Indian Christian businessman who built mosque last year, now serve iftar meals to 800 Muslim workers
Dubai: An Indian Christian businessman, who built a mosque for Muslim workers in the UAE, is serving iftar meals to nearly 800 workers during the ongoing month of Ramzan.
Saji Cheriyan, 49, who hails from Kerala's Kayamkulam, built the mosque last year for Muslim workers living in a worker accommodation that he rented out to 53 companies in Fujairah.
He built the Mariam Umm Eisa (Mary, the Mother of Jesus) mosque after he saw workers spending their earnings on taking taxis to go to the nearest mosque to offer prayers during the holy month.
Ramzan this year began on May 7.
Cheriyan, who landed in the UAE in 2003 with just a few hundred dirhams, hosts iftar for about 800 people including workers and other senior employees of various companies at an air conditioned convention centre in the same complex, the Gulf News reported.
The mosque opened on the 17th night of Ramadan last year. So, I could offer iftar to the worshippers only for the remaining days. From this year, I would be doing it every day, he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
The iftar meal includes dates, fresh fruits, snacks, juice, water and biryani. I have made arrangements to offer different types of biryani so that they don't get bored eating the same dish every iftar, he said.
Abdul Qayum, a 63-year-old Pakistani bus driver, who had iftar on Wednesday, appreciated Cheriyan's efforts.
The world needs people like him. If there are no people like him, the world will end. We are praying for him. Allah will bless him.
Vajas Abdul Wahid, an Indian employed as assistant manager with a company, said there are employees of more than 50 companies living in the area.
"Senior employees and labourers are staying in separate accommodations. But, when we come here, we are all equal. We pray and have iftar together, he added.
The mosque in the East Ville Real Estate complex in Al Hayl Industrial Area can accommodate 250 worshippers at a time. Facilities for another 700 to pray in the interlocked courtyard of the mosque, which will be shaded by the time it opens, have also been arranged.
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Bidar: YouTuber attempts suicide after accusing SP, other police officers of harassment on Facebook
Bidar: A YouTuber from the district reportedly attempted to commit suicide while going Live on Facebook to accuse police officers, including the Superintendent of Police, of continuously harassing him and and driving him to take the extreme step.
The YouTuber, Salman Khan, who runs the channel ‘Media in Truth’, stated on Thursday that he had been facing harassment from several officers, including the SP, for some time.
“I upload and share videos on a variety of issues on my YouTube channel. I shared all these videos with the SP too, yet, I was called to the SP’s office on the pretext of a peace meeting, where an attempt was made to assault me in front of everyone, completely damaging my dignity and reputation,” Khan has said on Facebook Live.
Speaking further, he said that he was asked why he posted so many videos related to the police.
Claiming that he was called and told to delete the clips, Khan said he was being harassed by the SP himself.
“The SP is misusing his powers and strangulating the truth. He has also harassed several other people in Bidar district,” he said.
He also questioned how the officer would treat others if a media person was being subjected to such harassment.
“I am being forced to close my YouTube channel as the SP is attempting to register a false case against me and he might also take my life. I therefore urge citizens to please take care of my family,” Khan said on Facebook Live before allegedly consuming drugs.
On Thursday night, Khan’s condition was reported to be critical. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences (BRIMS) Hospital.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
