DAMMAM: The Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association in Dammam marked the Foundation Day of the famous Indian university at an event in Dammam.

The chief guest was Shamshad Ahmad of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) and a former reader at Jamia Millia Islamia. The guest of honor was Shibli Siddique, a Jamia alumni and president and CEO of SPAR Arabia Company.

Ahmad shared his vision and mission as an academic and the growing status of Jamia as an institution imparting education from primary to doctoral level.

He stressed the value of education and urged the alumni to help in educating weaker sections of society and get updated with the happenings in their alma mater.

Siddique spoke about the initiatives taken by the Dammam chapter in consolidating the alumni and creating a familial atmosphere for the members in the Kingdom.

Core committee members Yasser Kidwai and Abdul Qadir welcomed the guests. The program began with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an.

Association General Secretary Tashkin Akbar reviewed the association’s activities and outlined the purpose of the celebration.

Mementos were presented to the guests by Joint Secretary Tanveer and Vice President Haroon Yunus.

The program had many highlights such as quiz and art competitions for the children of alumni.

Waquarul Haq Safvi, president, Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association, in his vote of thanks shared the mission and objectives of the association. He also mentioned the role the Dammam chapter played with regards to the support for the family of Almas Badar, a member who recently died in a road accident in Dammam.

“Our vision is to bring all Jamiaites in the Eastern Province on one platform to foster better interaction among them so that they can help each other in times of need,” he added.

Danish Mirza, core committee member of the association, conducted the proceedings.