Muhammad Alungal, chairman and managing director of Al-Abeer Medical Group, presents a certificate of appreciation to Jeddah Haj Welfare Forum Chairman Chemban Abbas at a function held in Jeddah on Saturday. — Courtesy photo



Hassan Cheruppa

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH – The Jeddah Haj Welfare Forum (JHWF) organized a function on Saturday to honor volunteers for the selfless services they had rendered to the guests of Allah during the last Haj.



Muhammad Alungal, chairman and managing director of Al-Abeer Medical Group, inaugurated the function, chaired by the Forum Chairman Chemban Abbas at Lucky Darbar's restaurant auditorium.



Alungal praised the commendable services and hard work of volunteers who helped pilgrims from all over the world to perform their rituals in ease and comfort. “The driving force behind these untiring efforts of volunteers was seeking the pleasure of God,” he said while offering all support to the Forum for its activities.



In his speech, Sheikh Abdurahman Abdullah Yousuf, chairman of Al-Fadul Freight Solutions, praised JHWF and its volunteers for exerting great efforts in serving pilgrims for the last 15 years.



“It is a unique experience to see that pilgrims, who speak hundreds of different languages and have divergences in their physical features, flock to the holy city chanting one single "Talbiyat" while responding to the invitation from God. Without any consideration of nationalities, languages, colors and other features of the pilgrims, the only concern of these volunteers is how to serve them selflessly, seeking reward from God,” he said.



Yousuf, a Saudi business leader, recalled his experiences of joining hands with the volunteers in serving the pilgrims.



“When the maiden Haj flight from Kozhikode landed at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, I was there with C.M. Kutty, Chemban Abbas and others to serve them,” he said.

       

Feroz Mullah, vice principal of New Al-Wurood International School, Sajid Parakkal, K.T.A. Muneer, and Anwar Vadakkangara also spoke on the occasion.



JHWF General Secretary Naseer Vavakkunju and Treasurer Abdurahman Wandoor presented the forum’s annual report and financial report respectively.



Umar Pattambi recited few verses from the Holy Qur’an; JHWF General Convener Sahal Thangal welcomed the gathering; and Mamadu Ponnani anchored the event.



Appreciation certificates for volunteers and mementos for various organizations were given away at the function.



JHWF is an umbrella body of 21 Keralite organizations to render voluntary service to Haj pilgrims.



Last year, it distributed more than 14,000 packets of rice soup and meals, in addition to guiding lost pilgrims and rendering various other services.