Tweet
Tributes were paid to the late former Indian Ambassador M.O.H. Farook at a condolence meeting held in Riyadh on Wednesday.
Prominent members from 40 Indian organizations in the city gathered to pay homage to a diplomat,who had rendered yeoman services to the community.
The meeting was chaired by Imtiaz Ahmed, former chairman of the management committee of the International Indian School Riyadh.(IISR)
Farook, who was his country’s ambassador from 2004 to 2009 in the Kingdom, passed away at a private hospital in Chennai on Jan 26.
Addressing the condolence meeting, Ahmed described the late Farook as a perfect gentleman who dedicated himself to serve all members of his community without any discrimination.
“I had the pleasure of associating with him from the time he arrived at the King Khaled International Airport,” he said, adding that the late ambassador harnessed the available resources for the advancement of the Indian community in the Kingdom. He also recalled that he contributed a great deal to the development of the Tamil Sangam in the Kingdom.
During his tenure, Ahmed said the late ambassador was largely responsible for the exchange of numerous high-level visits between the two countries. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah visited India in January 2006 during Farook’s tenure as ambassador in the Kingdom.
In his speech, Mohamed Ashraf, a social worker and president of Muslim Educational Society, shared his experiences with the audience,while he moved with late Farook. He recalled that in spite of his busy schedule, the late envoy was interested in meeting with community leaders at his office and to obtain first hand information on the common issues faced by the community.
“He was an approachable ambassador who had genuine concern for the welfare of his countrymen. Being a politician turned diplomat, he wanted to remain closer to the masses and redress their problems,” Ashraf said. “His demise is not only an irreparable loss to his family but to the entire Indian community, especially the Indian Diaspora in the Kingdom. He will remain in our hearts because of his sincere and amiable ways,” said Ashraf.
Dr. Dilnawaz Roomi, a renowned physician and close friend of Farook, shared his memorable experience with the members of the audience. He noted that Farook was the symbol of sincerity and kindness. He said Farook had an extremely humane character which valued friendship.
“It is a great personal loss for me as I had maintained a close personal relation with MOH and his family,” said Roomi.
“The late ambassador will be remembered for his administrative abilities and strong bond that he had with the people whom he represented. He served in public life for five decades in different capacities,” Roomi said, pointing out that Farook served as ambassador to Saudi Arabia and made important contributions to develop India’s relations with Saudi Arabia .
Mohammed Mustafa, principal of Al-Huda International School and Ibrahim Subhan representing International Energy Forum made some observations by virtue of their close association with late Farook.
“He was kind enough to give us permission to meet him without a formal appointment and simplicity and humility are embedded in him,” Subhan said.
Prominent members from 40 Indian organizations in the city gathered to pay homage to a diplomat,who had rendered yeoman services to the community.
The meeting was chaired by Imtiaz Ahmed, former chairman of the management committee of the International Indian School Riyadh.(IISR)
Farook, who was his country’s ambassador from 2004 to 2009 in the Kingdom, passed away at a private hospital in Chennai on Jan 26.
Addressing the condolence meeting, Ahmed described the late Farook as a perfect gentleman who dedicated himself to serve all members of his community without any discrimination.
“I had the pleasure of associating with him from the time he arrived at the King Khaled International Airport,” he said, adding that the late ambassador harnessed the available resources for the advancement of the Indian community in the Kingdom. He also recalled that he contributed a great deal to the development of the Tamil Sangam in the Kingdom.
During his tenure, Ahmed said the late ambassador was largely responsible for the exchange of numerous high-level visits between the two countries. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah visited India in January 2006 during Farook’s tenure as ambassador in the Kingdom.
In his speech, Mohamed Ashraf, a social worker and president of Muslim Educational Society, shared his experiences with the audience,while he moved with late Farook. He recalled that in spite of his busy schedule, the late envoy was interested in meeting with community leaders at his office and to obtain first hand information on the common issues faced by the community.
“He was an approachable ambassador who had genuine concern for the welfare of his countrymen. Being a politician turned diplomat, he wanted to remain closer to the masses and redress their problems,” Ashraf said. “His demise is not only an irreparable loss to his family but to the entire Indian community, especially the Indian Diaspora in the Kingdom. He will remain in our hearts because of his sincere and amiable ways,” said Ashraf.
Dr. Dilnawaz Roomi, a renowned physician and close friend of Farook, shared his memorable experience with the members of the audience. He noted that Farook was the symbol of sincerity and kindness. He said Farook had an extremely humane character which valued friendship.
“It is a great personal loss for me as I had maintained a close personal relation with MOH and his family,” said Roomi.
“The late ambassador will be remembered for his administrative abilities and strong bond that he had with the people whom he represented. He served in public life for five decades in different capacities,” Roomi said, pointing out that Farook served as ambassador to Saudi Arabia and made important contributions to develop India’s relations with Saudi Arabia .
Mohammed Mustafa, principal of Al-Huda International School and Ibrahim Subhan representing International Energy Forum made some observations by virtue of their close association with late Farook.
“He was kind enough to give us permission to meet him without a formal appointment and simplicity and humility are embedded in him,” Subhan said.
