Coastal Talk News | Udupi
Building a harmonious society and strengthening unity among people should be the foremost priority of Udupi District Muslim Federation, Minister for Waqf, Haj, Minority Welfare and Health U.T. Khader said on Sunday.
He was speaking after inaugurating the new office of the Udupi District Muslim Federation at the V.K. Paradise building in Udupi city. The federation, which has completed 25 years, is celebrating its silver jubilee this year. “We must help the community, but should not become communal. Religious faith is a strength of our soil, not a weakness. We must imbibe the values of every religion, respect other faiths and stand by people in their difficulties. This should be our first priority. Muslim Federation should take up the responsibility of building such a society,” Khader said.
Coastal Development Board Chairman M.A. Gafoor, who was the chief guest, said unity within the community was its greatest strength. “We must all work towards building society through love. The federation’s efforts to strengthen community’s unity while promoting harmony with other communities are commendable,” he said.
Karnataka State Muslim Federation Convenor Suhail Ahmed Maroor said the organisation had played a significant role in promoting communal harmony and had become a model for society in this regard. “The federation has made considerable efforts to unite the community. If India is to remain a secular and harmonious nation, hundreds of such organisations must emerge and work constructively,” he said.
Federation district president Mohammed Moula, who presided over the programme, said the new office symbolised the community’s unity, trust and commitment towards the future. He announced that the federation plans to launch an ambitious programme to provide civil services examination training and coaching to talented and interested students from the district.
Former federation president Yaseen Malpe, in his address, said the Congress government should fulfil the assurances given to the community before winning the election. He urged the government to implement the promises before the next elections.
Bhatkal Majlis-e-Islah-o-Tanzeem president Inayatullah Shabandari and others also spoke. V.K. Group and building owner Karunakara M. Shetty was felicitated on the occasion. Federation honorary president Haji Abdullah Parkala, former presidents Haji Abdullah Navunda, Ashfaq Karkala and Ibrahim Kota, and senior vice-president Mohammed Rafiq BSF were present.
