Sahebaan Welfare Trust launched with grand event in Mangalore
Mangalore: Sahebaan Welfare Trust (SWT), an NGO established in December 2023 for the welfare of the Sahebaan Community (Urdu-speaking Hanafi people from DK and Udupi districts), celebrated its launch with a gathering at Ocean Pearl Hotel Kodiyalbail, Mangalore.
The event witnessed the presence of more than 120 prominent members of the Sahebaan Community from both districts and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Imtiaz Khatib commenced the function with a Qirath recitation.
Afroz Assadi, the President of the Trust, extended a welcome to the gathering and expressed gratitude for their participation. Imtiaz Khatib, Trustee SWT, introduced the Trust, outlining its purpose and goals.
Prof Muzaffer Assadi, former Vice Chancellor of Mysore University, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the challenges faced by the Sahebaan community and emphasizing the need for improvement through education and skill development. Shabih Ahmed Kazi, Former President of Jamiyyatul Falah DK and Udupi districts, also addressed the occasion.
Siraj Ahmed, MD of Inland Infrastructure Pvt Ltd Mangalore, emphasized the importance of adapting to changes and called upon Sahebaan Youth to take the lead. Kota Ibrahim, Former President, Udupi Muslim Okkuta, lauded the formation of the trust and pledged support.
Syed Siraj Ahmed, Secretary of the Trust, explained that SWT is an offshoot of Sahebaan UAE, which has been active in the social and cultural activities of the community for over 30 years. He highlighted the migration of community members for employment, leaving the community unrepresented in DK and Udupi.
Mumtaz Hussain from Qatar spoke on Urdu culture and language, emphasizing the need to promote and nurture them. The event featured felicitations for individuals for their achievements and contributions to society, including Major D M Nizamuddin (Retd), B G Mohd, Dr. Safwan Ahmed, Dr. Fathima Raeesa, Ilham Dawood, and Aliya Imtiaz Khan.
Several dignitaries, including Mateen Ahmed, Haq Assadi, Meraj Yousef, Najmuddin Assadi, Mohd Akram, Asif Iqbal, Abid, and Zubeir Amber, were honored for their achievements and contributions to the community. Anshu Maryam effectively anchored the event, and the trustees, including Iqbal Manna, Rafiq Assadi, Althaf Khatib, and Sahil Zaheer, extended their support.
Aliya Imtiaz conveyed the vote of thanks, marking the successful launch of the Sahebaan Welfare Trust.
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UP Cong holds statewide protest seeking probe into FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand
Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a statewide protest demanding a fair and transparent inquiry into the FIR lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who filed the complaint against him.
In a statement issued here, the party said memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were submitted through district magistrates in all districts of the state.
Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi told PTI that the memorandums were handed over through the district administration in all 75 districts.
In the memorandum, the party alleged that Saraswati and his disciples were "unnecessarily harassed and humiliated" by police on the occasion of Amavasya and were prevented from taking a ritual bath (at the Magh Mela). It further alleged that some disciples were manhandled and taken to a police station.
The memorandum also claimed that an FIR was later registered against Saraswati, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari and several unidentified persons in a sexual harassment case. It termed the case a "conspiracy" aimed at tarnishing the seer's reputation.
Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum stated that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.
It described the position of shankaracharya held by Saraswati as "one of the highest spiritual posts in Sanatan tradition" and alleged that the entire episode appeared to have been "orchestrated in a planned manner".
"We request that the background of the persons who got the FIR registered be investigated in a transparent manner by a retired high court judge and strict action be taken against them," the memorandum said.
It also sought a "fair and transparent probe" into the allegations levelled against Saraswati so that the truth could be established.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had told reporters in Varanasi after meeting Saraswati that the party stood firmly with him.
The Congress said it would continue to press for an impartial inquiry into the entire episode.
On February 21, an FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.
Days after he was booked, Saraswati had said on Monday that he would not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" would be exposed sooner or later.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Saraswati alleged that criminals rule in Uttar Pradesh, level allegations and influence investigations, as he denied having any contact with the two persons for whose alleged sexual abuse he has been booked.
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