The Indian community living in the Kingdom observed the 22nd annual “Black Day” on Saturday, Dec. 6, which marks the anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Mosque in 1992 by a group of Hindu extremists.
The India Fraternity Forum (IFF) organized a public program entitled, “Lest We Forget Babri Masjid” to mark the anniversary of the tragic event.
Speaking at the event, Anwar Khan, secretary of the IFF Andhra Pradesh chapter in Riyadh said: “It was not an assault on a mosque but Indian democracy. The crime was committed by a fanatic mob led by some political leaders. The day reminds us of the gross injustice committed against the minority community of India.”
Syed Ali, IFF president for northern states, said: “The matter has remained difficult for a long time and this is an example of denied justice in the secular republic of India,” adding that the then Premier Narshimha Rao described Dec. 6, 1992, as “a shameful day for India” and promised that his government would rebuild the Babri Mosque on the same site where it was located, but this has never happened.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Quaiser, president of “Tanzeem Hum Hindustani” said: “The demolition of Babri Mosque is largely responsible for dividing India on religious grounds for the purpose of voting politics by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as the event was followed by communal violence that involved the killing of hundreds of Muslims across India.”
Akhtaru Islam, president of the Middle East NRI association, termed the demolition of Babri Mosque as “an assault on the secular democracy of India by a fundamentalist mob, which were allowed by the government of the time to go on a rampage.”
“The communal riots that erupted after the demolition of the historic mosque was an assault on the secular fabric of modern India that was thrown into jeopardy by fundamentalists,” he said.
Mohammad Javid, central region secretary of the Indian Social Forum (ISF) said: “Only the rebuilding of the mosque on the same site would serve justice and restore faith of millions of Indians, including both Muslims and non-Muslims.”
Indian expats remember Babri Mosque tragedy
Indian expats remember Babri Mosque tragedy
Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat
MUSCAT: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Oman’s Foreign MinisterSayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al-Busaidi on Monday.
They reviewed bilateral relations between their nations and ways to enhance and develop them across various fields. Additionally, they discussed regional and international developments.
The ministers co-chaired the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council in the Omani capital, Muscat, with the participation of the heads of the Council’s subsidiary committees and the two heads of the Council’s General Secretariat teams.
The meeting comes as an affirmation of the keenness of Saudi and Omani leaders to strengthen ties and advance them toward greater prosperity for both nations.
In his remarks during the meeting, Prince Faisal affirmed that gathering builds on the previous council meeting, held last year in AlUla, and on its positive and fruitful outcomes within the framework of the approved recommendations and initiatives.
He stressed the importance of continuing the work of the council’s subsidiary committees to complete the necessary procedures to implement the remaining initiatives, and of the General Secretariat’s role in follow-up and in addressing any challenges that may hinder implementation.
He also underscored the importance of developing and enhancing trade relations, stimulating investment, and strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors.
He also praised the ongoing work to establish and launch the Coordination Council’s electronic platform, which aims to connect all committee work and initiatives to facilitate follow-up on the Council’s progress.
Al-Busaidi affirmed in his remarks the qualitative progress in relations between the two countries and the notable development witnessed across numerous sectors toward achieving economic integration and enhancing intra-trade and joint investments.
The Omani foreign minister also highlighted deeper cooperation in the security and judicial fields, as well as the cultural and tourism sectors, noting the advanced and continuous political cooperation, consultation, and coordination on regional and international issues.
