongoing elections in Uttar Pradesh? The results are going to be out next week.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>A: </b>I am not an astrologer and I do not make predictions. It seems to me that the vote of the Congress Party is definitely going up, that the vote of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is definitely going down, and that the Samajwadi Party remains an important political force in Uttar Pradesh. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), because of its agitation over the Babri Mosque, has completely destroyed itself in Uttar Pradesh for which I thank Allah. It is a nonentity. So the one result I will predict is that the BJP will come fourth. I think all these spoilers such as the Peace Party and others will only remain spoilers. They are not going to become major political elements.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>Q: You are a great supporter of peace between India and Pakistan and have served as India’s high commissioner in Pakistan. What is happening vis-à-vis the peace process?<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>A:</b> We are at a very encouraging milestone. I think we should seize this opportunity. Having known Pakistan very well, I think the velocity of change in the mindset in Pakistan vis-à-vis India is faster than the velocity of change in the mindset in India vis-à-vis Pakistan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>Q: And why is this?<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>A: </b>Pakistan has reached a stage where it does not need to define itself negatively in terms of India. Fortunately, that generation is gone. I think 95 percent of the population of Pakistan never knew what it is to be an Indian. Similarly in India, 95 percent of our people have not known an India of which Pakistan was an integral part. We have reached a stage where we can easily look at each other as neighbors and not as dissidents and not as separatists. Pakistan is a separate sovereign entity as is India. The pull of West Asia on the Pakistani mind is very strong. In West Asia, or what they say here is the Middle East, uniformity is the basis of unity. In South Asia diversity is the basis of unity. Therefore, the attempt to put Pakistan in the West Asian framework has resulted in confusion over the nature of their nationhood. You have to respect diversity, not only of language and culture but much more importantly of religion. In South Asia, Islam has always coexisted with other religions. We in South Asia live with the most amazing linguistic diversity. Here in West Asia, from Muscat to Mauritania, they all speak one language. There may be variations in pronunciation or accents but otherwise it is one language. So Pakistan, essentially being a South Asian country, has to define its nationhood in a manner that places Pakistani nationhood in the South Asian context of unity in diversity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>Q: And what about the concept of nationhood on the Indian side?<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>A:</b> On the Indian side, our nationhood will never be complete until and unless we have complete secularism. Secularism is the bonding adhesive of our nationhood. Pakistan can more easily affirm its diversity if it has a good relationship with India. And India will not be able to consolidate its nationhood until we resolve our relationship with Pakistan so that no Indian is left looking with suspicion and the Muslims of India don’t feel under siege that they have to prove to their non-Muslim brethren that they are not Pakistanis. India will never acquire the status that it deserves in the international world so long as the Pakistan albatross is around our neck. By quarreling with Pakistan we diminish ourselves. As for Pakistan, it has spent 65 years being the frontline state in somebody else’s interest. It is time Pakistan became a frontline state in its own interest. There is recognition in Pakistan that a good relationship with India is in its interest. The only way we can successfully move forward is to initiate an uninterrupted and uninterruptible dialogue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>Q: Sometimes you sound like an idealist?<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>A:</b> I don’t think you can ever, ever get anywhere by only being pragmatic. It is having a larger vision that enables you to get somewhere. If you don’t reach for the stars will you ever get onto your roof?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>Q: Were you a witness to the horrors of Partition?<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>A:</b> What happened in those two weeks in August 1947 destroyed the 1,000 years that Hindus and Muslims have lived together. Rivers of blood flowed and our hands are still stained with that blood. Unless and until we wash away the stain and unless and until we don’t see tomorrow in a new light and in a new way without the baggage of the past, we will continue to remain trapped in those weeks of bloodletting in August 1947. When the country was partitioned, my mother and the four of us children stayed in Simla. So, on Aug. 14, 1947, we found ourselves Indians and because my father was in Lahore, he found himself a Pakistani. Let me narrate one incident from my childhood. I remember I was a six-year-old and the house in which we lived in Simla was known as Three Bridges. There were very few buildings in the area which had three floors. In Three Bridges there were three floors. On the ground floor, there was a Muslim family. All members of the family had come to this place for safety. There were little ones. I remember one night, about 7:00 or 8:00 p.m., there was a knock at the door and a large group of Sikhs with bloodshot eyes was waiting outside. They asked my mother: “Where are the Muslims?” My mother said, “They have all gone to Pakistan.” At that moment I wanted to say, “No, no, they are on the ground floor.” I was about to say that when I saw something in the eyes of my mother that told me to keep my mouth shut. I did and the group left.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>Q: And what was your father’s experience on the other side?<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>A:</b> As I told you, my father was in Lahore at the time of Partition. His chartered accountancy and income tax advisory practice spread from Lahore to Rawalpindi and Peshawar and down to Karachi. I was born in Lahore on April 10, 1941. When my father was asked where he would go, he said, “My entire practice is here so I will become Pakistani. What do I have to do with India?” My father’s grocer of Beadan Street suggested that he place a big lock on his door, and if somebody were to ask about him, then the grocer would say that Shankar </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Sahab</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> had gone back to India. “When this madness is over in a couple of weeks, things will be all right,” he said. Three days later the same man pulled a knife and attacked my father but my father survived. To this day, I wonder whether he pulled the knife to actually kill my father or to convey a message to those who were baying for his blood. I don’t know. We were consumed by madness. That era is over. We can now all live together as good neighbors.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><div><br /></div></span>Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com95tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-63784465632104789822012-02-25T09:20:00.007-08:002012-03-15T06:02:18.021-07:00At AMU Alumni Event in Saudi Arabia, Mani Shankar Aiyar Calls for 'Uninterrupted and Uninterruptible' Dialogue With Pakistan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-h3P_s-5Ag05MFHv4lFOHpVkkf-YUKs7FYYVm9vYoOKsYmV1TpTbJbA9tllW-nXdoionjCU8yrICMLdlQLseyXL8dzk1k9tv5V593aMYW52Rw28aBMjqI3EPle5hO5cHTKuK0oYPRp_j/s1600/Senior+Indian+business+executive+Shariq+Jamal+Shamsi%252C+2nd+left%252C+with+Mani+Shankar+Aiyar%252C+2nd+right.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-h3P_s-5Ag05MFHv4lFOHpVkkf-YUKs7FYYVm9vYoOKsYmV1TpTbJbA9tllW-nXdoionjCU8yrICMLdlQLseyXL8dzk1k9tv5V593aMYW52Rw28aBMjqI3EPle5hO5cHTKuK0oYPRp_j/s400/Senior+Indian+business+executive+Shariq+Jamal+Shamsi%252C+2nd+left%252C+with+Mani+Shankar+Aiyar%252C+2nd+right.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713129112324007954" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Senior Indian business executive Shariq Jamal Shamsi, 2nd left, with Mani Shankar Aiyar, 2nd right.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCDwsYTh1LVqP_T_USutknxhY3ig3fdy95cMDdLKK8NTgRno1Px88cHgtOIWGJXf9RCU-f8TEKeAZjAE3l7O3zUKdMCbYtuQBLVulQAbilDSN2fZYtAv3Y58J2vRZbEwv8RwXPNOHKeMx/s1600/From+left+to+right%252C+Nadeem+Tarin%252C+Mani+Shankar+Aiyar%252C+Anis+Bakhsh+and+Parvez+Askari.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCDwsYTh1LVqP_T_USutknxhY3ig3fdy95cMDdLKK8NTgRno1Px88cHgtOIWGJXf9RCU-f8TEKeAZjAE3l7O3zUKdMCbYtuQBLVulQAbilDSN2fZYtAv3Y58J2vRZbEwv8RwXPNOHKeMx/s400/From+left+to+right%252C+Nadeem+Tarin%252C+Mani+Shankar+Aiyar%252C+Anis+Bakhsh+and+Parvez+Askari.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713129103643732530" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">From left to right, Nadeem Tarin, Mani Shankar Aiyar, Anis Bakhsh and Parvez Askari</span>.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkVXwUT8Oi1sqPb7_y-Jzi2SRpxjqjWKPSbI9sAagq_18vgBjf_si-wXCANvF71VRP1mA2nQoiUY12MW71heAAQCcXY2pdzoQBjM8Gmx-vV0R7BM_p3jEQZxO83XOzbhcx3otioUM01Sk/s1600/Mukkaram+Ali+Khan%252C+the+most+respected+and+senior+Alig+in+Saudi+Arabia.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkVXwUT8Oi1sqPb7_y-Jzi2SRpxjqjWKPSbI9sAagq_18vgBjf_si-wXCANvF71VRP1mA2nQoiUY12MW71heAAQCcXY2pdzoQBjM8Gmx-vV0R7BM_p3jEQZxO83XOzbhcx3otioUM01Sk/s400/Mukkaram+Ali+Khan%252C+the+most+respected+and+senior+Alig+in+Saudi+Arabia.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713129088555413394" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Mukkaram Ali Khan, the most respected AMU alumnus in Saudi Arabia</span>.</div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPybzBM7XD9danfuwusgrhvhaRHCKUYigMYKha4_o6PEtW_Kcy3XjPNebr092cpDAugoxmSIUt4P_Bh6RZeJRRr4ctw0jMh6sh9ZponCl32Fe2uM76QKAfPeJFCh-VzwB8PtB0YFNuYw1/s1600/Nadeem+Tarin+thanked+the+government+for+opening+AMU+centers+countrywide.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPybzBM7XD9danfuwusgrhvhaRHCKUYigMYKha4_o6PEtW_Kcy3XjPNebr092cpDAugoxmSIUt4P_Bh6RZeJRRr4ctw0jMh6sh9ZponCl32Fe2uM76QKAfPeJFCh-VzwB8PtB0YFNuYw1/s400/Nadeem+Tarin+thanked+the+government+for+opening+AMU+centers+countrywide.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713129084317869298" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Businessman Nadeem Tarin thanked the government for opening AMU centers countrywide</span>.</div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYvRJmuE9tpN4vwoWXQ6H3W451cLRQWf9mHpvJ4RyCVBQd8MfeCoIHC2cDWEjXukcfN5zi5ETAK5Zz_KE2rpO_kcGwp2theBEweDOTjaJRZFrOJR_nFngYrKBaPLJfDYJybxTjpI2fE4z/s1600/Mani+Shankar+Aiyar+with+Shoaib+A.+Quraishi%252C+Sabir+Imam%252C+Baqar+Naqvi%252C+Dr.+Ahsan+and+others.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYvRJmuE9tpN4vwoWXQ6H3W451cLRQWf9mHpvJ4RyCVBQd8MfeCoIHC2cDWEjXukcfN5zi5ETAK5Zz_KE2rpO_kcGwp2theBEweDOTjaJRZFrOJR_nFngYrKBaPLJfDYJybxTjpI2fE4z/s400/Mani+Shankar+Aiyar+with+Shoaib+A.+Quraishi%252C+Sabir+Imam%252C+Baqar+Naqvi%252C+Dr.+Ahsan+and+others.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713129074930423346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Mani Shankar Aiyar with Shoaib A. Quraishi, Sabir Imam, Baqar Naqvi, Dr. Ahsan and others.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ31Dn89xmXH3vsLjOwqrDVY-Tt3dT3MG04XDLlMyX-SH3riBVOLgnim2mW6H_3Dp7UhDaRuBDFCEhyoPuu-lBwoKt4pf5wkszhbefSn2TLDe_5sLHvvhwEVDW9WUecfPcYSv2Z4QTRbVL/s1600/Jamil+A.+Qureshy+of+PMU+was+the+chief+guest.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ31Dn89xmXH3vsLjOwqrDVY-Tt3dT3MG04XDLlMyX-SH3riBVOLgnim2mW6H_3Dp7UhDaRuBDFCEhyoPuu-lBwoKt4pf5wkszhbefSn2TLDe_5sLHvvhwEVDW9WUecfPcYSv2Z4QTRbVL/s400/Jamil+A.+Qureshy+of+PMU+was+the+chief+guest.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713128329964672930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Jamil A. Qureshy of Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University was the chief guest</span>.</div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmZPDKTTkjwOkCgPWu3aL-Ka44pIeYLtR8rKS7KAVf6GkiiKoGAzJuCb-rNEC7qQVZZMJtS3dSXW2BJCQMSDV98YGC1MJBnc2sZtGWP-48Vu0cJBI0hg6RqkbNndPOa3lk9W5qduGdw9N/s1600/Azeem+Warsi+won+applause+for+his+balanced+and+admirable+anchoring.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmZPDKTTkjwOkCgPWu3aL-Ka44pIeYLtR8rKS7KAVf6GkiiKoGAzJuCb-rNEC7qQVZZMJtS3dSXW2BJCQMSDV98YGC1MJBnc2sZtGWP-48Vu0cJBI0hg6RqkbNndPOa3lk9W5qduGdw9N/s400/Azeem+Warsi+won+applause+for+his+balanced+and+admirable+anchoring.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713128322175522626" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Azeem Warsi won applause for his balanced and admirable anchoring</span>.</div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HrZCqaLch_fpdh01EZFoOOc1K-0T0X_ReNyV-imLuH3HSCF3gm7Jr7QULabHgBZGWIxLMumYU9cWD19Av_8iD-7wgaI3qo94sfo4q58AGiKodjwNsOBnez2SYidMqVDMhjf1AzBnfq3m/s1600/AMU+event+2012+audience.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HrZCqaLch_fpdh01EZFoOOc1K-0T0X_ReNyV-imLuH3HSCF3gm7Jr7QULabHgBZGWIxLMumYU9cWD19Av_8iD-7wgaI3qo94sfo4q58AGiKodjwNsOBnez2SYidMqVDMhjf1AzBnfq3m/s400/AMU+event+2012+audience.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713128318238980658" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: center;">A long shot of those who made the event memorable with their presence.</div></span></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWMZDFXtVe1j34N8jI0C84rphUfhSEG5t4jjaMiSwBVwyuliCfJsq656L_erhGV_VYt21SYhGW9Z9pisk87Q7IJfO9cI3u43Gce72g4_A4DhEQdjxOM72qqp_smKvZtn7125ovIVXkB8-/s1600/Mani+Shankar+Aiyar+with+Jamil+A.+Qureshy%252C+center%252C+and+E.K.M.+Shaffe%252C+left.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWMZDFXtVe1j34N8jI0C84rphUfhSEG5t4jjaMiSwBVwyuliCfJsq656L_erhGV_VYt21SYhGW9Z9pisk87Q7IJfO9cI3u43Gce72g4_A4DhEQdjxOM72qqp_smKvZtn7125ovIVXkB8-/s400/Mani+Shankar+Aiyar+with+Jamil+A.+Qureshy%252C+center%252C+and+E.K.M.+Shaffe%252C+left.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713128307750015906" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Mani Shankar Aiyar with Jamil A. Qureshy, center, and E.K.M. Shaffe, left.</span></div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_ZEAj-u6JFAfD5HtmpD6xr33x_zp7FKWi8NTYVXDDWTp0h0fsvZguIvH81lQRQjTB727JSNQJOxsjZYO1o3wBYkleJPLjXLzHprG_KxoX9py0cRt4KaUM2DAjAEKEwTxQMPLeuoKi7cY/s1600/AMU+story+in+Arab+News.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 312px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_ZEAj-u6JFAfD5HtmpD6xr33x_zp7FKWi8NTYVXDDWTp0h0fsvZguIvH81lQRQjTB727JSNQJOxsjZYO1o3wBYkleJPLjXLzHprG_KxoX9py0cRt4KaUM2DAjAEKEwTxQMPLeuoKi7cY/s400/AMU+story+in+Arab+News.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713128302924901602" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-weight: normal; font-size:16px;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>Aiyar Lauds Role of AMU Alumni in Saudi Arabia</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>By Siraj Wahab</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>sirajwahab@arabnews.com</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>Published in </i></span></span><a href="http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article579278.ece"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>Arab News</i></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">A senior member of India’s ruling Congress party and a former minister and high-ranking diplomat made a passionate plea for turning a new chapter in India’s relationship with Pakistan.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">Addressing the illustrious alumni of India’s historic Aligarh Muslim University at a well-organized event in Dhahran on Thursday, Mani Shankar Aiyar said it was important for the two nations to bury the ghosts of the past.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">“What happened in those two weeks in August 1947 needs to be forgotten,” he said speaking of the unspeakable bloodletting that took place on both sides of the border. “Those two weeks destroyed the excellent relationship that existed between Hindus and Muslims for centuries.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">The event, known as Sir Syed Day, is organized every year in all parts of the world in order to remember and acknowledge the sacrifices made by the university’s founder in the 1860s. Aiyar lauded the positive role being played by AMU alumni in Saudi Arabia.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">Turning the pages of history and quoting from his best-selling books, Aiyar said those who hate Pakistan distort history and project Muslim rulers of the past as invaders and bigots. “It was not the sword that won a place for Islam in India, it was the simple message of equality for all (‘masawat’) that attracted large members of the caste-based Hindu society of that era,” he said.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">For the Indo-Pak peace dialogue to succeed, Aiyar said it has to be uninterrupted and uninterruptible. “Every time a peace process is initiated we reach instant conclusions and then the whole exercise is aborted in the middle. We need to ask a simple question: Why is it that we can make friends with all nations of the world and not Pakistan?”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">Aiyar said there is a dire need to change the anti-Pakistan mindset that prevails in India. “We can neither change geography nor history; we cannot throw Pakistan into the Atlantic Ocean; it will remain where it is,” he said. “And if we were to nuke the Pakistani city of Lahore, yes, it will be finished in two seconds, but do remember that eight seconds later its radiation will envelop the Indian city of Amritsar.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">Having spent three years as India’s high commissioner in Pakistan and having visited the country 30 times in the last 30 years, Aiyar admitted that there was a positive change in the Pakistani mindset.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">“I have so many friends in Pakistan that they outnumber my enemies in India, and the generation that experienced the horrors of Partition is thinning out leading to positive change in mindset, but the same is not happening in India … The degree of positive change in the Indian mindset is far less.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">He said peace with Pakistan will help India attain the status it deserves. “We have to go around and tell the world that we have no issues with Pakistan and only then will we attain the status that we rightly deserve.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">To Pakistan, Aiyar said: “It should stop fighting somebody else’s war. It should stop renting it land to foreign powers. The Pakistanis should stop the Americans from using their land to fight their dirty war. Let us join hands.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">He said AMU founder Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was right when he described Hindus and Muslims as two eyes of the nation. “Together they make the face beautiful and bewitching,” Aiyar said.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">The Indian community in general and the AMU alumni in particular expressed heartfelt gratitude to senior Indian business executive Shariq Jamal Shamsi for getting Aiyar to the Eastern Province.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">“We are extremely happy with the way the whole event was conducted, and the entire organizing team deserves credit for its success,” Shamsi told Arab News. Aiyar thanked Shamsi and the entire community for playing the perfect hosts.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">Among the prominent AMU alumni who spoke at the event were Mukkaram Ali Khan, Jamil A. Qureshy, Nadeem Tarin, Sabir Imam, Ajmi Khan and Syed Baqar Naqvi.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">Azeem Warsi won applause for his balanced and admirable anchoring.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">Six prominent Indians in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province were honored for their selfless services to the community; they were:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">1. International Indian School’s popular headmistress Dhanalaxmi Ramanujam;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">2. Parveen Rasheed of Dammam University;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">3. Mukkaram Ali Khan of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">4. Community activist Parvez Askari;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">5. Qur’an expert Abdul Aziz Abdul Raheem and</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">6. Well-known pediatrician Nafis-ul-Hasan.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p></span></div>Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-74770387861806985932012-02-22T05:40:00.007-08:002012-02-22T06:22:43.449-08:00Trains Will Connect Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and Dammam in 3 Years, Says Saudi Railways Chief Abdul Aziz Al-Hokail<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFG2H4IBWJE-cO3s_KnEjCr05BhXZzgWODucQGjPELTLYktsfsDYC5xY1vuConXSQh_V8KY_iTaTxpXlbzKC2cn1KRwPZACeI2k2oUU7IPjuOUKL7OV-FQFx0rTIqqUfHyfpwGUs5zpO_/s1600/Abdul+Aziz+Al-Hokail+6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFG2H4IBWJE-cO3s_KnEjCr05BhXZzgWODucQGjPELTLYktsfsDYC5xY1vuConXSQh_V8KY_iTaTxpXlbzKC2cn1KRwPZACeI2k2oUU7IPjuOUKL7OV-FQFx0rTIqqUfHyfpwGUs5zpO_/s400/Abdul+Aziz+Al-Hokail+6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711964735377238146" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVZV0FaYJVyg61I0uvlwqJrA61oNiun-kCFueiQdxC9SzpD0kNCgkfqXrq4RyytjKAKwzoBYW2xq_sxKAzRfBa5RTkQ9RjaABv3LHKak-lCsGbiEZYzkymdwKL7FQtEe_cUPXLpsn8aEb/s1600/Saudi+Railway+Network+Map.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 371px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVZV0FaYJVyg61I0uvlwqJrA61oNiun-kCFueiQdxC9SzpD0kNCgkfqXrq4RyytjKAKwzoBYW2xq_sxKAzRfBa5RTkQ9RjaABv3LHKak-lCsGbiEZYzkymdwKL7FQtEe_cUPXLpsn8aEb/s400/Saudi+Railway+Network+Map.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711964720852043714" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvXjQRHsifBLvBVgqxznyrR1rf88INzzh5_LA1dIHi0YiIPz66L3KEfNs-FDQ0ZAV2FJRYSeXdPfI1LrrCTruvL0KMhFbWQYoNlR0AxYhwb5A61uucE4E0GTt-hVpCIGs9cgaxhPqNCry/s1600/Abdul+Aziz+Al-Hokail+5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvXjQRHsifBLvBVgqxznyrR1rf88INzzh5_LA1dIHi0YiIPz66L3KEfNs-FDQ0ZAV2FJRYSeXdPfI1LrrCTruvL0KMhFbWQYoNlR0AxYhwb5A61uucE4E0GTt-hVpCIGs9cgaxhPqNCry/s400/Abdul+Aziz+Al-Hokail+5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711964694549423186" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQyaK024vF-m702MJUsVoqC3KPV5QRje4BwyascsjTTZkTAwcfBIsWD-8oyCyIxaxIsYPVzih69PWvU7aQZCHe5SHL_TAPKk2MSDWJy-vYeabHSC0DqfJmO9nrdVcV4iWwjYg4uFrEOgp/s1600/Siraj+Wahab+Railway+Chief+Interview+in+Arab+News+4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQyaK024vF-m702MJUsVoqC3KPV5QRje4BwyascsjTTZkTAwcfBIsWD-8oyCyIxaxIsYPVzih69PWvU7aQZCHe5SHL_TAPKk2MSDWJy-vYeabHSC0DqfJmO9nrdVcV4iWwjYg4uFrEOgp/s400/Siraj+Wahab+Railway+Chief+Interview+in+Arab+News+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711964686654976402" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3ces1e4nMkkJca0ihVxDuhim9JOYweABy-BcwNcgtDEp3xtg5jT75QBVpnq-K7004BTcfiJteACGpYGpgBptK7zL5vk-7YJLvtXT8eYj2p995hA17aaufkygzNIwgtq5xdlfQNn4w44Q/s1600/Siraj+Wahab+Railway+Chief+Interview+in+Arab+News+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3ces1e4nMkkJca0ihVxDuhim9JOYweABy-BcwNcgtDEp3xtg5jT75QBVpnq-K7004BTcfiJteACGpYGpgBptK7zL5vk-7YJLvtXT8eYj2p995hA17aaufkygzNIwgtq5xdlfQNn4w44Q/s400/Siraj+Wahab+Railway+Chief+Interview+in+Arab+News+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711964246167822306" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzJYQmgYgN9wRKeWoCC9vNf8iVSoqwH0AZnXF5Up5opItFGFL4G9nwAXxM78KvlUwQpiWCR0S2_AGWVgcn8vKMxO9o0WzfO381FevSwXz44Wavc9we57JpBv09QmJbUx4oP-pa6wNA_kc/s1600/RSiraj+Wahab+Railway+Chief+Interview+in+Arab+News+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzJYQmgYgN9wRKeWoCC9vNf8iVSoqwH0AZnXF5Up5opItFGFL4G9nwAXxM78KvlUwQpiWCR0S2_AGWVgcn8vKMxO9o0WzfO381FevSwXz44Wavc9we57JpBv09QmJbUx4oP-pa6wNA_kc/s400/RSiraj+Wahab+Railway+Chief+Interview+in+Arab+News+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711964227206579698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKtIfoAdLZALYNWZPJQU24DyH5kbp4EO8S8VTlDedNHc7UafJJtBP5csxrxM9NMqSflytQVOd_SGR20RgzL5J6V6fzKDio3AxtyIFYyKX2DxGbIVayFtSM-KTujTssTIv8i6vjIxdNUgw/s1600/Siraj+Wahab+Railway+Chief+Interview+in+Arab+News+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKtIfoAdLZALYNWZPJQU24DyH5kbp4EO8S8VTlDedNHc7UafJJtBP5csxrxM9NMqSflytQVOd_SGR20RgzL5J6V6fzKDio3AxtyIFYyKX2DxGbIVayFtSM-KTujTssTIv8i6vjIxdNUgw/s400/Siraj+Wahab+Railway+Chief+Interview+in+Arab+News+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711964217553429602" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div class="gmail_quote"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><div class="gmail_quote"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">By Siraj Wahab</span></span></b></div><div class="gmail_quote"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="gmail_quote"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Published in <a href="http://arabnews.com/economy/article577729.ece">Arab News</a> on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012</span></span></i></div><div class="gmail_quote"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br />Three years from now Saudi Arabia will have one of the most extensive rail networks in the world. It will rival grids in such advanced nations as Spain, France and Germany. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has approved billions of riyals in recent years for the construction of multiple projects to link cities on the Kingdom’s northern border with Jordan, such as Haditha, Qurrayat and Hazm Al-Jalamid with Buraidah, Majmaa and Riyadh in the center. The rail network will connect Dammam on the east coast with Jeddah on the west coast. High-speed trains will link Makkah with Jeddah, Rabigh and Madinah. Dammam will be connected to Jubail and Ras Al-Khair. These are mind-boggling projects. They will change the face of Saudi Arabia. They will likely stimulate a new industrial revolution in the Kingdom.<br /><br />To understand these complex railway projects, Arab News turned to the sharp, alert and seasoned mind of 68-year-old Abdul Aziz M. Al-Hokail, president of the <a href="http://www.saudirailways.org/portal/page/portal/PRTS/root/Home/04_Expansion_Specification/01Overview">Saudi Railways Organization</a>. He is at the center of these game-changing scenarios. A 1964 petroleum-engineering graduate from the University of Texas in the United States, Al-Hokail spent nearly four decades in Saudi Aramco where he carried out a number of projects, small and large. He was executive vice president when he finished his career with Saudi Aramco in August 2002. Obviously the experience of building oil terminals, refineries, pipelines and oil and gas separation plants has stood him in good stead while executing the mega railway projects.<br /><br />This is Al-Hokail’s fifth year at the SRO after successfully completing his first four-year term last year. Born in Majmaa near Riyadh, he went to a local school for his elementary education and attended high school in Riyadh. Like all Aramcons, he is a stickler for time. We were to meet at 10 a.m. and we were ushered into his spartan office at the SRO headquarters in Dammam exactly on the dot. A tall and kind man, Al-Hokail takes great delight in explaining the immense projects in much detail and constantly points to a map of Saudi Arabia indicating which city is located where and how will it connect to other cities in other provinces.<br /><br />“We currently have 1,200 km of rail lines, and when all these projects are completed in three or four years, we will have 7,000 km,” he says. “These projects will spawn new industries, new cities, new employment opportunities, and there is every possibility that one will one day be able to take a train from Jeddah to cities in Europe.”<br /><br /><i>In the following exclusive interview with <a href="http://arabnews.com/economy/article577729.ece">Arab News</a>, Al-Hokail narrates fascinating details.<br /></i><br /><b>Q: Thank you for talking to Arab News. We keep hearing in the media about various railway projects. Can you please give us an idea about what is happening?<br /><br />A:</b> Thank you. We are going through a lot of expansion. Currently there are five big projects that are in various stages of development in the Kingdom. Let me say here that these projects are not necessarily with the Saudi Railways Organization. Some of them have already been completed such as the Maaden line which stretches from Hazm Al-Jalamid in the north to Zubairah and Ras Al-Khair. Thanks to this line, phosphate from Hazm Al-Jalamid and bauxite from Zubairah are being taken for processing to Ras Al-Khair on the east coast.<br /><br /><b>Q: That is Project No. 1. What about No. 2?<br /><br />A:</b> Yes, Project No. 2 will link Zubairah with Riyadh. It is under construction and is expected to be completed by 2014. This line is designed to carry both passengers and freight. The train speed on this line will be about 200 km per hour. It will extend to Haditha on our border with Jordan. We will then have Haditha, Zubairah, Hail, Qassim, Majmaa and Riyadh all linked together. This is the North-Riyadh Project.<br /><br /><b>Q: Project No. 3?<br /><br />A:</b> It is the Haramain High Speed Rail project which will link Makkah, Jeddah, Rabigh and Madinah. All contracts for this project are signed, and it has begun. The project’s first phase consists of civil work, and it is moving along very well. I would say 45 percent of the first phase is so far complete. The civil work involved acquisition of land, defining the alignment, digging it all up and flattening it by pouring in tons and tons of cement — basically getting the ground ready for laying tracks. Also part of the civil work is to construct 154 bridges, a viaduct and more than 500 tunnels.<br /><br /><b>Q: More than 500 tunnels?<br /><br />A:</b> Yes, there will be more than 500 tunnels on the line between Makkah, Jeddah, Rabigh and Madinah. As I said, 45 percent of Phase 1 is complete. The remainder of Phase 1 is the construction of railway stations. This contract was awarded last year. The stations will be built in Makkah, Jeddah, Rabigh and Madinah. There will be two terminals in Jeddah — one at King Abdulaziz Airport and another at the King Abdullah intersection on the Jeddah-Makkah Expressway. Phase 2 of this project will involve the laying of tracks and getting the trains on them. We will have 36 trains on this route. Their speed will be more than 300 km per hour. This crucial component of the project was awarded last year to Al-Shoula consortium, which comprises Saudi and Spanish companies. The project includes construction of railway tracks, installation of signals and telecommunication systems, electrification, operational control center and procurement of trains. This project will be completed by the end of 2014 or early 2015. Insha’Allah.<br /><br /><b>Q: Isn’t Project No. 4 the Land Bridge?<br /><br />A:</b> Yes, that is correct. It has many overlapping components which I will explain in a moment. Land Bridge will connect Ras Al-Khair with Jubail and Jubail with Dammam and then it will link with our existing network from Dammam to Riyadh. From Riyadh, it will go on to Jeddah and Yanbu. Actually, there will be a loop from Haditha in the north to the east coast cities on the Arabian Gulf and then pass through the whole of Saudi Arabia to end in Yanbu on the Red Sea. This then is the fourth project.<br /><br /><b>Q: And the last project?<br /><br />A: </b>It is what is called the Gulf Cooperation Council Railway Project. The precise length of the network will be 1,940 km, going from Kuwait to Ras Al-Khair and on to Oman and Qatar; it will run parallel to the Arabian Gulf coast. Our portion of this project is 663 km and it has to be completed by 2017 as per the decision made at one of the GCC summits. So this completes the overview of the five projects.<br /><br /><b>Q: These projects will surely change the face of Saudi Arabia.<br /><br />A:</b> Yes, without a doubt. This will lead to a big transformation. We currently have 1,200 km of rail lines between Riyadh and Dammam. We have two separate lines between the two cities. One is for freight and the other for passengers. The freight line takes a longer route through the desert and is about 700 km long. When all the new projects are completed in another three years we will have 7,000 km of tracks. That is phenomenal. Saudi Arabia will rank alongside some of the most advanced countries in the world such as Spain, Italy and Germany.<br /><br /><b>Q: What is the combined cost of all these projects?<br /><br />A:</b> I cannot say. (Independent reports say these projects run into billions and billions of riyals). What I can say is that all these projects have been approved and money has been allocated.<br /><br /><b>Q: Let me ask you a question from a layperson’s point of view: When will we able to travel to Madinah from Jeddah on the high-speed trains?<br /><br />A: </b>By the end of 2014 or by early 2015 at the latest.<br /><br /><b>Q: How long will it take for a passenger in Riyadh to get to Jeddah?<br /><br />A: </b>It will be a four- or five-hour journey.<br /><br /><b>Q: And what about those who want to travel to Jeddah or Madinah from Dammam. When will they be able to make the journey by train?<br /><br />A: </b>This depends on when the Land Bridge Project is completed. The Council of Ministers approved the project three months ago and it will probably take three years to build. Therefore, we should be able to get this network up and running by 2015. Insha’Allah.<br /><br /><b>Q: What impact will the new railway lines have on industries?<br /><br />A: </b>Huge impact. Instead of having a factory in Jeddah or Dammam, businesspeople can have them all over the country along the railway line. This will give a big boost to the rapid transport of goods within the country. Whole new towns will develop along the railway route. If need be, we will put new stations for new cities. Traveling to Makkah and Madinah will become easier, more affordable and more reliable. Now people do not have options. They have to either take a flight or drive the long distance. There will be a lot of social interaction. Trains will bring people closer. There will be no great movement toward urban centers. Tourism will flourish. Trade will boom. Goods coming from China and India will find easy access to Europe. Trains can take these goods from Jubail and Dammam ports and deliver them at the Jeddah Islamic Port from where they can be sent on to Europe. This will save a great deal of time and money. To give you an idea, a consignment from Dammam can reach Jeddah in 12 hours. The same journey takes more than a week by sea. Our rail links will go up to the border with Jordan, and Jordan is planning to link our network with their system. The Jordanian network goes up to Syria, Turkey and Europe. From Riyadh, you will be able to go via train to most of the cities in Saudi Arabia and outside the Kingdom.<br /><br /><b>Q: So what you are saying is that there is a good possibility of Saudis and expatriates going by train from Jeddah or Riyadh to destinations in Europe. Is that correct?<br /><br />A:</b> Yes, that is correct. All these links create those possibilities. Let me state here that these railway lines will serve only eight out of 13 provinces in Saudi Arabia. We are working on a master plan to connect all the other provinces in the years to come. Jazan, Najran, Baha, Asir and Tabuk -- all will be linked in one way or the another. But right now our hands are full with these big budget projects and we have to prioritize our needs and carry out our ideas and projects in a very systematic way. And that is what we are doing.<br /><br /><b>Q: How is the private sector benefiting from all these railways projects?<br /><br />A:</b> Well we have talked about trade. Who is going to do that? The private sector. These networks will give Saudis low-cost access to neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council and European markets. They will also shift lorry transport which damages road infrastructure to rail transport. More competition and modes of transport will benefit all aspects of the economy and attract additional foreign direct investment because rail transport is part of the criteria for foreign companies. We will have workshops, factories and training institutes. Who will benefit from them? The private sector. You have to remember that rail networks lead to industrial revolutions. This has happened in Europe and the United States when trains were introduced in the 1800s. They brought coal and steel to all areas and then large factories were built. Industry is wholly dependent on transportation of goods and trains are the best means of transportation. They are cheaper, environment-friendly, safe and reliable.<br /><br /><b>Q: New industrial towns and residential areas will spring up along the railway route. That sounds interesting.<br /><br />A:</b> Yes, yes. I just mentioned the United States. Look at the transportation history of other nations when trains were introduced. Look at Taiwan. When they laid the rails from Taipei to the south, there was a vast empty expanse. There were not many cities along the train route. Three years after the trains began operating, many industrial towns and cities had sprung up along the route. It is natural. That is what happens everywhere. So definitely the railroads will have a great impact here in Saudi Arabia. People in Kharj, for instance, will stay there. They will not have to come to Riyadh seeking work. People in Riyadh will be able to move out of the city and commute to work by train. This is bound to happen.<br /><br /><b>Q: Do you think all these projects have come a little late?<br /><br />A: </b>It is never too late. We shall soon be there. Insha’Allah.<br /><br /><b>Q: There surely must be a lot of focus on railways in the national budgets?<br /><br />A:</b> Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah is really the one who is leading the development and the expansion of the railway projects. He is always personally monitoring project timelines and we are very happy with his unfailing and constant support.<br /><br /><b>Q: Has money ever been an issue in executing these huge projects?<br /><br />A:</b> So far it has not been an issue because the railways are a high priority for the government. It is part of the infrastructure such as roads, ports and airports.<br /><br /><b>Q: What about talk of the organization’s being privatized?<br /><br />A:</b> Hopefully we will privatize the Saudi Railways Organization. We will then have companies that will operate all these railway lines. That would certainly be more effective. It will take place once the Land Bridge Project is complete. The Riyadh-Dammam line that we are now operating will also be privatized. That will be going to a new investor or new company. We will gradually phase out Saudi Railways. In the meantime, we are setting up the regulatory body. This has been approved by the Council of Ministers. That is why we are giving licenses and permits to entities interested in different lines. The Mashair Railway from Mina, Muzadalifa and Arafat was given to one entity. They ran it last year. We gave permission to Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh to have its own on-campus metro. We granted them the license. We are in the process of giving a license to Saudi Railway Company (SAR) to operate the North-South line.<br /><br /><b>Q: You mentioned the metro at Princess Nora University. What about metros in Riyadh or Jeddah?<br /><br />A: </b>The relevant authorities in Riyadh have already approached us for issuing a license and a safety certificate for a metro. We will have metros in Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah. These will be light trains operating within the city limits. However, the Ministry of Rural Affairs and other development authorities are carrying out these projects. Feasibility studies have been done and the financial aspects have been taken care of. It is just a matter of time before we will have individual rail networks in these cities.<br /><br /><b>Q: Let us go back to the projects you explained at the beginning. You talked about the Jubail line connecting with the existing Dammam-Riyadh line. We were given to understand that there was going to be a new express line to Riyadh from Dammam because the existing network was not geared for high-speed trains. Is that correct?<br /><br />A: </b>I will make it clear. Now we have two lines — one for passengers and one for freight. The freight line is old. The passenger line is comparatively new but it is also 15 years old. We are doing two things. One, we are upgrading the current line so it will be able to handle high-speed trains. At the same time, we are building another line parallel to the existing passenger line. This will, we hope, be completed by June this year. We created the new express line so that we do not have to disturb the current line which is in daily operation. We have just gotten new trains for the existing upgraded route and we believe they will be in service next month. The new trains are designed for high-speed but even the upgraded track cannot take more than 180 km per hour. Even then it will shorten the travel time between Dammam and Riyadh considerably. Currently it takes five hours to go from Riyadh to Dammam. With the new trains this time will be reduced dramatically.<br /><br /><b>Q: There have been reports of accidents on the current Dammam-Riyadh line. What steps, if any, have been taken to avoid them when new lines are being laid? Will we have elevated tracks, for example?<br /><br />A: </b>We have had some accidents but fortunately they were minor ones. Most of them were a direct result of the ignorance of the four-wheel vehicle drivers. They want to take a short cut, especially when crossing the freight line that runs through the desert. They cut the fence. Sometimes when they see a train approaching they panic and leave their cars or pickups on the track and this of course results in accidents. Sometimes when the fences have been cut, camels stray onto the lines. At present we have a dedicated crew working round the clock in order to repair fences. On the passenger line, Alhamdulillah, we have not had many accidents. Our main challenge on the passenger line is the sand. We have people working 24 hours a day cleaning the track and removing the sand from the tracks.<br /><br /><b>Q: Your vast experience at Saudi Aramco must have helped you chart a new course for Saudi railways. Did you ever believe that you will one day become the architect of Saudi railways?<br /><br />A: </b>Let me be honest. There have been many architects before me. Yes, I am very happy to be in this position at this point in time. At Saudi Aramco, I have been closely involved with a number of big projects — building oil terminals, refineries, pipelines and oil and gas separation plants. I worked with them for 38 years. So, yes, working on those projects helped me a great deal. I like my current job because it is challenging. It is not dormant.<br /><br /><b>Q: Are you waiting to get onto the high-speed train to Jeddah just as we are?<br /><br />A:</b> Yes, like everyone I am excited. In the meantime, however, I keep traveling on the train to Riyadh from Dammam. I keep checking them out.</span></span></div><div class="gmail_quote"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="gmail_quote"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="gmail_quote"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><b>— sirajwahab@arabnews.com</b></i></span></span></div><div class="gmail_quote"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div></span>Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-62862105746964708032012-02-07T05:12:00.000-08:002012-02-07T06:35:23.090-08:00My Trip to Azerbaijan in Pictures (Feb. 1-7, 2012)<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIFs5Kl2pBrRPF-HWDHzrvLXh8n7xLirgerHttagIjcMWv_iwnC3qI1nRBgkhuxLzixGfbVtTml9rXSNO0qCxnSFr99PE-HUz-AC5kEW3oVsidDsWyhh513x7nOAGWefhqLMZB1Lre165/s1600/In+a+Baku+public+square.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIFs5Kl2pBrRPF-HWDHzrvLXh8n7xLirgerHttagIjcMWv_iwnC3qI1nRBgkhuxLzixGfbVtTml9rXSNO0qCxnSFr99PE-HUz-AC5kEW3oVsidDsWyhh513x7nOAGWefhqLMZB1Lre165/s400/In+a+Baku+public+square.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706386584156568738" style="display: block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0yYDCEVNIRPa6sy-M2oZ-nakoCPz62PvjufbauryPM43aDfiMnjHcLWl4PPwsYQaDq_t339tRPJXflNcj3CbZGhSwhW2PHSUMesOwxOorauEKadaoVBb1q4BAaBsozYdRHeAfTHdcSBZ/s400/This+is+where+we+stayed.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706381984918576626" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4O8OJttuFNPCSjv3ZUjwFZYqGb8eJk-F9R9sHcX06tqLrvATq56OXT8gSVj0_-JFswZ6ITqMEXgnk6PMrrEUFV4Tky8-OQBDCCjcUgbVn-drhJEEn_KfN5ZnBTAha-TovZMr4FNL5Srum/s1600/Why+Baku+was+imp+to+India.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4O8OJttuFNPCSjv3ZUjwFZYqGb8eJk-F9R9sHcX06tqLrvATq56OXT8gSVj0_-JFswZ6ITqMEXgnk6PMrrEUFV4Tky8-OQBDCCjcUgbVn-drhJEEn_KfN5ZnBTAha-TovZMr4FNL5Srum/s400/Why+Baku+was+imp+to+India.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706381969344481538" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_AqUbThwvKLPwE36WFxEk0_2s1-351ze3RtOH4E-HAdBcJuIpn-jYR3cNI_JiQVAFR-uji926V_tpHbnrpzATmed08z3awxR3CgsX5Yu1XqstzUpdmXg_1skCojJ00mg6Y2wG5NdptNB/s1600/Baku+square.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_AqUbThwvKLPwE36WFxEk0_2s1-351ze3RtOH4E-HAdBcJuIpn-jYR3cNI_JiQVAFR-uji926V_tpHbnrpzATmed08z3awxR3CgsX5Yu1XqstzUpdmXg_1skCojJ00mg6Y2wG5NdptNB/s400/Baku+square.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706392513207982674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56QNXwobFGe8X-MFcDJN5Q7YkYlRCeBUK7bwBG_AsV5qt9OOb7ktWYE5fsbaDHBv7hX5QA7bp5BX09s2X4fIoAUEBCtjr2uV7XfhUNoMRiCvG-UCHfcr61RbZyb70tYgLmfc6rB3FiTxX/s1600/Snow.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56QNXwobFGe8X-MFcDJN5Q7YkYlRCeBUK7bwBG_AsV5qt9OOb7ktWYE5fsbaDHBv7hX5QA7bp5BX09s2X4fIoAUEBCtjr2uV7XfhUNoMRiCvG-UCHfcr61RbZyb70tYgLmfc6rB3FiTxX/s400/Snow.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706386572813996770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div>Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-68354470396035354932012-01-19T01:17:00.000-08:002012-01-19T02:02:26.618-08:00“Saudi Economy Is Much Bigger Than Our Population, and To Fulfill the Requirements of the Economy We Will Still Need to Hire People From Outside”<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJDarx0YW8ts4t2pI4_Mn6zQoQZp0pLeRX4IJYozqc33XnxJYRWil-TS2-1p20BoG2jz1TE4Y66ArChAwz6NL0hwsjgmRwcHkp56gWngHBjC0kUG_LjDbN5lARQ7aaT479xegsszUfUz9/s1600/Abdul+Rahman+Al-Rashed.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJDarx0YW8ts4t2pI4_Mn6zQoQZp0pLeRX4IJYozqc33XnxJYRWil-TS2-1p20BoG2jz1TE4Y66ArChAwz6NL0hwsjgmRwcHkp56gWngHBjC0kUG_LjDbN5lARQ7aaT479xegsszUfUz9/s400/Abdul+Rahman+Al-Rashed.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699277865727488658" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Asharqia Chamber Chairman Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed</span></i></div></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><i></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_vHI2-8MNtwVE7n86kCZTm6NaDvUOqagGvp4sKBzwk0dDJjFPg_e9nKcC9fMQSMS1JnLv0NTp7RlURURTtE0M_ecZ-ZGCjBv8GUf0_nEcfEyL5O679gAGe8rR2UEEqfSFcnQDwWqjxQJ/s1600/Abdul+Rahman+Al-Rashed+talking+to+Sirasj+Wahab+of+Arab+News.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_vHI2-8MNtwVE7n86kCZTm6NaDvUOqagGvp4sKBzwk0dDJjFPg_e9nKcC9fMQSMS1JnLv0NTp7RlURURTtE0M_ecZ-ZGCjBv8GUf0_nEcfEyL5O679gAGe8rR2UEEqfSFcnQDwWqjxQJ/s400/Abdul+Rahman+Al-Rashed+talking+to+Sirasj+Wahab+of+Arab+News.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699277848133841234" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9U7OIHWPIIXMe4xN6oPg12wgV9_N21KObprIhSYgsuT4D1nF1B6qDsdyWaeaNgzN7nbOC6Cv3CT6hScbVCluvAUQMwgamQRTx5rjKUDi8LwOH2a-s9WMB1LfbY24rkxj2EXI1CTZgnEwJ/s1600/AbdulRahman+Al-Rashed+interview+in+Arab+News.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9U7OIHWPIIXMe4xN6oPg12wgV9_N21KObprIhSYgsuT4D1nF1B6qDsdyWaeaNgzN7nbOC6Cv3CT6hScbVCluvAUQMwgamQRTx5rjKUDi8LwOH2a-s9WMB1LfbY24rkxj2EXI1CTZgnEwJ/s400/AbdulRahman+Al-Rashed+interview+in+Arab+News.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699277844425791970" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">“</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">But I want to reiterate that this illegal expatriate business should stop ... We can’t accept this distortion in our labor market,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">”</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> says </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">well-known Saudi businessman Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed in this exclusive interview to Arab News.</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>By Siraj Wahab</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i>Published in </i><a href="http://arabnews.com/economy/article563811.ece"><i>Arab News</i></a><i> on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;">Bold, articulate, media savvy and modest, 49-year-old Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed comes from one of the Kingdom’s major business families. The popularity of this Seattle University finance graduate in the Eastern Province business community can be gauged from the comfortable margins by which he has won the Asharqia Chamber elections.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;">Al-Rashed was first elected as a board member in 1998 and — after winning subsequent elections — went on to become the chairman of the chamber’s board of directors. This is his third consecutive term as the chamber chief. His success at the chamber is rated next only to the respected businessman, the late Sheikh Saad Al-Moajil.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;">Since he comes from a reputable business conglomerate — </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.alrashed.com/">Rashed Al-Rashed & Sons Group</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"> — and sits on the board of over a dozen key business organizations, Al-Rashed is fully in sync with the needs of the business community. Under his leadership, the chamber has embarked on a series of programs, seminars and exhibitions to keep the business community informed of opportunities, challenges and regulations. He is particularly keen to help young Saudis launch businesses.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;">In this exclusive wide-ranging interview with Arab News, Al-Rashed makes a convincing case for helping young Saudi entrepreneurs. He is totally against those expatriates who have “distorted the labor market” by their illegal activities. “Ours is a land of opportunity, not a land of charity,” he insists. “Let the expatriates come up with good ideas and start their own businesses; we are fine with them, but they should do it through legal channels … They should go through the same procedure that a young Saudi goes through to start up a business.”</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><i>Below are some of the main points from the interview:</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>Q: You have been associated with the Eastern Province chamber for a long time. You have won all the elections that you have contested. What is behind your success?</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>A:</b> I have always wanted to serve people. I believe that if one has the ability and the capability to serve society, then one should not hesitate to take the lead. My father (may Allah be pleased with him) and my mother (may God grant her good health) taught me that we should not be selfish in our approach. Society is always in need of people who can contribute toward its general progress. It is not just the uplifting of one’s home and family that should be of concern to us; it is the uplifting of the entire society that should be important to all of us. This is always at the back of my mind. The private sector and the business community have a lot of requirements. I have many friends who faced enormous challenges in starting up businesses. They were not as fortunate as I have been; I had my father’s established business. These friends had to start from scratch. I have seen and felt their pain when they went through the difficult processes of acquiring business licenses and overcoming bureaucratic hurdles. Since then, it has become my mission not to let young Saudis go through such agony. So here at the chamber we are always trying to look for solutions.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>Q: You seem to be an ardent admirer and advocate of the free market economy. Is there a particular reason for this?</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>A:</b> We are a nation of entrepreneurs. Ever since King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud first founded the Kingdom, the notion of an open economy and entrepreneurship has been embedded in our culture. Throughout history Arabs have been known for their trading activity and entrepreneurial skills. More important, Islam also promotes an open economy and free trade. Arab traders have a legendary history; they spread the message of Islam to the remote corners of the globe. The free economy is a major pillar of our nation’s success. We need to maintain and promote this heritage. In order to do so, we need to make sure our legislations and laws are geared to promoting a thriving free market economy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>Q: After graduating from the United States you returned to join Samba and not the family business.</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>A:</b> I finished my schooling in Alkhobar and went to Seattle University and received a finance degree in 1985. When I returned, I joined Samba and stayed with them for a few years. My father wanted us all to understand the difficult and gradual process that one has to go through before rising to the top. His view was: You cannot be a boss if you are not bossed. Having a thriving family business does not mean that you automatically become the boss. I acquired considerable knowledge and experience at Samba and then, at the request of my father, joined the family business.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>Q: So when did your long relationship with the chamber of commerce begin?</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>A:</b> My association with the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce (now known simply as the Asharqia Chamber) began in 1998 when I joined it as a board member. I went with a group of people led by prominent businessman Engineer Khalid Al-Zamil. He was then the chamber vice-chairman while the late Sheikh Saad Al-Moajil was chairman. It was Al-Zamil who brought me into the chamber. I learned a lot from him, he was a mentor to me and I owe much to him. This is my 10th year as the chamber chairman; I first headed it in 2002. Here at the chamber, you can survive only if you earn people’s trust. I know full well that if the members do not support me, then I will not be chairman. It is not an easy job. It entails a lot of work, hard work. You have to listen to all kinds of complaints from all kinds of members. The success of this prestigious chamber did not emerge from a vacuum; it is a product of all the processes that it has gone through in the 60 years of its existence under various founders and leaders. Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed did not do anything spectacular; he merely continued the good work of his predecessors.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>Q: You are being modest, Ustaz Abdul Rahman.</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>A: </b>No, this is a fact. I have learned from what my predecessors did. At the end of the day, this is an organization and like all organizations it evolved and will continue to evolve. The one who comes after me will Insha’Allah do an even better job.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>Q: What are the chamber’s major tasks?</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>A:</b> To market the Eastern Province as a major investment hub — something that it is. To achieve this goal, we work closely with all government entities to make it even more investor-friendly by cutting down red-tape. We are in constant touch with foreign missions. We share information with them and provide answers and data in response to their specific enquiries. We maintain excellent rapport with the offices of Eastern Province Governor Prince Mohammad bin Fahd and Deputy Governor Prince Jiluwi. They are very supportive. They play a very important role and are always focused on how to improve the business environment.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>Q: Businesses in the Eastern Province have long been tied to the petroleum industry which has expanded now to include petrochemicals. Do you see that trend continuing or do you see more economic diversification coming in the Eastern Province?</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>A: </b>Diversifying our economy has always been the main goal. Oil and gas are our natural resources, our natural wealth. We want to expand our economy and we have succeeded in doing just that. Oil and gas mean many things: Petrochemicals, power generation, mining, the service industry, etc. These are the areas we can — and are — diversifying into. The most important thing is to focus on the localization of these industries. For example, take the service industry, it is huge. Servicing the oil and gas industry, the petrochemical industry, the water and power generation industry will lead to enormous quantities of business. Also, remember that we are a vibrant and young nation. Sixty-five percent of our population is below the age of 25; this in itself is a huge asset and a wealth. Look at some of the nations around the world, they do not have the natural resources, yet they are leaders because their real wealth is their people, their talented people. We need to develop this talent.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>Q: So is the Kingdom succeeding in developing the talent of its people?</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>A:</b> No, not to the extent we want to. Take the oil and gas industry. We have been producing oil for more than seven decades now and we control 25 percent of the world’s oil reserves. We should not have been only exporting oil and the byproducts of oil, but we should also have been exporting oil extraction and oil exploration expertise and techniques. There is something seriously wrong when we do not see our petroleum engineers working across the globe. They should have been everywhere. At least all the petroleum engineers in the Gulf region should have come from Saudi Arabia. Saudis should have been developing oil fields, managing rigs, doing drilling and all that. Unfortunately, that has not happened.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>Q: Let us go back to your statement about the huge service industry. How big is it? Can you please elaborate on that?</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>A:</b> Look, we are still a net importer of services. If you take the money that we have already spent and committed for infrastructural projects between 2005 and 2015, it totals $100 billion. This is a massive investment.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>Q: $100 billion between 2005 and 2015?</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>A: </b>Yes, a $100 billion investment. If you take oil and gas projects, and petrochemical, mining, power generation, water production projects. Think of the headline projects by Saudi Aramco (SATORP, Sadara), SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corp.), SWCC (Saline Water Conversion Corp.), Maa’den (Saudi Arabian Mining Co.). Yes, they add up to $100 billion which is SR375 billion. After all these massive projects are complete, we will be spending at least 5 percent of the total value of these investments in maintenance. That gives you a service industry that is worth roughly around $7 billion to $8 billion. Is that not a robust industry? You are talking here about a huge economic mass. So what are we going to do to localize these services? Are we still going to hire all the expertise from outside? Shouldn’t we direct our youngsters to perform these jobs, make sure they are up to the task and train them to acquire the required skills for the maintenance of these huge investments? This is one way of diversifying our economy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>Q: Jubail is seeing a remarkable period of growth and development. Do you expect an increase in retail businesses and more residential development in support of this growing population?</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>A:</b> If you go to Jubail and take a good look at the housing projects being constructed by private investors and the General Organization for Social Insurance, you will realize their great size. There has been a phenomenal increase in the housing sector to cope with the rising demand. Jubail is expanding like never before. Jubail 1 and Jubail 2 are almost full, and the day is not far off when we may be talking about Jubail 3 and Jubail 4. Jubail’s population is set to rise because of the massive upcoming projects such as the Saudi Aramco Total Refining and Petrochemical Co. (SATORP) and Sadara (Saudi Aramco’s joint venture with Dow Chemical). Then we have the expansion of the current petrochemical plants that are doubling and trebling and, in many cases, even quadrupling their capacities. We will need housing for thousands and thousands of people who will be working in these companies and plants.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>Q: There is also development of an aluminum operation planned for Ras Al-Khair using bauxite brought by rail from the Central Region. Do you have any comments about its significance?</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>A:</b> Yes, Ras Al-Khair (Ras Al-Zour) is undergoing massive development, and it is only 80 km from Jubail. It is going to be linked by rail to Jubail and Dammam. We all know Ras Al-Khair is set to become a major export hub for aluminum products and ammonium phosphate. The Ras Al-Khair-Jubail-Dammam rail link means a lot of people working in Ras Al-Khair will be living mostly in Jubail or on the outskirts of Dammam in view of better living environments and better schooling facilities for their children. Since it will be a mere 25-minute train ride to Ras Al-Khair from Jubail, people will not mind commuting between the two cities. I believe not many people will take up residence in Ras Al-Khair after rail links are fully established.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>Q: So the Ras Al-Khair-Jubail-Dammam rail link is set to change the face of the Eastern Province?</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>A: </b>Absolutely. It will lead to a number of positive changes. There will be heavy transport of cargo and people back and forth. This will lead to huge demographic changes. People will become more mobile. Those who are in Dammam will find it easy to work in Jubail. They will just take a 40-minute train ride to Jubail; the connectivity will be like what we see in Europe. New districts and new clusters of industries will develop along the train route and new highways.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>Q: You talked about localization before. The latest Saudization effort has been in effect for a few months now. Are most businesses able to comply with the new regulations?</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>A:</b> I want to make one thing very clear. We respect all expatriates. They have done a good job and we thank them for that. Yes, we still require expertise from the outside. That is not something exclusive to us. Even the United States and Germany have to hire people from outside their borders. However, there is one thing about our labor market, it is distorted. Foreigners are carrying on a lot of illegal economic activity here. We want expatriates to work legally. Ours is a land of opportunity, not a land of charity. Let the expatriates come up with good ideas and start their own businesses, we are fine with them, but they should do it through the legal channels. They should go through the same procedure that a young Saudi goes through to start up a business. Pay your dues. You cannot come in here illegally and compete with Saudis, young Saudis, to open businesses. Young Saudis have to pay more; they suffer more because they work legally. Since they work legally, it is much more expensive for them compared to the unlicensed illegal expatriates working in the gray market. This is not fair. This is unacceptable. Because of this gray market and illegal work, we are being made to compromise on quality. It is reflecting badly on the quality of services that our society is getting. This lousy and low quality service is a direct result of the black market. We deserve better and so we need to rectify this situation. We are a young nation. We have a young population. Our youngsters need jobs. We need to make our economy vibrant so that we can absorb these youngsters into various jobs.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>Q: Are the Saudization efforts succeeding and how do you see the way out?</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><b>A:</b> Of course there are difficulties. When we have such efforts, what happens is that it becomes difficult to differentiate between the good guys and the bad guys. Therefore, you have do a delicate balancing act. The labor minister (may God help him) is doing the real balancing act. His is a very tough job because he does not want to sacrifice what is good while punishing the bad. Sometimes he brings in legislation to tackle the black-market guys and the good guys become the unintended victims. He does not want to victimize the good guy. He wants to maintain our economic gains. At the same time, he wants to make sure that every job created by this economy goes to Saudis first. If we don’t find Saudis, then he wants to make sure that our schools and colleges and universities are geared toward providing Saudis to fill those jobs and acquire the needed expertise. Having said all this, let me also state that our economy is much bigger than our population, and to fulfill the requirements of the burgeoning economy we will still need to hire people from outside. Say we have a million or two unemployed Saudi men and women … Even if we employ all of them, then we will still leave a gap of two to three million in the market. But again I want to reiterate that this illegal expatriate business should stop. We can’t accept this distortion in our labor market. Saudis should — and must — come first.</span></div><div><br /></div></span></div>Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-85845288343107751672011-12-01T07:37:00.000-08:002011-12-03T02:17:27.507-08:00'PMU Aims to Remove the Barrier Between Saudi Academic and Business Communities'<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYNSLIAYn4GjXHF08xdDNQ9xthhPexUvFiuzzfsf9F1uQX-3c4C1BUs-HVT-V6MpSjqGIcf-2tXGgDMjfn7iqrocQWYciy95L8QPN2eul7ExB6a5iTwZUxGj6ozXNQ2uSCUp1lzoqLaEh/s1600/Dr.+Issa+Al-Ansari.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYNSLIAYn4GjXHF08xdDNQ9xthhPexUvFiuzzfsf9F1uQX-3c4C1BUs-HVT-V6MpSjqGIcf-2tXGgDMjfn7iqrocQWYciy95L8QPN2eul7ExB6a5iTwZUxGj6ozXNQ2uSCUp1lzoqLaEh/s400/Dr.+Issa+Al-Ansari.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681190688084615426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYB5N77GuH70HgNF4RYMDsoKf8C7DbToh5wzcfwebPviTDy8CGiNKAbSqxio2gIJaCT05XY1r5u93ZoMegJxRlPS68RZGc0dotIRftLioj3Ez7JMG-V3AEQQcWKlI0Sr_0nuEZYA8DrKE9/s1600/Dr.+Issa+Al-Ansari+talking+to+Arab+News.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYB5N77GuH70HgNF4RYMDsoKf8C7DbToh5wzcfwebPviTDy8CGiNKAbSqxio2gIJaCT05XY1r5u93ZoMegJxRlPS68RZGc0dotIRftLioj3Ez7JMG-V3AEQQcWKlI0Sr_0nuEZYA8DrKE9/s400/Dr.+Issa+Al-Ansari+talking+to+Arab+News.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681190684956717282" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2f67B5yrUBuuRFT2yJgrfgKTQOpQJAcBguiaoO6y_qJu5nY0lldgH3sfcY_lbSISk_Ee-lUStNZbS_AUeugteGM9-h_PYnPp3Jw_QRrXm7sybjp5kXFT0uQIGnl0UAsSmI38p5SziUAN/s1600/Dr+Issa+Al-Ansari+interview+in+Arab+News.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2f67B5yrUBuuRFT2yJgrfgKTQOpQJAcBguiaoO6y_qJu5nY0lldgH3sfcY_lbSISk_Ee-lUStNZbS_AUeugteGM9-h_PYnPp3Jw_QRrXm7sybjp5kXFT0uQIGnl0UAsSmI38p5SziUAN/s400/Dr+Issa+Al-Ansari+interview+in+Arab+News.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681190364388853474" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></u></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:small;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Exclusive Interview With PMU Rector Dr. Issa Al-Ansari</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">By Siraj Wahab</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Published in </span><a href="http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article541198.ece"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Arab News</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University, located on a sprawling campus along Alkhobar’s picturesque Half Moon Beach, is no ordinary institution. As one of the key initiatives of Eastern Province Gov. Prince Mohammad bin Fahd, the primary idea behind creating this excellent and modern seat of learning was to prepare future leaders in various fields of knowledge and to remove the barrier between the academic and business communities.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The move to create this one-of-its-kind university was first proposed in 2002, but it took four years of hard work, many feasibility studies and numerous contacts with the world of academia across the globe before the dream became a reality. When 500 men and women graduated from the university recently, there were many happy faces. Among them was that of the 52-year-old erudite gentleman Dr. Issa Al-Ansari who is the university’s rector.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">A veteran educator who has been involved in many educational projects since graduating from Riyadh’s King Saud University, he was at the center of the creation of the new university. “The mandate from Prince Mohammad bin Fahd was very clear – to create a world-class university that can contribute to the real development of Saudis and Saudi Arabia,” he told Arab News in an exclusive interview in his office. “The quest for excellence was and is at the heart of PMU’s existence.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">A cursory look at Al-Ansari’s achievements reveals the much-accomplished administrator and academic that he is. After his graduation in English Language Studies from King Saud University, he obtained his master’s degree from Pittsburgh University in the United States and his PhD from Southampton University in England. Before becoming PMU’s rector, Al-Ansari was dean of the College of Technology in Dammam. He has made many invaluable contributions by serving the local community as supervisor general of the Prince Mohammad bin Fahd Program for Youth Development, and as chairman of the Council of Educational and Social Committee in the Eastern Province. He is a key member of the Committee of the Prince Mohammad bin Fahd Prize for Scientific Distinction and the popular governor’s close adviser.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">According to Al-Ansari, the continuing rapid development of Saudi Arabia and the growth of various new sectors of the Kingdom’s economy call for a substantial number of university graduates capable of leadership in diverse fields such as business, engineering, information technology, cultural studies, education, community development and public administration.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">He says one of the objectives of the university is to link academic programs and specializations with the actual requirements of the surrounding work environment. “This is undertaken by maintaining effective participation and cooperation between the university and local business firms.” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">“Prince Mohammad greatly believes that the challenges of the modern workplace could be met only through high-quality education. To make this dream come true, he took the initiative in 2002 to help establish this university with unique characteristics and distinctive mission-vision statements,” Al-Ansari said. The university has 3,500 students, both men and women on its rolls.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i>Following are the excerpts from the interview:</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Q: So what is unique about the university?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>A:</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"> Ours is not a traditional way of teaching. We have adapted what we call the learning environment, meaning our students can learn everywhere on the campus — not just in the classroom — that is the last place where learning takes place. As soon as our students enter the campus the learning process begins, whether at the library, in the corridor, the coffee-shops or here in my office, everything is Wi-Fi connected and is geared toward creating a learning environment. The moment our students switch on their laptops, they have their own learning portfolio; this is just like any financial portfolio. We have invested heavily in information technology. The other most important aspect is our faculty. Ninety percent or more than 90 percent of our faculty members come from abroad — from some of the finest institutions of learning in the world. They come from 26 different nations. The idea behind having this incredibly international faculty is to promote what we call a multicultural society. Here at PMU we are trying to encourage our students and their instructors to live with each other and to learn from each other. We are providing them with the right environment for learning. We want to instill in them what we call the global competencies — critical thinking, self-development, IT, teamwork and English language. Before placing a single brick, Prince Mohammad’s mandate was clear: He wanted something unique. He wanted a university that offered quality education. And so the first thing we did was to sign on with Texas International Educational Consortium (TIEC). It is a group of 32 American universities. We sent the university designer Zuhair Fayez to the United States to meet with TIEC with a view to adapting the learning-environment philosophy while he built the university. That is why if you notice you will see from inside and outside an extraordinarily long corridor; it has a philosophy behind it. That is to encourage our students to learn from each other. You will see so many groups of students in clusters talking together, engaged in discussions. This guy, a senior from engineering; another one a business management junior; yet another a sophomore … they are talking together, sharing their experiences. This is the idea. We are not a traditional university.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Q: What about curriculum design? Is it always evolving to suit the local needs?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>A: </b>Let me clarify: We are not designing our curriculum on the basis of the local marketplace. We design our curriculum on the basis of the needs of the global marketplace because we expect our graduates to compete with the best in the world. Our graduates might and do compete in the Gulf marketplace; they might go to Europe; they might go to the United States. We are preparing our graduates to be capable of meeting global needs — not just with the needs of the Saudi market. The Saudi market needs are only a part of global needs. Let me also state that even when our graduates work in the Saudi marketplace, they face competition from a multinational work force. There are so many expatriates in this country, so our graduates have to know the culture of others; they need to know how to communicate with others; they have to be fluent in English in order to communicate with the expatriates. We are preparing our graduates for the global marketplace. That is why when we designed the curriculum, we did what we call “the needs assessment.” Right in the beginning we invited big companies such as Saudi Aramco, SABIC, SCECO and others. We conducted many workshops. They told us about their wants. We invited TIEC to understand the global wants. And then we mixed the local wants and the global wants with what we want as a nation, as a society and as a university … all of these were formulated into what we called the needs, and then we designed our curriculum on that basis. It was a very, very long journey. From 2002 until 2006 we were working merely on theoretical aspects. We wanted to get the fundamentals right.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Q: Does the university have a focus on humanities?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>A:</b> Recently we have established the college of humanities. We now offer a degree in human resources management; we offer a degree in law as well. We have some graduate studies. We started the executive MBA degree three years ago. This year we are offering another graduate program in education. Next year we will have a graduate program in engineering and IT as well. We have very good relationship with industry. We have, for example, two endowed chairs with Saudi Aramco, one in supply chain and the other one in environmental studies.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Q. What role does higher education and specifically your university play in transforming Saudi Arabia into a knowledge-based economy?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>A:</b> Higher education plays a pivotal role in realizing the development plans of Saudi Arabia and in transforming it into a knowledge-based economy. The visionary steps of Prince Mohammad paved the way for the establishment of this university. As I said in the beginning, the aim was to provide quality, modern education with international standards in the Kingdom itself, so that Saudi youth wouldn’t have to seek it abroad. I believe that Saudi Arabia is rapidly becoming a knowledge-based economy. Its businesses and industries are adopting the latest technologies and establishing strong ties with international markets. Universities in the Kingdom are trying to provide the required expertise, undertake research and graduate studies in the different academic fields in order to face the challenges imposed by a knowledge-based economy. It is within the mission of PMU to break all barriers between academia and the business world, disseminate knowledge and perform applied research to help and support enterprises to perform as efficiently as possible and attain the economic growth they are targeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Q: Does your university work together with its foreign counterparts? Can you give us some details?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>A:</b> Over the past few years PMU has succeeded in establishing a number of memoranda of understanding with international universities and institutions. These MOUs provide valuable opportunities for PMU to work with counterparts that represent a diversity of backgrounds since the universities and institutions are located in different countries around the world. These countries include the United States, Britain, Germany, The Netherlands, Canada, Japan, China, India and Australia. PMU adopts the North American model of education, and, as I mentioned right at the beginning, our system and academic programs have been designed by TIEC (Texas International Educational Consortium).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Q: It would seem that university officials would have to seek a near-perfect balance between the capabilities of Saudi students entering the job market and international standards for education. Has this been a challenge?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>A:</b> Since Day 1, PMU had decided on certain objectives that became guidelines for all future projects. The founders of PMU decided that it would be a Saudi university with international standards and also decided the profile of the graduates. Graduates of PMU must possess six competences, and these are communication, technology, professional competence, critical thinking and problem solving, teamwork and leadership. Of course there is a challenge to prepare entering students and graduate them with the required profile; however, PMU has succeeded in doing that. This is still a big challenge facing many traditional universities, but PMU succeeded in creating a student-based learning environment and equipped it with all the necessary supporting facilities including the most modern and effective instructional technology.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Q: In an earlier interview regarding preparing students for overseas study, you mentioned a set of skills those students needed for academic success abroad. It would appear the university is focused to a large extent on technical and engineering degrees but still immersed in the humanities.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>A:</b> PMU started with three colleges: College of Engineering, College of Computer Engineering and Science and the College of Business Administration. Recently, a fourth college was established, and that is the College of Arts and Sciences. Also, the university is considering the establishment of a college of medicine. All these colleges have been established based on the results of feasibility studies. Thus PMU does not focus on technical and engineering studies only but caters to all academic fields. The most important objectives are to fulfill the needs of its surrounding community. PMU considers certain aspects of humanities are important for building the knowledge base of all students. Therefore, PMU designed and delivers a core curriculum to all its students in the freshman year. All students learn basic language skills. For students planning to study abroad, language skills are of paramount importance. In addition students must be aware of a number of cultural issues, so they can connect to their new environments and communities.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Q: Do you see the further expansion of university programs occurring with a broader field of majors in different disciplines or do you expect the institution to retain its initial character for some time to come?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>A: </b>University leadership has envisioned a broader perspective that PMU is striving to achieve in the next few years through both short- and long-term plans. There are plans to establish new majors within the existing colleges and also to establish new colleges. The aim is to increase the capacity of higher-education venues. PMU will establish joint programs through expanding its partnerships with academic institutions and corporations in the coming years.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Q: How do you view the government’s support for higher education? How does this reflect the development of higher education?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>A:</b> The government’s support is remarkable to say the least. The number of public universities has quadrupled in a few years’ time. Universities are spread throughout all the provinces of the Kingdom. In parallel, private universities have been established in major cities to provide an extra venue for higher education. The increase in the number of higher-education institutions brings with it a strong drive among universities to attain high quality in all their activities. This will definitely lead to the development of higher education in the Kingdom and make it more compliant with international standards.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Q: Over the years, studies and surveys have recommended careers for young students to consider that often result in gluts of trained people competing for a limited number of positions. Is this a concern for the university, and if so, what are the measures taken to prevent such oversupplies?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>A: </b>The world is a global village today. Saudi Arabia is definitely not in seclusion as there is rapid progress in industrialization, trade opportunities and global tie-ups, which necessarily demand a maximum number of professionals from various disciplines to come together and join hands in nation-building attempts. PMU envisions such demands through evaluating the present and future needs and hence offers courses that are perfectly aligned with the identified needs.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Q: Private-sector employers say that graduates still have to undergo some kind of training before they are absorbed in the job market. What is your experience in that regard?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>A:</b> No university can prepare students and graduate them to fit into every available job in the workplace. For example, graduates from the mechanical engineering program cannot possess all skills required by the multitude of jobs that relate to mechanical engineering. Graduates need some specialized training before they are able to perform as required by their employees. This kind of job-specific training must be provided by employers and is not the responsibility of universities. However, universities must make students acquire the competencies that will enable them to quickly adapt to their work environments and acquire the skills required by their jobs. PMU has made the acquisition of such competences central to its academic mission and has designed all its academic programs and activities on campus to make students acquire them.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Q: Do you have any advice for parents of young students who hope to gain entrance to universities instead of telling them only to study hard? How can parents best help their young people achieve their educational goals?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>A: </b>Parents must understand that the new generation has to compete with the changing trends in the world to succeed in the present knowledge-based society. Parents must act as motivators for young students and help them grow as whole persons. Just memorizing what they are taught in schools is not enough. They must get engaged in other activities to sharpen their skills and be able to compete and succeed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Q: Where would you like to see the university in 10-years’ time and are you on the right track to get there?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>A:</b> PMU started its first academic year in 2006, and ever since it has been operating according to a well-defined implementation plan. During the first five years the university had a set of strategic goals. We believe that PMU has accomplished almost all its strategic objectives and has successfully graduated its first batch of students. In 10 years, I would like to see PMU fulfilling international standards in all its endeavors, and the base for accomplishing this is already there.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Q: Any closing thoughts you would like to share?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>A:</b> PMU is a realization of an ambitious idea conceived by Prince Mohammad. It is an institution of higher education dedicated to providing educational opportunities to both men and women. Prince Mohammad has also launched a new initiative under the umbrella of PMU to cater to the needs of a precious part of the community and that is the visually impaired. A new college called Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz for the Visually Impaired is being established and will soon start its first academic year. Also, PMU hosts the Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz Chair for Youth Development, which has already started functioning to fulfill its objectives.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Q: Thank you, Dr. Al-Ansari. One last question: You have had such a long and illustrious career in the field of education. What gives you immense satisfaction as an educator?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>A: </b>When you start something from scratch, and you see this thing growing and serving the community — in one way or another, that is the happiest moment. We were very happy at the graduation ceremony. There were 500 students — men and women. We played our role in making them what they are, for shaping their minds — making them good human beings, good leaders. You are dealing with human beings. You are not constructing a building or building a car; you are building people. That is what is immensely gratifying to me and to all those who have been involved in the creation of this university from the ground up.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span><p></p>Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-91279705489735411612011-11-13T03:28:00.000-08:002011-11-13T03:37:12.161-08:00From Haj 2011<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczGLUgaoCzYcAl9iNfFYejCdxU44E8WxYoGSX9LlD5XDq2VUYHLlO3jOcYo2TK7-1AWXNI5yT-2ufwl2dw7GpJBzXuIt2s4Mp0iBrz9XB3oPG1FPf42mmp2Ocmv92tPhO-QMRoGntxhyphenhyphenQ/s1600/Haj+Diary+Arab+News.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczGLUgaoCzYcAl9iNfFYejCdxU44E8WxYoGSX9LlD5XDq2VUYHLlO3jOcYo2TK7-1AWXNI5yT-2ufwl2dw7GpJBzXuIt2s4Mp0iBrz9XB3oPG1FPf42mmp2Ocmv92tPhO-QMRoGntxhyphenhyphenQ/s400/Haj+Diary+Arab+News.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674442699097447058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqf0f6-Zi8m-kXItlSzdHNk2ns1p55tnBJ0jWE5knQGTgzAIcna6EtgzRZG2B99Dig3zTXHmnTCT216K2CUxkqJ8CpG7QLR-ip-EMHo9VExphHN9MjRP5COCEcBG47rpuhKIO5DkxNyWhO/s1600/Haj+Diary+Day+4+2011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqf0f6-Zi8m-kXItlSzdHNk2ns1p55tnBJ0jWE5knQGTgzAIcna6EtgzRZG2B99Dig3zTXHmnTCT216K2CUxkqJ8CpG7QLR-ip-EMHo9VExphHN9MjRP5COCEcBG47rpuhKIO5DkxNyWhO/s400/Haj+Diary+Day+4+2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674442181599416786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFBwnjAOpQ5XYGvN0ajmHLLORvbH3ABoAqDxIk-9_8OP_Ns2fmaFLaQ-8cbjP0HmMBJGOW5B_vBAZC7rI2OcK9EKBniWyGkrit-XMjSBNIjSoD1kC9wjC93Rpf9vJ-zSxUVi-7OOxOFm9/s1600/Haj+Diary+Arab+News.jpg"></a>Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-27502657497104301512011-10-22T01:24:00.000-07:002011-10-22T01:47:19.840-07:00Saudi Crown Prince Sultan Dies After Prolonged Illness: Funeral on Tuesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8obiFBtdot5frV9lyYQgygpif5aD7aLnW7YPzLTtN9j5Yu-4-oKqNo3zYqDKkDUl_LIq4v-rps5wwBccHJ6ZqNJj8A4gZZub0eb_x-pMsyAholclwZHI8rlmy-J0z5D5qEJTfjHSDbpdW/s1600/Crown+Prince+Sultan.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8obiFBtdot5frV9lyYQgygpif5aD7aLnW7YPzLTtN9j5Yu-4-oKqNo3zYqDKkDUl_LIq4v-rps5wwBccHJ6ZqNJj8A4gZZub0eb_x-pMsyAholclwZHI8rlmy-J0z5D5qEJTfjHSDbpdW/s400/Crown+Prince+Sultan.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666233364810431170" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“May Allah bless the soul of Crown Prince Sultan and grant him the best reward for his services for his religion and homeland.” He died on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011.</span></span></span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">By Siraj Wahab</span></span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">sirajwahab@arabnews.com</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud died in the United States on Saturday, the Saudi Press Agency announced. He was 83. His debilitating health problems had kept him out of the public eye for quite some time.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“May Allah bless his soul and grant him the best reward for his services for his religion and homeland,” said a statement from the Royal Court. As crown prince, h<o:p>e was first in the line of succession.</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">He will be buried in Riyadh on Tuesday, Saudi TV’s Channel 2 announced in its 10:00 a.m. bulletin. The funeral prayers will be held at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque after Asr prayers.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Born in Riyadh in 1928, Crown Prince Sultan was the half-brother of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. He was Saudi Arabia’s deputy prime minister and the minister of defense and aviation, and was a central figure in Saudi decision-making.</p><p class="MsoNormal">He is survived by a number of children; they include Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the former ambassador to the United States who now heads the National Security Council, and Prince Khaled bin Sultan, the deputy defense minister.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud founded the Kingdom more than 70 years ago. Since his death in 1953, Saudi Arabia has been unified, stabilized and modernized by his illustrious sons. The founder had over 40 sons. So far five brothers have become kings and around 20 are serving the land of the Two Holy Mosques in various key capacities.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Like the late King Fahd, Crown Prince Sultan was born to King Abdul Aziz by his favorite wife Hessa bint Ahmad Al-Sudairy. Among her other famous children are Interior Minister Prince Naif, who will now become the new crown prince, and Prince Salman, the far-sighted governor of Riyadh.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Crown Prince Sultan was the defense minister in 1990 when the First Gulf War took place to check the onward march of Saddam Hussein’s rampaging men. His son, Prince Khaled bin Sultan, served as the top commander in Operation Desert Storm, in which Saudi and international forces drove Saddam's forces out of Kuwait.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">He was appointed governor of Riyadh in 1947. He was simultaneously assisting his father in the setting up of a national administrative system based on the implementation of Shariah (the Islamic law). In 1953, he became Saudi Arabia’s first minister of agriculture.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Two years later, Sultan became minister of transportation, supervising the development of Saudi Arabia’s massive roads and telecommunications network, and the construction of the railway system connecting the eastern city of Dammam with the central city Riyadh, the capital.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Unlike in other parts of the world, the line of succession in Saudi Arabia does not move directly from father to eldest son, but passes down a line of brothers born to the founder.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7477417861307618482.post-35378099970978900192011-10-16T06:04:00.000-07:002011-10-16T06:32:23.016-07:00'Arabia' Dazzles Princes and Diplomats at Grand Saudi Premiere<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2pT259tbyAiOR96i4hTAlnQtU5Lpfm4aOeBcHV4sFfjdnyURorlpjyjzbSEdF6eVCKMZduHH6byk-nLzdhMosGkD1UWLNZxOyzU4rYL2EigpmJsMDE8A6u3Sz1GULEWUKsObgbJOphFp/s1600/Arabia+Tradition.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2pT259tbyAiOR96i4hTAlnQtU5Lpfm4aOeBcHV4sFfjdnyURorlpjyjzbSEdF6eVCKMZduHH6byk-nLzdhMosGkD1UWLNZxOyzU4rYL2EigpmJsMDE8A6u3Sz1GULEWUKsObgbJOphFp/s400/Arabia+Tradition.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664082120314105602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyei-Hsd5MXJDUsQDNLFiFxvHM8F4wzPlh0xpXuzOP3c1_kwT60hfn7dq-gt1DeULef4ookpOE0GdswRrTHaZZVnpaxe8-e7X-jUoXiN_3R85hhBnOeqO9NWmp7L02d13n6aS75h7v4LOw/s1600/Arabia+Prince.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyei-Hsd5MXJDUsQDNLFiFxvHM8F4wzPlh0xpXuzOP3c1_kwT60hfn7dq-gt1DeULef4ookpOE0GdswRrTHaZZVnpaxe8-e7X-jUoXiN_3R85hhBnOeqO9NWmp7L02d13n6aS75h7v4LOw/s400/Arabia+Prince.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664081713603203618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf32OFoKdlIrUJeEoJg8pY573PVxDHh0n8s1RZ_iuEd0H4z9TN7PWakDw_GBBM4juPiKtnte-qNvRtTwffi_1BO4u-29ahMDKLsC2L-beenBinrJwnCg3DEPVvkyd7yO4G8gQ0TDdjrc91/s1600/Arabia+3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf32OFoKdlIrUJeEoJg8pY573PVxDHh0n8s1RZ_iuEd0H4z9TN7PWakDw_GBBM4juPiKtnte-qNvRtTwffi_1BO4u-29ahMDKLsC2L-beenBinrJwnCg3DEPVvkyd7yO4G8gQ0TDdjrc91/s400/Arabia+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664080996118506914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwY7DXAWu-WZ-yYqe7qhCn2EUHPmOqSuxr57RuTrTjC6nhX6M1L7Gr_Ei5jmcAm_FgOH8wmf_Jj9niWijHm3RXILjpSRRNv9RZXATD9HN3WwTIfLBA3vYtN06X2sQG74mW0pYhMWVs5-y7/s1600/Arabia+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwY7DXAWu-WZ-yYqe7qhCn2EUHPmOqSuxr57RuTrTjC6nhX6M1L7Gr_Ei5jmcAm_FgOH8wmf_Jj9niWijHm3RXILjpSRRNv9RZXATD9HN3WwTIfLBA3vYtN06X2sQG74mW0pYhMWVs5-y7/s400/Arabia+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664080629951835746" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ahs4t2KcW7pE8GH_05cKW8L9msnkRtPFLv2tKXqrqWrsYEGDg8AT9uqkEDMQVCREsLtqCc7U55QvMCfSxeV5Li_J2spSjG3zSx7zWYJlt6UaI2AyX7hBz-h09BuE7snb3Wp5sTvxakN1/s1600/Arabia+Best.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ahs4t2KcW7pE8GH_05cKW8L9msnkRtPFLv2tKXqrqWrsYEGDg8AT9uqkEDMQVCREsLtqCc7U55QvMCfSxeV5Li_J2spSjG3zSx7zWYJlt6UaI2AyX7hBz-h09BuE7snb3Wp5sTvxakN1/s400/Arabia+Best.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664080605743837810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />By Siraj Wahab</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">sirajwahab@arabnews.com</span> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article510368.ece">Published in Arab News on Oct. 3, 2011</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">A number of high-ranking Saudis and foreign diplomats led by Eastern Province Gov. Prince Muhammad bin Fahd and prominent Jeddah businessman Khaled Alireza traveled through space and time on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, at the premiere of the spectacular new 3D film called "Arabia" at the Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Science and Technology Center's IMAX theater in Alkhobar.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The 45-minute feature is the first to be entirely shot in Saudi Arabia, and it spans 2,000 years of history in the Arabian Peninsula. Presented in the impressive IMAX surround film format, viewers enjoyed a mix of stunning photography, interesting history and contemporary commentary. It is produced and distributed by MacGillivray Freeman Films and presented in association with the Royal Geographical Society, the Oxford Center for Islamic Studies, and the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Well-known Saudi companies such as Xenel Group, Safra Co. Ltd., Flour Corp., Saudi Cable Co., Zahid Group, Alujain Corp., Hidada Ltd., and Tareq Taher provided major funding for the film.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">As the only IMAX theater in Saudi Arabia, it was appropriate to present "Arabia" at Alkhobar's popular Scitech Center. Princes, bureaucrats, diplomats, academics, writers and other notable persons from across the Kingdom turned out for the screening. They included former Culture and Information Minister Iyad Madani, film director Greg MacGillivray, his wife Barbara MacGillivray, Arab News Editor in Chief Khaled Almaeena, historian and best-selling author Robert Lacey, Scitech Director General Muhammad A. Garwan and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Rector Khaled S. Al-Sultan.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">"It is a fantastic movie," said Prince Muhammad after the premiere. "The film highlights the true spirit of Saudi Arabia."</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">"Arabia" is the realization of MacGillivray's vision as told through the eyes of 26-year-old Saudi film student Hamzah Jamjoom, who sets out across the country to explore its history and cultural and geographic diversity. Jamjoom is working on a master's degree in cinematography at DePaul University in Chicago, and his role in this film certainly will bolster the student's career.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The film spans 2,000 years of history and the three "golden ages" of Arabia -- the Nabatean Empire, the Islamic Age, and the current era of oil wealth and technological development.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Jamjoom travels to Riyadh, to the ancient tombs of Madain Saleh, and to the holy city of Makkah. There are some spectacular scenes, especially the aerial views of the Grand Mosque during the Haj, where the sight and sound of thousands of worshippers praying together is akin to a gentle ocean tide.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Although the film is intended for a global audience, Saudis were amazed by their nation's incredible geographic and cultural diversity when seen through the giant-screen views of the exotic peninsula's wilderness and vast cities. The IMAX camera in a helicopter drifts over these landscapes, and then maneuvers through traffic and crowds of people.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">"It is dramatic," said Almaeena. "It is to be seen to be believed; there is no doubt that this producer (Greg MacGillivray) is a genius. Saudi Arabia needs a couple of such films to dispel all the wrong notions that people in the outside world have about us."</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The film's magic carpet touches down in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. Along the way viewers experience giant dunes larger than the Eiffel Tower, pyramidal skyscrapers, Bedouin tribesmen, and other details of the fastest modernizing nation on earth. Well-staged scenes and even brief animation ably filled viewers in on the region's 2,000-year history.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">From the earliest days of the Nabatean frankincense traders to the rise of Islam and the region's intellectual flowering, Arabia has twice risen to global prominence in what scholars say are two distinct Golden Eras: the Nabatean Era (100BCE to 400CE) and the Islamic Golden Era (700CE to 1400CE). During this period of "lost history," Arabian scholarship led to unprecedented advances in science, medicine, mathematics and the arts.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The film takes viewers to the ancient tombs of the lost city of Madain Saleh, where early Nabatean nomads established the region's first camel way station along the frankincense trade route more than 2,000 years ago. They visit the refreshing oasis village of Al-Ula where camel caravans sold their wares in the historic Bedouin markets and souks. They share the legendary hospitality of a Bedouin family and the warmth and glow of their lamp-lit tent. And they explore ancient shipwrecks beneath the Red Sea where today's archaeologists are searching through this sunken museum for clues to the secrets of the ancient past.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">"Arabia" offers its audience an opportunity to travel to a distant land, see a country largely hidden from view, and experience a culture people know little about. The aim of the film is to educate, entertain and encourage understanding at a time when it is urgently needed. On a spectacular visual journey across this desert nation, the film portrays the people, religion, and geography of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">"Arabia" includes amazing aerials, historical imagery and reenactments, as well as heartfelt scenes of ordinary life among people living in exotic, sometimes surprising, locations. The climax of the film takes place at Makkah's Grand Mosque, where 3 million pilgrims gather each year for the Haj. As pilgrims from all over the globe go around the Holy Kaaba in peace and goodwill, viewers have an opportunity to glimpse the spirit of Islam during the largest international gathering in the world. A spirit without which Saudi Arabia would not exist as it does today.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>Siraj Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09434962414188719780noreply@blogger.com0