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Showing posts from 2016

“Muslims need to re-imagine, re-invent and re-invigorate” – Yogendra Yadav.

                  From Left to Right (Arshad Khan, Salman Khurshid, Yogendra Yadav and Suhail Ahmad) The Indian community in Riyadh, one of the largest Indian Muslim communities abroad to be precise, held an event this weekend in the capital on ‘Current Political Discourse in India – A Challenge for Minorities’. The event that took place on 2 nd December was graced by Mr. Yogendra Yadav, a professor, politician and a political analyst. On the invitation of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boy’s Association (AMUOBA) in Riyadh, Professor Yadav ennobled the affair. The founder of Swaraj India, spoke eloquently at the event. He said “More than a minority question, we are looking at the specific question of Indian Muslims. Because Indian Muslims suffer, not merely as a religious minority, but also suffer as a socially disadvantaged and discriminated group. This is what makes the situation of Indian Muslims unique. They face a challenge today. A challenge which has created

'Papa...my guide to life and the here after.'

I was barely 4 years old in 1993 when a blue jeans and a white shirt drenched in blood came home. Papa, widely known as Er. Iqbal Ahmad among his colleagues, friends and acquaintances, had met an accident, a horrible one. It took him more than six months to get up from bed and walk. He used support but never lost hope. I was too young to understand things back then. He survived! He lived…he moved on. Papa and me, November 2013, Riyad h ,  Saudi Arabia. More of a second life it was. Since then, I have never seen him giving up. I remember my first day at school. I was writing my entrance exam and all the while, Papa was waiting there itself, out in the corridor. I didn’t realize his presence then. Time passed.. I grew up, finished my education. He still taught me, taught me a lot, a lot.. through his words and actions. He taught me from his past experiences. He taught me from his every day events. He lived the cleanest life anyone could have. I realize all this after he i

Trumping terror within; Pedantic Saudi Arabia!

Trumping terror within; Pedantic Saudi Arabia! While Muslims all over the Kingdom were breaking their fast on the 4 th of July (29 th Ramadan), a terrible sound quivered the worshippers in the Prophet’s mosque. Much to the sound of the blast was the holler around the world. A suicide bomber had blown himself in the parking lot of one of the holiest sites in Islam. As reported by the security personals outside the mosque, the target distressingly was Masjid Al Nabawi. Masjid Al Nabwi is one of the two holiest sites after Masjid Al Haram, where millions of worshippers are seen every year. There were approximately 2 million worshippers at the time of the blast too. Being one of the busiest mosques in the world, Masjid Al Nabwi is the Prophet’s mosque built during his lifetime and extensions made over the years. Four security personals have been reported to have lost their lives during the horrific blast. The martyrs were supposedly breaking their fast along with 3

From Paris to Riyadh, Since 1839

From Paris to Riyadh, Since 1839 They say that old wines get better with age and so do relationships. France celebrated its 175 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2014. Marking one of the longest presence in any nation. From the first meeting between General de Gaulle in 1967 and then King, Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, we have evolved of a better, stronger and deeper standard of personal relations with the French government and the people. The present President of France, Mr. Francois Hollande has been closely associated with the Kingdom since his election in 2012. On his last year’s visit to the Kingdom, he met the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, the relationship has without a doubt grown over these 50 years. Honored as the guest during the GCC summit, President of France invigorated the meet with his presence. It revived the strategic partnership the two nations share. Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef, Interior Minister of the Ki

Saudi-US Relationship; Renewed and Reviewed

Saudi-US Relationship; Renewed and Reviewed   Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (right) was received by John Kerry, Secretary of State, U.S (left) in Washington Reinvigorating the relationship, Prince Mohammad Bin Salman flew all the way to US in June on a historic visit. Even before Prince Mohammad had landed in the US, this much awaited visit was considered historic as it was the first time he had been flying there after accessing the position in January 2015. The visit was to focus on various issues fuming in the Middle East region. The powerful Deputy Crown Prince flew to the United States on Monday, 13 th June to meet and discuss upon the various unwanted events and happenings in the region with President Barack Obama of the United States and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of the United Nations. Mohammad bin Salman, also the Defense Minister, came amid a diplomatic row with the United Nations and policy differences with the United States over the war in