SANTHOSH CHANDRAN DOHA THE two day Qatar Malayali conference concluded on Friday.

Minister of Awqaf (Religious Endowments & Islamic Affairs HE Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak bin Imran al Kuwari inaugurated the concluding session of the conference at Abu Backer Siddiq Independent School in Muntaza.

The conference which was hosted by Qatar Indian Islahi Center Qatar (QIIC) had ‘Eternal Peace through Righteousness’ as the theme. It was attended by writers, activists, political and religious leaders from both India and Qatar. Addressing the gathering, Indian Ambassador HE Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa said that the Kerala community in Qatar has represented India positively in many ways. Saif Ali al-Hajari, vice-chairman of Qatar Foundation reminded the audience of values in life in spite of global technological advancement.

Other dignitaries who spoke on the occasion were Sheikh Khalid Fakhroo, an official of Qatar Charity, Hamad bin Ahmad al Mulla, director of FANAR, and Husain Madavoor, the Kerala chapter general-secretary of Indian Islahi Movement. KN Sulaiman Madani presided over the conference. The cultural segment of the conference was inaugurated by noted Indian writer P Zakariya who said that mainstream Indian media has been focusing on matters concerning less than 20 percent of the people while 80 percent of the underprivileged are largely ignored. The youth meet organised as part of the conference was attended by members of Kerala Legislative Assembly KM Shaji and PC Vishnunath.

Media personality Sebastian Paul and Mujahid Students Movement Kerala chapter president Asif Ali Kannur also participated in the session. A detailed memorandum on the major issues facing the Indian expatriate community was submitted to the Kerala government during the conference. Vishnunath received the memorandum on behalf of the government. A total of 5,000 people participated in the various sessions of the conference.