RIYADH, 15 September 2005 — A panel of distinguished Saudi and Indian scholars from different walks of life will address an educational conference here on Sept. 23.
Over 500 delegates are expected to attend the conference being organized to mark the silver jubilee of the Students Islamic Trust (SIT) of India, a counterpart organization of the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB).
Indian Ambassador M.O.H. Farook will be the chief guest. A prominent social worker Dr. Ahmed Totonji, who heads a think tank in Washington, will deliver the keynote speech, while a noted academician Sayyid Hamid, who is also the chancellor of India’s Hamdard University, will inaugurate the session.
“The conference will focus on the growing Saudi-Indo relations with special reference to the IDB scholarships being given to the poor and meritorious Muslim students of India,” said Akhtar H. Siddiqui, a spokesman of the organizing committee.
Siddiqui said that the IDB’s scholarship program was run by the SIT in India. Siddiqui pointed out that SIT Chairman Amanullah Khan would make his introductory speech. The event will also be attended by an elected municipal counselor Dr. Ibrahim Al-Quayid, who is also a member of Saudi Arabia’s Human Rights Commission.
He said that a prominent Indian businessman Nadeem Tarin would also address audience in his capacity as chairperson. Mamoon Al-Azami of the IDB will also participate. Justice M. Sardar Ali Khan, Maulana Asrarul Haq Qasmi, Maulana Fazlur Rehman Mujaddidi and Maulana Tahir Madni of India are expected to attend the conference.
