Diplomat’s speech on fasting leaves audience spellbound

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

RIYADH: A non-Muslim diplomat praised Islam and extolled the role of millions of fellow Indians of Islamic faith during an iftar party hosted by India’s Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association, Riyadh chapter (JMIAA), and said that Islam is the only religion in the world that offers “30 days of fasting for introspection.”

R.N. Vats, second secretary at Indian Embassy, said Islam is a universal religion for “inspiring countless individuals” to lead lives of honesty, integrity and morality.

Vats also called on his countrymen “to donate money to the needy section of society as per the provisions of zakat in Islam.” To the applause from an audience of about 200 men, women and children, Vats said that he was committed to build a better relationship between different faiths and communities.

“Ramadan is a very special month for Muslims, as in it Muslims perform various types of worship, the most important of them being fasting,” he said. “This fasting is one of the pillars of Islam.”

The iftar function, followed by a dinner, was also addressed by a few Islamic scholars and prominent Jamiaets.

Two senior Jamia alumni — Mohammed Shahabuddin and Ahsan Chaudhury — also delivered speeches. Shafaatullah Khan, a prominent Jamiaet, presented a flower bouquet to Vats, who was the chief guest on the occasion. Other JMIAA office bearers including Laique Ahmad, vice president, Asif Eqbal, general secretary, and Sajid Umair, treasurer, were present at the function besides a large number of community leaders and Indian expatriates.

Speaking on this occasion, Shahbuddin renewed the call to comply with the teachings of Islam. He said that the fasting is mandatory upon all adults who have the ability to fast. On his part, JMIAA President Kamal spoke about the genesis of the Jamia Millia Islamia and called on the people to follow the footsteps of the university’s great founders. Today, Jamia is a prominent name among the universities of Asia, said Kamal, adding that the university’s biotechnology department has been rated one of the top 10 public institutes of India in a nationwide survey.

-Courtesy of Arab News

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