IFF volunteers gear up for Haj

India Fraternity Forum (IFF), a non-profit voluntary organization involved in social welfare activities among the expatriate Indian community, held its annual function under the banner ‘Sneha Koota 2014’ here on Saturday.
“Representing the regional, linguistic, cultural and religious diversities of the country, we have a mini India at the forum,” said chief guest Dr. Qaiser Parwez, who is working as general physician, and head of the national tuberculosis program at the Ministry of Health.
IFF gathered to asses community development work it has done so far and gear up for the upcoming Haj season as one of the largest number of pilgrims are from India.
He gave health tips and spoke on prevention awareness of Coronavirus as the deadly disease has caused concern in the Kingdom and IFF volunteers working in co-ordination with the government agencies during Haj can help people in many ways.
He said that MoH is working in close coordination with health experts and research and development teams from different countries to obtain information on mutation, a change of the nucleotide sequence of the genome of an organism or virus as it is not same in every patient and keeps changing and varies from patient to patient.
He added that there is no need to panic, and advised people to take precautions as advised by the ministry with the guidelines available on its website. In case of need, there is a toll free number 8002494444 of the MoH working across the Kingdom.
Saleem Maulavi Al-Kasimi, IFF Riyadh president, stressed the need for educational empowerment of the community to become part of ongoing mainstream development in India.
Saleem Guruvanukere, IFF national ad hoc committee member said, “India is a great democratic country, we have to keep communal harmony between all communities.”
The program was organized by IFF Karnataka chapter and began with recitation of the Holy Qur’an verses by Hafiz Sayed Mohammed Abdullah from Bihar followed by welcome address by Ismail Inoli, General Secretary of IFF Riyadh.
The program also included a documentary by Rehab India Foundation’s charity works throughout India and social awareness drama ‘Darideepa’ by IFF Karnataka.
Various events for children were another highlight of the program, which was held in partnership with Lulu hypermarket, Jet Airways, Malabar Gold and Diamonds, Centerpoint, Compass Ocean Logistics and Alwatania Poultry.