News and pics by P A Abdul Hameed
Daijiworld Media Network - Riyadh (GA)

Riyadh, Mar 19: A new vivid dimension could be apparently seen in the Get-Together-2009 organized by Riyadh Jam’iyyathul Falah’s (JF) which was held recently at Al-Qasr Resort in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. The wall and premises of the Auditorium were reflected mostly with hand-outs and posters that contained of message for “Anti-Dowry Campaign” along with educational development. There was a pragmatic change (Parivarthane) as around 30 unmarried youngsters have voluntarily stepped forward with a vow not to take dowry when they marry and have registered their names for this purpose. A documentary film named-“Parivarthane” has been released on the occasion that showed some of the milestones that were achieved after filming of “Munnade” and “Aakrandana”, which had already been viewed by scores of people throughout the world.

Hundreds of audience present at the get-together, mostly youth, remained silent in dark auditorium hall for more than one hour, and viewed the documentary film that showed the pitiable lives of the community back in the undivided districts of Dakshina Kannada, plus their latest improved status because of JF’s constant effort. After the show, when Khasim Ahmed, president of Riyadh unit and recipient of the Best Beary of the Year award, came on the the stage for the analysis of the film and asked the young bachelor audience to show their willingness to anti-dowry cause, 30 bachelors-aged around 25 years-came to the dais declaring that they will not take any dowry during their marriage. The youngsters received a huge ovation from the audience present for their unequivocal determination.

While talking to Daijiworld, Khasim has appreciated all the JF Chapters in the Kingdom for their cooperation and involvement in this programme, and expressed his elation on the far-out gesture shown by the youth in the gathering. He also called upon other youngsters of both Dakshina Kannada and other districts in the Kingdom and other Gulf countries to come forward to get married without resorting to dowry, which caused many young women, remain unmarried, and made their family to stay behind in wretched conditions. He said that dowry became a serious pain in the neck amongst Muslim community in the undivided district of Dakshina Kannada.

Having based in Mangalore, JF Units in Saudi Arabia took several crucial dimensions to implement its set objectives mainly in the field of education and other social and philanthropic activities. Since two-three years, JF Riyadh Chapter, with cooperation of all other JF Units in Saudi Arabia, has been leaving behind tremendous landmarks in its get-togethers to make the people aware of various socio-economic evils and problems that are existing and being encountered by Muslim community. JF had and has been on its realistic way through its ready available data figures to take up several awareness programmes relating to education, health, social evils, poverty and so on. While, the documentary films-“Munnade” (Forward Looking) aimed at underlining the community’s lack of religious and general education that resulted in cropping up of multifarious snags, “Aakrandana” (Lamentation) succeeded in presenting the poverty and social evils that became major bottleneck in educating the community and its development on the whole. In fact, both films have become successful in creating a major awareness in the midst of the community people both in South Kanara and in the Kingdom.

Many have become alert after viewing the documentary films as a picture is worth a thousand words. Some have taken a step forward in this direction. Recently, a Mangalorean tycoon Asif from Jubail, the Industrial City of the Kingdom, has took a drastic step and got his brother engaged to marry a poor girl from a remote area in Dakshina Kannada district. When his father was interviewed by JF members, who were present on the engagement function, he told that they have decided to take the poor family’s girl as his daughter-in-law by providing all arrangements to the family.

All these ground-breaking changes are the after-effects of the awareness programmes through the factual movies. Around 61 families, who are below poverty line and depicted in “Aakrandana”, have been rehabilitated on most urgent priority-basis through 5-points programme, which included of shelter and toilet, health care, education, clothing, food and income sources. There are many more poor families, which are taken into consideration for the rehabilitation and other basic amenities. Since it is a huge and costly programme, JF alone cannot carry out as it has to take up many other diverse tasks. Local Jam’aath, charity donors, philanthropists, local panchayath, taluk and zilla panchayath, state government, central government have to look into these basic problems on top priority basis.

JF’s watchword-“Education is the key to success” is the main fountain that sprang all these major programmes. Further, through Dropouts School campaign, nearly 500 school drop-outs were given a second opportunity to complete their education in different villages. About 3000 students were provided scholarships at different levels, and some of them availed this scheme until the completion of their course. Hostel facility is also being provided by JF back in the districts. JF conducted many medical camps, mobile clinic, health awareness camps, free medicine distribution, in which nearly 5000 patients have benefited in the rural areas of undivided Dakshina Kannada. Many were admitted to hospital and got treated for their major diseases.

Many more activities are in the schedule of JF Chapters in the Kingdom and Mangalore JF headquarters that definitely deserve appreciation.  

So, this year’s JF get-together came out as a revolutionary gathering rather than a just fun and frisk. There were also many open-door programmes for men and women. Separate arrangement was made for the ladies and children. Scores of events like tug-of-war, musical chair, volleyball (Banakal vs. Blue Star, in which Banakal won the game), spot-quiz based on both Islamic and current issues etc were conducted. Winners and runners-up of the games are given with attractive prizes.