ICS celebrates ‘Eid Milan’

The Indian Cultural Society (ICS) and Bazm-e-Osmania Jeddah organized an ‘Eid Milan’ function last week at ICS and Bazm president Arif Quraishi’s residence.
The chief guest of the party was Pranav Ganesh, consular at the India Consulate, Jeddah. The party was also attended by special guests Irshad Ahmed, Consul Press, Info. and Culture, and Haroon Rasheed, chairman of International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ).
Quraishi welcomed the chief guest and other guests and said that ICS and Bazm have been traditionally organizing Eid Milan functions year after year.
Ganesh in his speech said he is happy to attend the Eid Milan party and he wished Eid Mubarak to everyone on the occasion. He said that the doors of the Indian consulate are always open for the Indian community. He requested the Indian community to utilize the grace period effectively and added that the Indian government is thankful to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for hosting over two million Indians in the Kingdom. Ganesh expressed appreciation for the activities and community work of ICS and Bazm-e-Osmania.
Ahmed said it is the second time that he is attending the Eid party at Quraishi’s residence and that the Eid parties are always successful and well-organized. He urged Indian workers to correct their work status before the November deadline. He said he and the consulate staff are working at Tarheel for helping Indians obtain exit stamps and other paper work. He said the consulate will issue emergency travel certificate free of charge if an Indian wants to leave.
Rasheed wished Eid Mubarak to everyone.
“Until today 4,000 students are waiting to obtain admission in our Indian school, but we cannot grant admission because we do not have enough seats,” Rasheed said. “We are trying to find a new building to accommodate the 4,000 students.”
Azher Ali Zai, former managing committee member of IISJ, said ICS and Bazm have been organizing the country’s national days – Republic Day and Independence Day – as well as Eid parties since over 25 years.
“All such functions are highly appreciated by the audience,” Zai said. “The ICS also distributes IISJ textbooks free of charge.”
After dinner, a colorful cultural program was held. Singer who participated in the event include: Jimmy Fareed Al-Siddiqui, Ahmad Siddiqui and Mohsin.
The party concluded with a vote of thanks by ICS general secretary Maqbool Pervaiz.