Hameda is the first female and the fourth millionaire to win the guaranteed one million Dirhams under the new prize structure.
38-year-old Hameda Begum (Photo: Gulf News)
Abu Dhabi:
A 38-year-old United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Hyderabadi woman has been revealed as the winner of one million Dirhams (Rs 2,22,28,303) in the weekly Mahzooz draw.
The winner of the draw Hameda Begum– matched five out of the six winning numbers during the 122nd weekly Mahzooz draw held on Saturday, April 1.
Hameda Begum, from Hyderabad, India, who works as a medical coder in UAE. She has been living in the UAE’s capital Abu Dhabi from the past three years.
“I’ve never entered a raffle or won anything in my life so this has been a delightful surprise to me. For me, this is a dream come true, and I can’t believe it,” Hameda told Gulf News.
Hameda is planning to spend her winning for her four children’s education and secure her family’s future.
Hameda is the first female and the fourth millionaire to win the guaranteed one million Dirhams under the new prize structure.
On March 4, the draw revamped its prize pool, introducing a new feature where every week one participant becomes a guaranteed millionaire.
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> Hyderabad / posted by Sakina Fatima / April 17th, 2023
Sikri Village (Nagar Pahari Tehsii, Bharatpur District),RAJASTHAN:
Wajib Ali.
Jaipur:
A successful young Indian Muslim educationist from Australia, who has made his way into the Rajasthan Assembly as an MLA with the dream to bring about a change at his native place, has made a mark by improving social conditions in the Meo-dominated region in the eastern part of the state. The MLA from Nagar constituency in Bharatpur district, Wajib Ali, 40, defies the image of typical politicians.
Born in a Meo Muslim family of Nagar block’s Sikri village, Ali had left his native place to pursue higher studies in 2005, when he first went to New Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia and later migrated to Australia. He came back to Bharatpur in 2013 and contested the State Assembly election as a National People’s Party candidate, but he lost to Bharatiya Janata Party’s sitting MLA Anita Singh.
MLA from Nagar constituency Wajib Ali with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot
Ali has a thriving real estate business in Australia and he runs eight colleges and a school, along with his two brothers, in the cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. He led a successful election campaign in the rural heartland during the December 2018 Assembly polls and was elected an MLA on the Bahujan Samaj Party’s ticket from the Nagar seat.
In 2019, Ali defected to the ruling Congress along with five other BSP MLAs while declaring that all of them wanted to ensure the State Government’s stability. The move came amid reports of the BJP trying to lure the BSP MLAs in a bid to repeat a Karnataka-type upheaval in Rajasthan. Ali and his fellow MLAs also supported Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot during the political crisis in 2020, caused by the rebellion of the then Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, and voted for the Congress candidates in the Rajya Sabha elections held in June 2022.
Ali was later appointed the Chairperson of the Rajasthan State Food Commission in August 2022. He has been active in the Meo-dominated region since 2013, extending support to the people’s struggles and raising their issues with the Government authorities.
Ali says that he had come back to India with the desire to make a difference in people’s lives and improve the social conditions in eastern Rajasthan. “This is the most backward area in Rajasthan and the basic facilities are lacking here. Moreover, the people belonging to the Meo Muslim community are treated with suspicion,” he says.
In his election campaign, Ali succeeded in convincing the voters about his honest intentions. “People from all castes voted for me in Nagar constituency, where Muslims comprise 20% of population. The voters were convinced that I had sacrificed my comforts in Australia to do something for them,” he says with a sense of satisfaction.
“Moreover, I have defeated the idea of communalism and hate campaign, which is used for climbing up the ladder in politics. Common people have reposed faith in me,” Ali says. In the election results, BJP’s Anita Singh was relegated to the third position, while Samajwadi Party’s Nem Singh was the runner-up. Having secured 62,644 votes, Ali won with a margin of 25,467 votes.
Ever since his election, Ali has focused on education and health in his constituency in order to raise the standard of living of the villagers. “I have been working for improving the quality of Government education system. Private education is not a solution. Even if I open schools and colleges in Nagar, it cannot serve the numbers. Only a robust Government education set-up can benefit everyone,” he points out.
As regards the health sector, the condition of Government facilities was earlier pathetic in the villages, where 95% of the women’s delivery cases were referred to private hospitals. Ali’s interventions at various levels have helped improve the situation. He has also brought relief to Muslims and other marginalised groups by raising their issues on various forums.
Ali has drawn the attention of Government authorities to the law and order situation and corruption in various offices with public dealing. He has sought to utilise his position as an MLA for betterment of society and setting the things correct on various occasions. He recently raised the issue of suspension of an Urdu teacher, Amin Kayamkhani, with the Education Minister when the teacher drew the Minister’s attention to the Urdu subject being sidelined in the schools.
As a result of Ali’s sustained efforts, a large number of announcements were made for the development of the Nagar Assembly constituency in the 2023-24 State Budget presented in the Assembly last month. The announcements included construction of a hostel for girls belonging to minority community and a new sub-district hospital, establishment of an Agriculture College, installation of a faecal sludge treatment plant and upgradation of Khoh and Jaluki village panchayats as sub-tehsils.
The selfless and dedicated work by Ali in the eastern Rajasthan region both before and after his election as an MLA has set an example of how the young educated Muslims can bring a change by entering the multifarious fields of public service. The common people in Nagar constituency, who have reposed faith in Ali’s leadership, are hopeful that he will set new standards of public service and bring a new identity to the backward region.
source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> News> Society / by India Tomorrow Correspondent / March 31st, 2023
Karimnagar Committee held an annual Iftar party on Friday at a resort on the outskirts of Riyadh.
Jeddah:
In a world of constant connection through social media and cell phones, many expatriates have likely found themselves still feeling disconnected from those around them. Many NRIs don’t even know the people who are from the same niegbourhoods living abroad along with them.
Connecting with compatriots from the homeland not only strengthens bonds within the community in alien land but also renders service to them in rain or shine, this is the concept of the Karimnagar Committee.
Riyadh-based Karimnagar Committee, an expatriate organization that looks after NRIs from Karimnagar town of Telangana is one of the sincere and old organizations in the Saudi capital that has been serving the needs of Karimnagar NRIs for over two decades.
Interestingly it’s the maiden community organization of the Karimnagar NRIs not only in Saudi Arabia but the rest of the Gulf countries yet maintains a low profile and is far away from any publicity.
Karimnagar Committee as it is widely known among the NRIs hailing from the town and working primarily in Riyadh.
In fact, it was the one that facilitated employment opportunities for scores of newly arriving Karimnagar youth in search of green pastures. It imparted job orientation skills among youth before being recruited thus making it dearer to many youngsters in the town.
Only the “Karimnagar” tag is a criterion to find shared accommodation in Hara for unemployed youth of the town.
Ramzan Packs, an initiative kickstarted 20 years ago saw numerous beneficiaries from low income families in need during the holy month of Ramadan.
Karimnagar Committee holds its annual Iftar gathering in a sheer spiritual environment away from so-called leaders and officials. This is the only gathering that enthusiastic Karimnagaris come together, according to organisers.
In a joyful Ramadan atmosphere, the Karimnagar Committee held an annual Iftar party on Friday at a resort on the outskirts of Riyadh, in which it was keen on meeting all Karimnagaris as one family around Dastarkhwan or Iftar mats.
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> Middle East / by Irfan Mohammed / April 09th, 2023
The Aligarh Alumni Association, Washington, DC (AAADC) has announced the award of 344 merit cum means scholarships to students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) for the academic year 2022-2023.
According to a press release from the AMU PR Office the scholarships are awarded based on merit and financial need and aim to provide support to deserving students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at AMU. The scholarship covers tuition fees, accommodation expenses, and a stipend for books and other academic expenses.
“The Association is committed to supporting the education of deserving students at AMU,” said Shakeela Raza, President of AAADC. “We believe that education is the key to social and economic development. We are proud to support the next generation of leaders and professionals.”
The scholarship recipients were selected through an application and evaluation process, which included academic achievements, financial needs, and a personal statement. The selection of 344 students came from more than 2000 applicants. Based on the Merit-cum-Means formula the Association short-listed 850 students and AMU Alumni Affairs Committee representative team led by Prof. Ekram Khan finalized the name of 144 new students. There were 200 previous recipients. After verification, their cases were also approved. The selection committee comprised Scholarship Committee Members and faculty members of AMU.
“We are grateful to the Association for its generous support,” said Tariq Mansoor, Vice-Chancellor of AMU. “These scholarships will enable our students to pursue their academic goals without the burden of financial constraints. We appreciate the commitment of the Alumni Association to the welfare of AMU students.”
The Association was established in 1975 and has been since supporting education and research at AMU. The merit-cum-means scholarships are one of its flagship initiatives. The scholarships are open to all students of AMU.
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> India / by News Desk / March 28th, 2023
Nagu Rao Namoji senior BJP leader addressing the gatherings.
US-based philanthropist Dr Mohammad Qutubuddin held a felicitation ceremony in honour of the people who struggled to realize the dream of making Narayanpet a district, which was announced on 17th February 2017.
The ceremony, organized in collaboration with the Indian chapter of the American Federation of Muslims of Indian origin (AFMI) and Hayat Foundation USA, was held in Narayanpet district, Telangana.
Dr. Qutbuddin, who remained the key figure in organizing the event, lauded the role of politicians, regardless of their political affiliations, and common people who campaigned for making Narayanpet a district. He thanked the residents of the district for their contribution.
“I might live in the USA but my heart yearns for Narayanpet,” said Dr. Qutbuddin, expressing hope that the new district would flourish in future.
On the occasion, local MLA S. Rajender Reddy pledged to transform Narayanpet’s landscape over the next three years and take the district to new heights of prosperity.
Narayanpet MLA S. Rajinder Reddy presenting Shawl to Dr Qutubuddin.
Reddy lauded Dr. Qutbuddin for his efforts and said that his “immense love for Narayanpet and his tireless efforts for the development of the district prove that he’s a visionary leader”.
Editor of noted Urdu daily Siasat, Zahid Ali Khan spoke about his family’s root in Mehboobnagar and Narayanpet. Ali, who was chief guest on the occasion, recalled that his father Abid Ali Khan was born and raised in this region.
He said that his family understands the region and the community’s intellectual, artistic, and literary endeavors as well as the sincere attitudes of its residents have always given them great heartfelt satisfaction.
Dr. Qutbuddin played a prominent role in representing the people of the region, he said while thanking the efforts he made in the development of the people’s life.
Nagu Rao Namaji, a senior state BJP leader, claimed that he has consistently been in the forefront when it comes to preserving peace and harmony in Narayanpet and vowed to maintain it in future. He pleaded with the MLA to link Narayanpet to the Railways as the Center was prepared to do so. In addition, he stressed the necessity of Reddy’s pledge to complete irrigation projects.
AFMI’s regional president, Prof. Sana Qutbuddin also addressed the gathering and said that her father Dr. Qutbuddin is passionate about his native district Narayanpet. “My father has promised that he will devote more of his time towards the development of the district in the future,” she said.
In this ceremony, Nagu Rao Namaji, K Sudarshan Reddy Principal, Muhammad Nawazi, Moosa, Abdul Saleem Adv, Ameeruddin Adv, Dr. Tabrez Hussain Taj, Mohammad Taqi Chand, Abdul Qadar Maisoori Mujahid Siddiqui, Hafiz Mohammad Taqi and others were felicitated.
The editor-in-chief of the weekly Gawaah, Fazil Hussain Pervez, prominent personality of Arungabad, Maulana Mirza Abdul Qayyum Nadvi, Journalist Sadiq Ali, Rasheed, Telugu speaker, Maulana Abdul Qavi and others participated in the event as special guests. MLA S. Rajinder Reddy was presented with the Narayanpet Seva Ratna Award in recognition of his services.
The proceeding of the event was conducted by Abdul Saleem Advocate while the program ended with a vote of thanks by Dr. Tabrez Hussain Taj.
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Positive Story / by Muslim Mirror Network / February 25th, 2023
Bazme Sadaf International (BSI) award is to be given to famous Urdu poet Shahida Hassan while Ambareen Salahuddin was selected for the new generation writer award, according to a statement received in Doha.
Ibrahim Kamal Khan (Qatar), Zahoorul Islam Javed (Abu Dhabi) and Sheraz Ali ( UK) were selected for Urdu Movement awards.
The awards will be presented in Doha at a grand ceremony on January 26-27, followed by an international literary festival and poetry symposium.
Delegates and eminent literary personalities from 12 counties are expected to attend the gala event.
Speaking at a press conference in Patna, India, BSI director Prof Safdar Imam Quadri announced the names of awardees of 6th BSI awards and enumerated their literary achievements.
Shahida Hassan is a Canada-based Urdu poet who has published three acclaimed anthologies of poems and also translated select pieces from contemporary literature of other languages into Urdu.
The new generation award, given to a promising writer below 50 every year, has been bagged by Pakistani academic and poet Ambareen Salahuddin. Both the awardees will be arriving in Doha to receive their awards and participate in the literary festival too.
BSI also gives awards to individuals who have served the cause of promotion of Urdu language and literature.
For 2020, this award has been given to Ibrahim Kamal Khan who, as the founder president of Anjuman Mohibban e Urdu in Doha, has provided significant service to the cause of Urdu language in Doha.
Abu-Dhabi-based poet Zahoorul Islam Javed would be given this award for 2021 and UK-based academic Sheraz Ali for 2022.
In the last two years, this award has been renamed after the late Sabih Bukhari, who was the chief patron of BSI until his death.
BSI chairman Shahabuddin Ahmad, in a message sent from Doha, congratulated all the winners and informed that eminent Urdu poets and literary figures from 12 counties have confirmed their participation in the event.
They include Shahida Hassan (Canada), Khalid Irfan (US), Zahoorul Islam Javed (Abu Dhabi), Hassan Kazmi, Safdar Imam Quadri, Azm Skakiri, Shadab Azmi and Dr Shakil (India), Ambareen Salahuddin and Ali Zariyun (Pakistan), Sadaf Mirza ( Denmark), Ateeq Anzar, Ahmad Ashfaq, Nadeem Jilani Danish and Wasiul Haq Wasi (Qatar), Masood Hassas (Kuwait), Ayesha Shaikh Aashi (Dubai) Jamil Ahsan ( Sweden), A M Tahir (Germany) and renowned journalist Dr Mohammed Gauhar.
BSI chief patron Hassan Chougule congratulated the awardees and requested all Urdu lovers to attend the poetry symposium in DPS-Modern Indian School auditorium, Al Wakra on January 27.
BSI Doha chapter president Dr Nadeem Zafar Jilani also expressed his happiness at the announcement of the awards and congratulated the winners.
source: http://www.gulf-times.com / Gulf Times / Home> Community / January 19th, 2023
Judge Shama Hakim is the first South Asian American woman and the first Muslim American woman on any appellate court in United States.
New York:
In a first, Indian-American Democrat Shama Hakim Mesiwala has been unanimously confirmed as associate justice of the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento, California.
Mesiwala, 48, was administered the oath of office this month by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments.
She was confirmed by a unanimous vote of the three-member commission, which included Chief Justice Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Acting Presiding Justice Ronald B. Robie.
Judge Mesiwala, who would now be the first South Asian American woman and the first Muslim American woman on any appellate court in the country, would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Coleman A. Blease.
She has served as a Sacramento County Superior Court judge since 2017 and was a commissioner there in 2017.
Mesiwala is the co-founder of the South Asian Bar Association of Sacramento and the president of the Schwartz/Levi Inn of Court.
She served as the Americans with Disabilities judge for the Sacramento County Superior Court Hall of Justice and created the first Indian Child Welfare Act courtroom in Northern California.
Armed with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law, Mesiwala also teaches appellate advocacy as an adjunct professor in the same university.
source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> United States / by ummid.com with inputs from IANS / February 28th, 2023
Hindustan aur Kuwait (Tarīkhī, Ilmì aur Thaqafatī Rishte’ by Dr Abdul Qadir Shams launched in Delhi.
New Delhi:
Hindustan aur Kuwait (Tarīkhī, Ilmì aur Thaqafatī Rishte) i.e. India and Kuwait: Historical, Academic and Cultural Relations in Urdu, a book crafted out of the doctoral thesis of late Dr Abdul Qadir Shams Qasmi (1972-2020) originally titled ‘Ulūm-e-Islamī ki Tahqīq-o-Isha’at mein Wazārat-e-Auqaf Kuwait ka Kirdar by Mohammad Khalid Azmi (residing in Kuwait) was launched at Hotel River View, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi on Saturday, 25 February, 2023. The launch programme witnessed a good number of participants from media, academia and other spheres.
The participatns appreciated Khalid Azmi for his timely efforts to turn the thesis into a book with helpful additions to focus on the bilateral role of India and Kuwait in the academic and cultural domains.
The event was presided over by Prof Akhtarul Wasey, Islamic scholar and former president of Maulana Azad University, Jodhpur. Academics and media persons including Dr Raziul Islam Nadwi, Professor Iqtidar Mohammad Khan, Maulana Asghar Ali Imam Mehdi Salafi, Dr Waris Mazhari, Dr Khalid Mubashshir, Dr Mohammad Ajmal, Suhail Anjum, Siraj Naqvi shared their views.
Dr Shahabuddin Saqib Qasmi, senior sub-editor, Urdu daily Inquilab, conducted the event, organised by Qari Zafar Iqbal Madni of Jamiatul Qasim Darul Uloom -il Islamia, Supaul, Bihar.
Mufti Mohammad Ansar Qasmi of Jamiatul Qasim presented vote of thanks.
It should be noted that author and senior journalist, Dr Abdul Qadir Shams Qasmi, had died of cardiac arrest on 25 August, 2020, during Covid-19.
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Books / by Manzar Imam / February 27th, 2023
American Specialty Foods Co, on February 19 celebrated its 10th anniversary in Dubai with Valerie Brown, Regional Agricultural Counselor at USDA, US Consulate General Dubai attending the event as the Guest of Honor.
American Specialty Foods Co. that serves the taste of American flavors to over 50 countries with 20 product categories unveiled a brand new catalogue boasting over 650 products. The catalogue was unveiled by worldwide CEO of American Specialty Foods Co. Hany M Haneef, a prominent and dynamic NRI entrepreneur hailing from Mangalore.
“When I founded this company, it was a dream that I aimed to accomplish through passion. Despite the struggles we went through and the challenges we accomplished, it is the undying support of everyone which has enabled the company to achieve more than what we envisioned,” Hany M Haneef said during the event.
Valerie Brown, lauded the company and its achievements adding that the company was epitome of a company that “gets it”.
“They are deliberate, diligent and dynamic in promoting the best the US has to offer. I am delighted to celebrate them,” Valerie said.
Another guest Moroslav Hosek, spoke about the intensity with which Hany works as a professional.
“I have known Hany for five years now, but it feels like I have known him for at least 10 years. So intense a personal and business relationship it is indeed,” he said.
Incorporated in the USA 10 years ago, with a corporate office in Maryland, and a marketing office in New York, American Specialty Foods Co. includes a wide variety of products across 20 categories, including sauces, dressings, mayonnaise, tortilla chips, salsa, potato chips, popcorn, syrups, olives and more.
American Specialty has increased its global footprint, with regional offices in Dubai, London and Mexico.
The company is now venturing into the B2C segment to reach an increased number of households and bring the goodness of American taste to all, a press statement from the company said.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / by Vartha Bharati / February 25th, 2023
Mouzam Makkar is currently seen on high voltage legal drama “The Fix” on ABC.
Actor Mouzam Makkar, who plays Loni Kampoor on ABC’s ongoing series The Fix, has come a long way since she arrived in the US as an excited 12-year-old. Today, she along with many other South Asians in American entertainment industry, are not only defying brown stereotypes but are also introducing a newer idea of success in otherwise academically inclined South Asian American families.
While The Fix began airing last month, Makkar has been slowly establishing her identity as a talented Indian American actor. Last year, she was seen in Champions on NBC that was created by Mindy Kaling and Charlie Grandy. Before this, Makkar was also seen in The Following, Exorcist, Law & Order: SVU and many other shows.
“It’s a very exciting time to be a South Asian actor,” she says about being among the few brown actresses who may be changing the long-held stereotypes on American TV. “There are more of us doing TV and film than ever before and the types of roles we play continue to expand. There are also more South Asian content creators and that makes a big difference in expanding the types of narratives we get to tell. It’s been wonderful to be a part of a variety of stories where my characters were not solely defined by my ethnicity.”
Makkar, who hails from Kerala, India, spent a few years in the UAE before making America her home. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance and worked in both investment banking and private equity before shifting to entertainment. Asked if it is doubly difficult for a person of color to find a foothold in the highly competitive Hollywood, Makkar says, “Hollywood is a very tough industry and being a person of color when the majority of the stories are still being told through a white lens makes it that much more difficult. However, things are changing and an important aspect of that change come from people behind the camera. Directors, producers and casting agents who are willing to think outside the box when they’re trying to fill a role make a difference in changing what’s on screen.”
Makkar also spoke about a growing number of South Asians in entertainment. “Those creating their own content can make some of the biggest difference in this industry and that’s exactly what the likes of Mindy Kaling, Aziz Ansari, Hasan Minhaj and Kumail Nanjiani have done with their projects,” She says. “When you write the story, you no longer have to play the supporting character – you can be the hero, the story can revolve around you and your experience. That what these folks have done with their TV shows and films – they’ve shown that the South Asian character and story no longer has to be an afterthought – they can be the main attraction.”
She spoke about the kinds of roles that she would want to see more on TV and in Hollywood. “As a Muslim artist, I would love to see a broader representation of Muslims in TV and film,” she says. “Muslims are an especially misunderstood group in this country and I truly believe that more nuanced and diverse portrayals of the Muslim diaspora can go a long way in helping the general public dismantle many of the negative stereotypes they may hold against Muslims. Given the recent attack in New Zealand, understanding and compassion is more important now than ever. The stories you see in TV and film can go a long way in humanizing people and experiences that you yourself might not directly encounter.”
On the artists that may have inspired her, Makkar says, “My dear friend, Fawzia Mirza, is an amazing filmmaker, actor and activist and she is absolutely an inspiration for creating and sharing stories boldly. As a queer storyteller, she brings yet another layer to the narrative and filmmakers like her are instrumental in showing the world that there isn’t just one type of Muslim or South Asian in this world. We are a varied and diverse group, dealing with unique and universal struggles and we can’t be neatly boxed into a single category.”
source: http://www.americanbazaaronline.com / The American Bazaar / Home> News> Entertainment / by Zofeen Maqsood / April 04th, 2019
