Called the Hyderabad Association, it is led by President Mirza Zaheer Baig, a scientist at the Research Institute of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.

The association intends to bring all professionals from the city under one umbrella with a view to harnessing their potential for the community’s uplift and educational advancement.

The inaugural session, organized in a beautiful tent at Dammam Hotel, brought together more than 200 well-placed professionals from Hyderabad and nearly 50 top community leaders from the many states of India.

Adel Shaheen Al-Dosary, professor and chairman, Department of City and Regional Planning, KFUPM, was the chief guest, while Air India Eastern Province Manager Vinod Kumar and Mohammad Fayazuddin of the International Indian School-Dammam Managing Committee were the guests of honor.

Al-Dosary won many hearts with his frank and honest admission about his unbridled love for India and Indians. “I would like to humbly offer my services to help this association because we acknowledge the positive role Indian expatriates have played in the development of Saudi Arabia,” he said and received a thunderous applause from the audience.

Baig described Hyderabad Association as a nonprofit organization. “We have assembled a fantastic team of professionals who are leaders in their own respective fields and our basic aim now is to work for the welfare of the community and to create awareness about educational opportunities for the children of non-resident Indians,” he said. “Together we can change for excellence.”

Baig said it was their long-cherished dream to have an association through which NRIs could voice their concerns from a common platform. The first step in this direction was taken by Air India in response to the association’s representation for nonstop flights on the Hyderabad-Dammam sector.

Vinod Kumar, who is in the final months of his tenure in Saudi Arabia, explained the practical reasons behind Air India’s suspension of the nonstop flights on the Hyderabad-Dammam sector. However, following strong representation from the newly formed association, he suggested to his higher-ups in New Delhi to resume the flights. “I am expecting a positive response from them,” he said.

Al-Dosary and Baig launched the association’s website. Shuja Mohammed Sheriff, the association’s vice president for public relations, conducted a virtual tour of for the benefit of the assembled guests and attendees.

Among the association’s many officer-bearers are Mohammed Sadeq (chief operating officer), S. Osman Ali (vice president general affairs), Abdul Moiz (vice president administration), Mohammed Ismail (general secretary), M.S. Adil (treasurer), Asif Mohiuddin (joint secretary), Mohammed Jahangir (executive convener education), M. Hyder Ali (executive convener employment and guidance), Mohammed Irfanuddin (executive convener events), Abdul Hai Khan (executive convener health) and Abdul Rauf (health committee member).

Mohammed Sadeq anchored the event and M.A. Waheed thanked the invited guests and the attendees. The official event was followed by a memorable literary session that included Nayeem Javed, Shuja Anwar, Shiraz Mahdi, Baqar Naqvi and Rafique Akolvi.