DAMMAM, 30 September 2006 — Hundreds of Keralites attended the grand iftar parties organized under the direction of the Eastern Province committee of the Kerala Muslim Cultural Center (KMCC), one of the largest networks of Keralite Muslim expatriates in the Gulf region.
Leaders and workers of KMCC committees from Dammam, Alkhobar, Jubail, Qateef, Aqrabia, Tuqba, Nariya, Ahsa and Abqaiq organized the iftar events.
As in previous years, KMCC units are also making arrangements this year for various relief activities across Kerala state. Along with the usual relief activities, such as aid to treatment of patients, construction of houses for the poor, aid for marriage of girls from poor families and educational grant to students some new areas are also being considered for assistance.
KMCC sources say that this year they are planning to provide aid to various institutes including the C.H. Center (functioning in the premises of the Calicut Medical College), a relief center in Calicut called Tarbiyathul Islam Sabha which offers shelter to new Muslims, various pain and palliative clinics and leprosy centers across the state. A special project is also being considered to dig bore wells providing people with water.
The executive committee of the Eastern Province KMCC presided over by President C. Hashim expressed anguish over the recent remarks that Pope Benedict made about Islam. The committee thanked the Union Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, E. Ahmed, also an IUML leader, for initiating a move to open a passport office in Malappuram.
The KMCC also welcomed the selection of K. Alikutty Musliar (Kerala), as the vice chairman of the Central Haj Committee that was recently constituted.
IOC and ICC Form Coordination Committee
Two rival pro-Congress outfits working in the Eastern Province have set aside their differences, come to common agreement and formed a coordination committee recently.
Indian Overseas Congress (IOC), which started functioning in 1999 and headed by Mohammed Ali Pazhoor, and the Indian Cultural Congress (ICC), which was formed later under the stewardship of M.K. Shamsuddin, are coming together after reconciling their differences. Visits of former Kerala Norka Minister M.M. Hasan and Union Overseas Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi had triggered faction fights in the region.
“We will celebrate the Independence Day and the Republic Day and other festivals together and will organize receptions for leaders and other dignitaries under a united forum,” said a source. Both factions have also agreed to name the united party according to whatever name the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) leadership decides on.
M.K. Shamsuddin of Kozhikode (chairman), Mohammed Ali Pazhoor and Shamsuddin Kayippuram (vice-chairmen) will lead the coordination committee. Other office bearers are Abraham Mathew and Sebi Abraham (general secretaries), Azeez Thodupuzha and Ramesh Palakkad (joint secretaries), P. Arakkan Ottappalam (treasurer), Mathew Joseph and Thomas Baby (conveners). A seven-member advisory committee has also been formed.
Hameed Chalil and K.V. Abdul Rasheed will lead relief activities. The coordination committee announced its plan to set up a welfare fund to extend financial help to those who have suffered injuries and to distribute Rs. 100,000 to the dependents of workers who died here. The IOC-ICC Coordination Forum expects KPCC leaders to visit the Kingdom after Ramadan.
