RIYADH: Mohammed Vakil, an Indian singer, performed for a gathering of Indian and Pakistani expatriates at the weekend.
Vakil sang his hit numbers, popular ghazals and some Bollywood songs during the performance, organized by the Indo-Arab Friendship Association.
He also paid tributes to music legends including Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali and Jagjit Singh at the well-attended event.
Speaking to Arab News, he said that singing for Yash Chopra’s “Veer Zaara” remains the major highlight of his Bollywood career.
He considers himself very lucky that he got to work with a legend like him, who had such a great understanding of not just filmmaking, but also of music.
Overwhelmed by the love and compassion showered on him by the music lovers, he said: “I truly appreciate it, this is the reason why I keep visiting the Kingdom.”
Those attending the program described it as a memorable event.
Manzar Khan, an Indian banker who attended the event said: “It was a very fulfilling event; the way Vakil sings full of passion and enthusiasm, has made me a fan of his ghazal singing.”
The event was moderated by Mohammad Qaiser, president of Tanzeem Hum Hindustani.
Indian singer regales Riyadh expats
Indian singer regales Riyadh expats
Winners of 27th King Salman Award for Qur’an Memorization to be crowned this week
- The awards ceremony of the men’s event will take place on Friday at the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh, the day after the winners of the women’s event are honored
- Total prize pool for the competitions, organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance between Feb. 13 and 17, is more than SR7m
RIYADH: The winners of the 27th annual King Salman bin Abdulaziz Award for the Memorization, Recitation and Interpretation of the Holy Qur’an will be honored during special ceremonies this week.
Prince Faisal bin Bandar, the governor of Riyadh Region, will attend the culmination of the men’s event, held under the patronage of King Salman, on Friday at the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The awards ceremony for the women’s event, held under the patronage of Princess Fahda Al-Hathleen, spouse of King Salman, will take place at the same venue on Thursday.
The total prize pool for the competitions, which were organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance and took place between Feb. 13 and 17, is more than SR7 million ($1.87 million). Three winners will be crowned in each of the male and female categories.
Abdullatif Al-Alsheikh, the minister of Islamic affairs, dawah and guidance, who is also the general supervisor of local and international Qur’anic competitions in the Kingdom, said the contest has become one of the most notable competitions of its kind.
