Report and pics by P A Hameed Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Riyadh (SP)
 
Riyadh, May 4: “Human beings failed to revere and keep remembering their real creator, as they deviated by their path. They let their whims and fancies have control over what they said or did, and overlooked to tread the path the Lord showed them. When we start thinking in the right direction about our creator, we realize that He never submits to change. We have no other path except reverting back to the original guidelines to realize His existence, as happened to many including me. So, have reverence and a sense of fear towards our creator, which comes by submitting to His will,” said Umer Rao, a Bangalorean, well-known speaker and IT Consultant in STC, addressing a huge gathering, jointly organized by Karnataka Salafi Association and Karsaragod District Salafi Association-Riyadh, recently at Golden Palace in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. It was organized under the title,“The Call for True Message”. 
 
“After reverting to Islam about five years ago, I have been nurturing pity for my fellow Muslims, who I feel, have concealed a lot of facts about the reality of Islam from the world; they have not done what they were told to do, as per the instructions contained in Qur’aan, Hadeeth and other tenets of Islam; I contemplate that they did not properly use the opportunity to spread the universal message of Qur’aan,  and also the words and actions of the prophets and messengers including the last Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh), who transformed a uncivilized and boorish society into a sophisticated nation with his simple and  unfussy message -“Turn to the Oneness of God, and don’t make any companionship in any of His attribute”. He quoted a Hadeeth (saying of the Prophet Muhammad) that “every child when born automatically happens to be in a submissive state to his/her creator (God). He then, will be converted into Zalimoon (going against the will of God) because of  the environment  in which he is born and  brought up; be good and sincere to others for the sake of God and God will definitely elevate our status in all respects, and use every opportunity to spread the Dawah (call for true message)…..” Rao advised the audience. Rao delivered his address in Kannada, which was then translated into Malayalam for the Malayalee audience by Mohammed Kunhi Udinoor (KDSA Adviser). His speech was followed by a question and answer session for about 30 minutes with the audience.    

Prominent Saudi scholar, Sheikh Abdur Rahman Al-Eedan inaugurated the programme, and urged the audience and others to follow and uphold the true path of Islam - the oneness of Allah - that was clearly introduced by the Salafussaliheen and Islam strictly prohibits any addition or omission in Deen (Islam), as they ultimately pave way for the journey towards hellfire. 
 
Iqbal Kollam delivered a lecture on the subject,“Quraan Vilikkunnu” (Qur’aan Calling) in Malayalam. He pointed out the importance, practicability and universality of the teachings of Qur’aan for all times. He elucidated that in spite of the passage of 1,400 years, not even a single comma or dot has not been changed nor will be distorted ever; this proves that they are the words of God that contains Shifa (Cure) as well as a clear guidance.
 
Hyder Ullal, a Mangalorean, well-known Islamic scholar and Daee in Dammam, addressed the audience in Beary language on the topic-“Tawheed, Swargattho Theru”. He stoutly advocated strict adherence to the teachings of Salafussaliheen (Companions of Prophet Muhammad (S.A); any deviation and addition or making companionship in any attribute of Allah will lead to doom thereafter. “A true Muslim can submit his will for Allah alone and he cannot mix up his Aqeedah (true faith) with the belief that is totally against the teachings of Qur’aan, Hadeeth/Sunnah and model of Sahabas, who presented the Deen as it is; truth and falsehood cannot be in the same place and both cannot be right; there are many innovations and things that are against the oneness of God in our community, that have to be eradicated through true teachings of the above-said Islamic tenets,” Ullal said in his inimitable style.
 
Sameer Munderi Jubail Jaliyath (Mokshattinde Margam), Rafeeq Madani Saastan (Kutumba Jeevana), Abdul Qayyum Ullal, Jeddah (Dawattina Pradhanyate), Abdul Hameed M H, Dammam, Abdullah Jamali (Principal- Riyadh Salafi Madarasa), Dr Sabah Moulavi and Mohammed Kutty - Daee, Riyadh Jaliyath) also delivered their respective speeches on the occasion.
 
Moosa Talapady, president of Karnataka Salafi Association, delivered the welcome speech and gave a brief account of the activities of the organization.  Haneef B K Bardila (Bikernakatte), vice president of KSA and Haneef ATS (Uppala), president of Kasaragod District Salafi Association, were the pioneers of the event that was held in both Kannada and Malayalam. Sahajahan (secretary of KDSA) presented the activities of Kasaragod Salafi Association.
 
The conference was kicked off with the Qur’aan recitation by Abdul Wahhab.
 
Several events were arranged during the programme. In the written Islamic quiz competition, Najeeb KB won the first prize and Sabeena Moidu won the second prize.
 
Azaan Competition: First prize - Master Abdur Raheem Haneef, second prize - Master Abdul Wahhab.
 
Qira'ath competition: First prize - Master Bilal Mohammed Haneef, second prize - Master Yasir Mohiuddin Kutty.
 
Arabic song rendered by Abdul Wahhab and Abdul Raheem Haneef succeeded in mesmerizing the audience.

Khasim Ahmed, president, JF-Riyadh and the pioneer of community mass programmes, was present on the dais as a special guest. Abbas Bardila and Ibrahim T M, both advisors of Karnataka Salafi Association, were present at the dais.
 
Prize arrangements were made by Ashraf Talapadi and Mansoor Katipalla. Registration on arrival was done by Shakir Ahmed, Siddiq and Eliyas.
 
Food arrangements were made by Mohammed Manjeshwar (Bombay Hotel - Riyadh) and his team.
 
The event’s main sponsors were C M Kunhi, manager AFS Riyadh, Shifa Al Jazeera Clinic, Riyadh, Mohammed Soofi Manjeshwar, Iqbal Manjeshwar, Abdul Latif - Imad Trading, Rasheed Bambila, Elyas and brothers Bambila, Br Moosa Talapadi, Br Haneef B K, Br Haneef Uppala, and other well wishers. Vote of thanks was proposed by Br Shakir Ullal.