Engineer, a widower, is survived his son Irfaan and daughter Seema Indorewala. He was ailing for several months and breathed his last at his Santacruz East home around 8 a.m. The funeral is likely to be held Wednesday, Irfaan indicated.

Born in Salumbar, Rajasthan, in a Dawoodi Bohra Amil (priest) family March 10, 1939, Engineer acquired his training in Quranic tafsir (commentary), tawil (hidden interpretations of Quran), fiqh (jurisprudence) and hadith (Prophet’s teachings, sayings) during his early days.

His father, Sheikh Qurban Husain, was the Amil who also taught the young Engineer Arabic. Later, Engineer studied all the major religious works and scriptures by eminent scholars.

He graduated as a civil engineer from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and went on to work for nearly two decades in the Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

In the early 1970s, he sought voluntary retirement from his BMC service and plunged into the reformist movement in the miniscule Dawood Bohra community, estimated at around 1.20 million worldwide.

In 1972, he assumed a leading role in the movement from Udaipur and also mobilised national and international public opinion through media articles and speeches.

In 1977, he was elected general secretary of Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community at its maiden conference in Udaipur and guided the reformist movement.

Later, Engineer devoted his time and energies to work for communal harmony and combat communalist forces in the country.

The recipient of several awards and honours from around the world, Engineer travelled across the globe speaking at international conferences, seminars and universities on Islam, peace, human rights and other issues.

He founded the Institute of Islamic Studies (1980) and the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (1993), and also authored around 50 books on various topics and believed in treating all religions with equality.

According to reformists, Engineer never believed in blind acceptance of dogmas inherited from the past but strived to rethink issues and reinterpret Islam in keeping with modern times.

- IANS

All the Indian Social Workers and Volunteers are requested to participate. Media is also welcome to attend.

Another meeting of Social Workers and Volunteers is being held at the Indian Embassy School in Dammam on May 17, 2013 at 6.00 pm.

These passports can be collected from the Embassy from 6 PM to 9 PM starting on Monday May 13 to Saturday May 18, 2013 except on Fridays. All Indian nationals who lost their passports may verify their passport number from this list and approach the embassy with their passport numbers, serial and packet numbers as given in the list. A copy of the passport may be brought along to collect the passport. Passport will be returned only to the holder in person and not to any representative.

Those who are unable to collect their passport directly may contact the Embassy on its helpline numbers 01 4884697, 01 4881982, 0501699879, 0501700106, 0501699895, 0501699894.

From left: Hamed Alarfaj, manager Diwaniyah, Consul General of UAE Ahmad Mangoosh, Consul General of Qatar Khamis Bin Ibrahim Al Mohannadi, Khalid A. Al Fouzan, chairman, Al Fouzan Building Materials Company, Consul General of India Faiz Ahmad Kidwai, Emad A. Al-Muhaidib, vice chairman of Al Muhaidib Group of Companies, Hussam Al Kahtani, chairman Al Kahtani Group of Companies, Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki, general secretary IYWA, Madan Kumar Ghildiyal, Consul (Commercial), and SRH Fahmi, Consul (Community Welfare).

India is a favored tourist destination known for its rich heritage, amazing cuisine and warm hospitality, said Indian Consul General Faiz Ahmad Kidwai while welcoming Saudis and Arabs to get their own glimpses of India.

He was speaking at the Indian Youth Welfare Association (IYWA) event, Indo-Gulf Tourism and Business Enterprise, on Wednesday night in recognition of Diwaniya’s services in fostering Indo-Gulf tourism, trade, industry, business and cultural relations through informal meetings and festivals.

The Consul General presented a commemorative memorabilia to Diwaniya members on the occasion.

A replica of Taj Mahal, one of the new wonders of the world, was presented on the occasion. The Diwaniya members warmly accepted the gift and said that it would be placed in an area, along with all memorabilia, for all to view.

Kidwai, while stressing on the varied types of tourism available to India, said over six million tourists arrived in India in 2012.

He said though urban centers like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Agra are frequented by foreign tourists, there are large number of places in India that are must see.

“Saudi nationals increasingly preferring India as a destination, and I welcome you’ll to the roadshow that is to be organized at the Hilton on May 19. India has a large medical tourism sector, and I invite you’ll to visit India for tourism, treatment or just rejuvenation,” he added.

Kidwai, while emphasizing the cordial and friendly bilateral relations India enjoys with Saudi Arabia, in particular, and Arab states, in general, said ties reflect centuries old economic and social-cultural relations.

“There’s a huge scope for expansion of commercial and economic ties between India and Saudi Arabia.”

On our part, we are encouraging trade and investment between the two countries through the Saudi Indian Business Network (SIBN). I invite you all to join SIBN and visit India with their delegation, he said.

Kidwai highlighted the fact that India is one of the top destinations for global foreign direct investments and India has received FDIs worth $266 billion from April 2000 to August 2012.

He added, India is the home for about 48.8 million small and medium enterprises, and could be of interest to Saudis, who are promoting SMEs in a big way.

He also stressed the fact that India has one of the most liberal and transparent policies on FDI among the emerging economies, and that he and the consulate staff in Jeddah would go all out to assist them in their endeavors.

“Our commercial section is open to help as is our visa section is committed to issue visas quickly with multiple re-entry. In addition, we would like to bring our business delegations to visit Diwaniya,” Kidwai said.

He rounded off by inviting the Saudi and Arab dignitaries to visit India, and he and his dedicated team would facilitate and help in their visit and arranging meetings.

The Consul General’s of GCC countries along with prominent members from the Saudi and Indian business community, and representatives of IYWA attended the event.

Consul General of Bahrain Ibrahim Maslamani, Consul General of Qatar Khamis Bin Ibrahim Al Mohannadi, Consul General of Oman Juma Al Rashdi and Consul General of UAE Ahmad Mangoosh and Consul General of Kuwait Saleh Ali Al-Saqabi were present.

Earlier, Hamed Alarfaj, manager of Al-Fouzan and Al-Muhaidib Diwaniya, said that such meetings should be held on regular basis.

Khalid A. Al Fouzan, chairman, Al Fouzan Building Materials Company, Emad A. Al-Muhaidib, vice chairman of Al Muhaidib Group of Companies, both spoke on the occasion.

Al Fouzan, especially, stressed on the good relations enjoyed by India and Saudi Arabia, and said that such interaction would only go to strengthen it.They were delighted with the gift of the replica Taj Mahal.

Hussam Al Kahtani, chairman Al Kahtani Group of Companies, was the driving force of the event as he personally welcomed all and provided superb hospitality. In his welcome speech he said he welcomed more such meetings between the two communities.

A vote of thanks as provided by Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki, IYWA general secretary, in which thanked all attendees for making the event a success.

He lauded the efforts of the Indian Consulate in guiding and helping Indo-Saudi relations grow, especially among business houses.

Mohd. Raghib Qureshi, head of chancery & consul (education); M.K. Ghildiyal, consul (commercial); SRH Fahmi, consul (cw wing); Raj Kumar, consul (cw wing); N.P. Singh, vice consul (ps); Pawan Tripathi, vice consul (commercial); Amjad Shareef (commercial), Barkat Ali of SBI and Ahmed Omais of Bin Laden attended the event.

Al Kabeer Food served its specialized items as promotion of Indian food products, and the Consulate General of India presented gift hampers of Incredible India to the attendees.

The Embassy would like to inform the Indian expatriate community in Saudi Arabia the following:

(i) A summary of the concessions announced by Saudi authorities on May 10, 2013 is available at www.indianembassy.org.sa . Shortly this will be published in other Indian languages also.

(ii) The announcement of May 10 covers violations which took place before April 6, 2013. It is important to ensure that no further violations take place under any circumstances. Any Indian planning to travel to Saudi Arabia for employment should ensure that the visas on which he travels to Saudi Arabia does not violate any rules of this country. It is also important to ensure that the firm which sponsors them meets all the laws and regulations of Saudi Arabia. It is important to generate awareness in India on the new rules and regulations in Saudi Arabia.

(iii) The Embassy is in receipt of a large number of Emergency Certificate (EC) applications. It will continue to collect EC applications from those wanting to leave Saudi Arabia on exit. Those who have submitted EC applications will be issued ECs in due course after ascertaining from the applicant whether he wants to continue to work in Saudi Arabia availing the concessions announced by Saudi authorities on May 10 or to leave Saudi Arabia. Embassy will contact each EC applicant either through telephone or through the volunteers. As required Embassy will establish EC distribution Centres in various cities in Saudi Arabia.

(iv) There has been an overwhelming response to Embassy’s request for volunteers to register with the Embassy. The Embassy will soon release the names of volunteers who have registered with the Embassy. It would also issue an advisory to the volunteers on how to help those Indians who wish to change their legal status or to return to India. The services of all volunteers are free of cost. No money may be paid to the volunteers for any services. All Indian Community Schools Management Committees, teaching and non-teaching staff have been urged to offer their services.

(v) The Embassy continues to get requests from companies in Saudi Arabia offering jobs for Indians who wish to change their jobs. The list is available at www.indianembassy.org.sa.

(vi) The Embassy has been approached by mega-recruiting companies which propose to recruit Indians who wish to change their sponsorship to these companies. A contact list of these mega recruiting companies is available at www.indianembassy.org.sa. A list of companies which approached Consulate General of India, Jeddah is available at www.cgijeddah.com.

(vii) The Embassy has strengthened its 24 hour helpdesk with more people and more telephone lines. The telephone lines are 01 4884697, 01 4881982, 0501699879, 0501700106, 0501699895, 0501699894. Consulate General of India, Jeddah help line numbers are 02-2611483, 02-2614093, 0596810574.

(viii) Ambassador will hold a meeting with volunteers and Indian community workers at the Embassy premises at the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh at 4 PM on Tuesday May 14. Consul General of India, Jeddah will hold a meeting of community workers at 4 PM on Wednesday May 15. Another meeting of volunteers and community workers would be held at the International Indian School Dammam at 6 PM on Friday May 17. All volunteers, community workers and media are invited to attend these meetings.

The concessions are perhaps the most far-reaching changes in the Kingdom’s labor law history that will now include allowing illegal workers to leave the country during the grace period without paying penalties. In addition, Huroob (runaway workers) will be allowed to return to their current sponsors or transfer to another.

In a joint statement, the ministries said any expatriate who wishes to leave the country during the three-month grace period, who had violated residence and labor regulations, will be exempted from all stipulated penalties.

The statement added that violators who leave the country voluntarily on a final exit visa during the grace period would be fingerprinted. However, this would not hinder them from returning to the Kingdom in future on a different work visa. This was a major worry for illegal workers and had stopped them from going home. Diplomats have welcomed the move.

Another major concession is that runaway workers charged with the Huroob violation, or those who stay in the country after the expiry of their residency and labor permits, are permitted to rectify their status either by returning to their current sponsor or transferring to another sponsor without the permission of the current sponsor. “Any dispute on rights and claims between such a worker and his previous sponsor will be settled by special legal departments,” the statement said.

Workers who entered the country illegally will not benefit from these concessions.

But the most significant concession will permit Haj and Umrah overstayers to obtain permission from the Passport Department and Labor Office to work as household workers or for private companies. Recruitment of such workers should not result in a company losing its green category status, and in the case of an employing family, it should not have more than four workers.

The ministries also called on all private establishments and expatriate workers to speed up their efforts to rectify their residential and labor status before July 3 when the grace period ends.

“Inspection campaigns will resume soon after the deadline to enforce labor and immigration laws on both employers and employees,” the joint statement said.

The statement also warned that anyone transporting or sheltering an expatriate violator would be punished with a two-year jail term and fined up to SR 100,000 for each violator. The illegal expatriate who does not leave the country will be jailed and fined.
Another condition of such transfers is that no more than four expatriate workers are allowed to transfer to a very small green firm with nine workers or less. The labor office will process their transfers.

Both domestic and non-domestic expatriate workers are entitled to change their professions without paying any fees during the grace period.

Runaway domestic workers or those who stay in the country after the expiry of their residence and labor permits are also permitted to rectify their status. They can go back to their existing sponsors if both parties agree. Or else he or she can get a transfer to any other sponsor’s domestic service with the help of the Passport Department; or any private firm may employ them without the permission of the current sponsor. The formalities would be processed at the labor office.

The conditions for the transfer of domestic workers specify that the new family where he or she wants to be transferred should not have more than four workers after the transfer.

It is also stipulated that a house worker’s transfer to a private firm should not result in it falling out of its green category. This condition has to be fulfilled by a firm employing more than nine workers or a very small firm with less than 10 workers. The very small firms can accept only a maximum of four such transfers.

An establishment is also permitted to change the job category of an expatriate worker without looking at the Nitaqat category of the profession, but must adhere to the regulations on job reservation for Saudis which include senior human resources administrator, director of personnel, personnel relations manager, hotel receptionist, patient receptionist, cashier, private security guard, liaison officer, customs clearance agent and women’s accessory workers.

The ministries also made it clear that a sponsor, who accepts a worker without the permission of the previous sponsor, should agree that he would not issue an exit or re-entry visa to that worker during the first three months from the date of the transfer, so that any claims against the worker could be settled. If the new sponsor allows the worker to leave during that period, he will be responsible for the liabilities of the worker.

The new regulations also permit regular domestic workers to transfer to a private firm if the existing sponsor has no objection to it.
It is the responsibility of a sponsor to keep the work permit and iqama of a worker in valid condition as long as the worker is present in the country. If the sponsor fails to do this, the worker has the right to annul the contract with that sponsor and transfer his service to another sponsor without the permission of the original sponsor. This regulation will be applicable after the grace period. The worker will also not be prevented from transferring his service even if the sponsor refuses to submit the worker’s documents.
Another condition is that those who want to rectify their status are not allowed to transfer to a firm established after the beginning of the grace period on April 6.

Rectification of an expatriate worker’s status such as the service transfer and profession transfer can be processed electronically if the company has activated the second phase of the Labor Ministry’s e-services. This can be activated by contacting the nearest labor office.

Workers in an establishment run by a foreign investor can transfer their service to another firm or make a final departure without the consent of the foreign investor if the investor is not present in the Kingdom or his legal representative is not available, or no one is authorized to undertake administrative matters at the firm.

More details are available on the Labor Ministry’s website www.mol.gov.sa or the Interior Ministry’s site www.moi.gov.sa or the customer service center at 920001173.

        Today, India has established itself as a round-the-year destination. It is a destination for all seasons and for all reasons. India offers something for every traveller. It has a vast range of tourism destinations and products, from magnificent Himalayas in the north to the beautiful and serene backwaters of Kerala in the south, legendary Forts & Palaces of Rajasthan to world class heritage sites like Hampi (Karnataka), sprawling beaches of west coast to the calm lakes of east coast, from exotic one-horned rhinos of Kaziranga (Assam) to magnificent herds of elephants of Bandipur (Karnataka), from magnificent lions of Gir (Gujarat) to royal tigers of Sunderbans (West Bengal), from variety of cuisine to exquisite shopping.

India has also emerged as a destination for wellness, medical and MICE(Meetings,Incentives,Conferences and Exhibitions) tourism. The wellness and medical tourism sector has been growing at the rate of 20% per year. The Indian systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha and Unani are some of the most ancient systems of medical treatment in the world.

India has a number of world-class hotels, resorts and trains. India has also evolved itself as a luxury destination offering the ultimate luxury services to the high end travellers. Indian destination management companies are offering door-to-door services to such high end travellers. The luxury trains of India offer a unique tourism product. These luxury trains provide excellent amenities to tourists besides visits to various tourist places. Some of these are: Royal Rajasthan, Palace on Wheels, Golden Chariot, Maharaja Express and Deccan Odyssey.

          With world-class polo clubs, golf courses and sports facilities, India is a world-class sports destination. It is a shoppers’ paradise with a wide range of jewellery items and other products.

          In India, every traveller will find what he is seeking in life. And, India’s latest Campaign ‘Find What You Seek’ has been woven around this theme.

The Middle East, and particularly the KSA, is one of the main source markets for inbound tourism in India. During 2011, around 26,000 Saudi nationals visited India registering, a growth of over 12% over the previous year.

India had conducted three Road Shows in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in January 2012 which received overwhelming response from the local tourism and travel industry members, and resulted in enhanced cooperation in tourism sector between the two countries.  To build up on these efforts, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in association with the Embassy of India, Riyadh and Consulate General of India, Jeddah, is once again holding Tourism Road Shows in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as per the following schedule:

Road Show in Jeddah on 19^th May, 2013 at Hotel Hilton

Road Show in Riyadh on 21^st May, 2013 at Hotel Sheraton

Road Show in Dammam on 22^nd May, 2013 at Hotel Sheraton

The Indian delegation to these Road Shows is led by Shri Parvez Dewan, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. He is accompanied by leading destination managers, tour operators, hoteliers, airlines, State Governments from India. Through these Road Shows, an effort is being made to update the Saudi Arabian tourism stakeholders with latest information on Indian tourism policy, destinations and products.

Recently, Government of India has lifted the restriction of two-month gap for entry of foreign nationals, including those from Saudi Arabia, between the two visits on tourist visa. This decision has facilitated travel of international tourists to India.

   The Embassy of India in Riyadh and India Tourism are very happy to hold the Road Shows in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for taking tourism cooperation between the two countries to the next level.

India Tourism, Dubai, U.A.E – Tel: +971-4-2274848 ; Fax: +971-4-2274013 ;  e-mail: goirto@emirates.net.ae  or visit www.incredibleindia.org.  For local inquiries please contact Embassy of India, Riyadh Tel:- 2811696; E-mail:- cul.riyadh@mea.gov.in

The 1st winner of the contest was Ali Al-Hasan sculpture “Waiting patron” made out of iron SR15, 000. 2nd prize winner Adel Abdul Latif Abdul Aziz Khiymi, sculpture “Message of freedom” SR10, 000 and 3rd prize winner was Waled Kurdy sculpture ”Monkey” SR5, 000.
The other top winners were Emad Ali Maghrabi, Hazem Elsayed Mohamed, Tariq Hashem Althaqafi, Sauod Mahjob, Tamer Rajab, Talal Al-Tukhis, Fahad Al-Azwari.

Around 80 parents attended this useful training including some well experienced female teachers from International Indian School, Dammam.  The event was started by the recitation of Holy Quraa’n by Master Majid.  A brief introduction of the Hyderabad Association was given by Dr. Abdul Hai Khan.  He invited Mr. Mirza Zaheer Baig, Scientist working the Research Institute of King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran to give the presentation to the parents.  He is also President of Hyderabad Association.  Mr. Baig has given many lectures on Students Learning Workshops and conducted Stress Management classes to teachers, and counselled several Indian students studying in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and in Hyderabad, India.

The teachers who attended this workshop praised the Hyderabad Association’s role in facilitating the community in education.  Mr. Raju Kurian, member of Management Committee of International Indian School Dammam, hailed the services of the association and reiterated the community to make use of such presentations related to education. Mr. Raju Kurian presented a memento to Mr. Maqbool Ahmed Siddiqui, who has played a vital role in Indian School Books’ Re-cycle project, where the association has collected some 4000 books and re-distributed the sets to the poor and needy Indian school students.

Hyderabad Association is also involved in helping the Nitakat affected Indians in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

- Mohammed Saifuddin, Yahind.com 

The recipient of one lakh rupees cash award from Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy for his literary contributions in the year 2009 – 2010, Dr. Haneef Tarin was recently awarded by Delhi Urdu Academy for his book which was selected as the best book of the year 2013.

Living in Riyadh for around three decades, Dr. Haneef Tarin has 13 books to his credit including nine Urdu books and two books each in Arabic and English. Many of his poetic collections have been translated into Arabic and English including The Truth of Terrorismwhich was highly appreciated by former president Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam also.

Fareed Bhatta and Dr. Iqbal Eijaz Baig read articles about Dr. Haneef Tarin while journalist K N Wasif read a sketch about him. Poets Khursheed ul Hasan Nayyar and Sadar Fareedi paid poetic compliment to man of the eve.

APUS President Dr. Mohammed Ashraf said his organization has completed more than a decade of community and literary services in Riyadh but this is the first time they are conducting a poetry session (Mushaira) that too in honor of an eminent Indian poet in Riyadh Dr. Haneef Tarin. He announced the induction of Mr. Shahbaz Farooqi as the new treasurer of APUS, welcomed him and introduced him to the audience.

After receiving the memento Dr. Haneef Tarin thanked APUS and all its office bearers for this honor. He said the biggest center of Urdu culture in India is Hyderabad.

After the literary session Mushaira (poetry recitation session) was held. It was presided by Mohammed Quaiser who lit lamp to inaugurate the session. Dr. Haneef Tarin and Prof. Iqbal Aijaz Baig were the guests of honor for this session.

Hafiz Khaja Aleemuddin who recited the verses of Holy quran at the beginning of the program also began the poetry session with Naat-e-shareef.

In addition to Dr. Haneef Tarin other prominent poets who graced the event were Bilal Abu Taher, Ayub Tishna, Sadr Fareedi, Khaja Masihuddin Abunabeel, Kawish ibn-e-Wasiq, Izhar ul Haq, Kursheed ul Hassah Nayyar and Zafar Mahmood.

Firasat Ali Khusroo who ran the proceedings of both the literary and poetic sessions also read his poetry. Khusroo presented the December 2004 issue of monthly magazine “Shayar” to Dr. Haneef Tarin as this issue was dedicated to him as “Dr. Haneef Tarin number”.

The event was held at a local restaurant in Riyadh and attended by large number of Indians. Office bearers and representatives of different organizations attended the event.

Syed Khalid Kareem, General Secretary, Shakeel Ahmed, Cultural Secretary, Subhan Mohammed, Executive Memeber, Mohammed Abdul Basith, Mir Mohsin Ali, Senior Correspondent Yahind.com presented bouquets to the dignitaries on the dais.

Prominent businessman Nadeem Tarin, Syed Zia ur Rahman, CEO Yahind Infotech, A A Shamim Khan, President Deccan Cultural Association, Dr. Mohammed Mukhtar Khan, Regional Director Intercontinental Educational Services and many other prominent Indians were also present.