Arab News Editor in Chief Khaled Almaeena addresses the audience at the KERALA FEST launch in Dammam on Friday. (AN photos)

DAMMAM, 9 September 2006 — The Keralite expatriate community has made immense contributions toward the development of Saudi Arabia in various sectors, Khaled Almaeena, the editor in chief of Arab News stated yesterday.

“I am really impressed by the Keralite people, who are intelligent and hardworking,” he said while opening KERALA FEST 2006, organized by Navodaya Cultural Center to mark the Indian state’s golden jubilee.

Almaeena noted the unity of Keralites, irrespective of religious and political differences.

“Hindus, Muslims and Christians live in harmony in Kerala, respecting one another. You are a model for the whole of India,” Almaeena said to the applause of nearly 1,500 people who thronged the Al-Nosaif Auditorium here.

In his inaugural speech, the editor in chief announced that Arab News would publish a one page weekly on Kerala every Saturday for its readers in the Eastern Province. Keralites in the region welcomed the move.

“This is a big gift from Arab News on the occasion of our golden jubilee,” said Rafeek Younus, president of Sargam Cultural Association.

“This page will certainly enhance the position of Keralite people in the Kingdom and increase their opportunities. It will also support the new Kerala government’s move to attract foreign investment from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.”

The two month-long festivities, which will be held in seven major cities of the Eastern Province as part of KERALA FEST, include a variety of cultural, educational and entertainment programs, including symposiums with the participation of educationists, business leaders and media personalities. Almaeena called for greater interaction between Saudis and expatriates through cultural organizations and NGOs and emphasized the need for removing the barriers that obstruct their close relations.

He said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s visit to India would open new opportunities for people in both countries.

He underscored the tremendous efforts being made by the more than 1.5 million Indian expatriate community in building the Kingdom alongside Saudis and other nationals.

“You have done a lot,” he said. “We value your efforts. The development of Saudi Arabia is a monument of your great contributions.”

He advised Keralites to invest their hard-earned money on constructive and profitable projects. He said many Saudi and Gulf businessmen have expressed their desire to invest in Kerala, “which is safe for investment and safe for tourism.”

In his speech, Abraham Valiyakala, chief patron of Navodaya, commended Arab News’ efforts in the service of the Indian community by highlighting their problems and informing them about their legal rights.

“We should not allow multinational corporations to decide our development agenda,” Abraham told the gathering.

“We should make long-term plans for the development of our country and state, making use of our resources, expertise and manpower,” he added.

He said Indian expatriates in the Gulf should play a bigger role in the development of the country by investing their money in constructive projects back home.

“This will save us from being indebted to World Bank by taking out huge loans,” he said.

Keralite expatriates alone contribute about 200 billion rupees (about $4.3 billion, or SR16.1 billion) to state coffers.

Speaking about the 50th anniversary of the formation of Kerala, Siddiq Ahmad, manager, support services division of Suwaikat Group, urged his countrymen to work sincerely for the development of Saudi Arabia.

“We should not misuse the confidence the Saudis have vested in us,” he said.

Ahmad also emphasized the big role being played by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries in boosting the development of Kerala.

“We the Keralite expatriates in the Gulf invest our money in Kerala whereas those working in the US or Europe put their money in projects in Western countries,” he pointed out.

Also yesterday in an interview with Kairali satellite channel, Almaeena said he was looking for a world where all human beings would live in peace, harmony and tolerance, without killing each other.

He called for the implementation of United Nations resolutions to establish peace in the Middle East.

Almaeena criticized some Saudi sponsors for mistreating their foreign workers and underlined the efforts of Arab News to highlight the plight of such workers and win their legitimate rights with the support of authorities.