Name
Irfan Mohammed
City
Saudi Arabia
Country
Jeddah
Interests
Occupation
Writer
Joined TOI Contributor
Biography
I am a freelance writer for a leading media house in Saudi Arabia. I write extensively about NRIs in the Kingdom and have covered several humanitarian stories that touched the hearts of the people. I have been focusing on Indian workers, bringing out a variety of news articles and features with extensive research containing multiple sources. Although I specialize on issues affecting the Indian community, I closely monitor economic developments and other aspects in India-Saudi relations.
Articles posted By Irfan Mohammed (TOI Contributor)
The National flag was hoisted half-mast at Indian consulate in Jeddah and at the embassy in Riyadh as India observed a one day-state mourning on Tuesday. NRIs from Tamil Nadu and Tamil community organisations have been conducting condolence meetings in different parts of the region.
NRIs are allowed to carry up to Rs 25,000 outside the country in cash and many keep some cash handy for use at the airport or while travelling to their native places in India.
The theme of the three-day conference was "education for peace and development", and saw participation from 35 heads of Indian schools alongwith other senior academic staff from across Saudi Arabia.
Seven NRIs were felicitated by the Indian consulate for their role in Najran and Jizan - towns bordering war-torn Yemen.
Nouf Al-Marwaai established Arab Yoga Foundation in 2010 and has been promoting Yoga in the Gulf region.
Several NRI volunteers of some of NRI organizations rendered their services to Haj pilgrims in the holy sites of Mecca in Saudi Arabia during the Haj that concluded recently. India Fraternity Forum (IFF) is one dedicated organization to offer volunteer services in the hazy heat of Mecca during the Haj. Pilgrims not only from India but all over the world benefited from their selfless dedicated services.
An academician from Saudi Arabia, the only one from the Gulf region, was recently conferred the prestigious Best Teacher Award by the government of India.
The Indian consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia celebrated Vishwa Hindi Diwas (World Hindi Day) with enthusiasm on September 14 at the auditorium hall of the consulate. This was part of the efforts by the consulate to further promote interest in the Hindi language in Saudi Arabia.
The expatriate Malayali community from Kerala, the largest ethnic bloc of Indians in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries in the region, celebrated the Onam festival on Friday.The ten-day harvest festival is celebrated by the Malayali community irrespective of religious beliefs and social status.
The NRI community in Gulf countries has been waiting to know the prospects of newly announced National Pension System (NPS) of India for NRIs.
The Indian community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrated the country’s 69th Independence Day on Saturday with zeal and fervor.
India opened new chapter in defense ties with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the maiden visit of a delegation of Indian Air Force there.
The Islamic cities of Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia are witnessing an influx of millions of pilgrims not only during the Haj season, but also during the holy month of Ramadan.
International Yoga Day was part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to popularize the ancient Indian practice across the world including Arabian Gulf countries.
Expatriates from Telangana state comprise the second largest block of Indians in the Gulf countries - most of them being blue collar workers.
The Indian naval ships play a prominent role in naval diplomacy to enhance bilateral relations, and almost every year Indian navy ships visit Gulf countries as part of goodwill visits.
Passion and dedication are two drives that not only push one to reach certain goal but to strive for higher excellence that will continue until satisfaction is achieved. An Indian academic passionate about falconry has carved a niche for himself in Saudi Arabia where falcons have a pride of place in Arab national heritage.
The maiden national level Kabaddi tournament was held recently in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, providing a new dimension to the popularity of India’s rural game.
Low incomes, a diffident visa status and a lack of higher education facilities in Gulf countries are forcing many gulf-based NRIs to keep their families back home in India, but it bothers them a lot as their children keep growing.
NRI scouts and Guides from different Indian community-run schools in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated in the three-day national camp held recently. Scouting is part of curriculum of all Indian international schools in Saudi Arabia.
NRI theatre lovers in Saudi Arabia have expressed concern over the dying art of theatre during a recent discussion titled “The drama begins with the next bell” by the Riyadh-based cultural organisation, IDAM.
The TAJ – Telugu Association of Jeddah- that represents the two Telugu-speaking states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in Jeddah, recently conducted an Islamic Quiz and Quran reading competition for children of both states on Friday.
Arabic and Persian are important for India, as over 60 percentage of Indian trade is involved with countries that speaking mainly Arabic, said Zafar Sareshwala, chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad.
Overcoming her grief over the passing away of her mother, Riyadh-based NRI schoolgirl Arya Girish Kumar mustered up the willpower to return alone to Saudi Arabia to complete her exams, only to fulfil her mother's last wish.
The 8th Asian Film Festival is currently being held in Jeddah and will continue till March 13th, featuring a film each from every Asian country.
As hundreds of kindergarten Indian students get set to begin their first year in school next month, many families in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia are upset simply because they are not lucky enough to find their wards' names in the list of successful candidates following the lottery draw held by school to sanction admissions.
