Indian Consul General Sayeed Ahmed Baba, who has come to the end of his diplomatic tenure in Jeddah, spent some time talking to Saudi Gazette about his concerns for the Indian community. He also related what a wonderful time he had in Saudi Arabia and his memories of Makkah and Madina over the three years of his stay.

Baba said he is aware of the problems facing many Indian families with children who complete Grade 12 in this country; who have to send their children back home for higher studies. “At the moment it doesn’t seem feasible to open a higher education college or university here. Although the Saudi government has opened some venues, many Indian expats cannot afford the high fees of such colleges and universities. So most children have to be sent back home for higher education. I can understand the dilemma of the families because parents stay here and their young children are studying alone in India,” he said.

“But I do believe in the coming years there will be changes. Maybe in the future there will be some understanding between India and Saudi Arabia and the Indian Government will open a college or university here. In India itself the Government is actively trying to allow foreign universities and colleges to set up their branches. So Indian students who can’t go abroad or can’t afford it, can get a foreign education in India.”

Baba said he was not satisfied with his achievements while in Jeddah because there are so many things that still need to be done, including getting better teachers from India and setting up a vibrant welfare body.  He offered praise for the good work done by the Kerala bodies, which he says set a good example for the work that needs to be done.

Much also needs to be done for Haj and Umrah pilgrims, he added. “Maybe my successor will be able to accomplish it. Even if he is able to achieve 70 percent, that will be quite an achievement,” he remarked. He said his successor has about 13 years’ experience in the field. Baba said he is extremely grateful for being close to Makkah and Madina on this posting. “This was a very big posting for me, being a Muslim living so close to Makkah and Madina. Honestly, I am very grateful to Allah subhanahu-wat’alla for giving me such a chance,” he said.

He said he has realized how grateful he should be because many people in India have been praying for years to come for Haj and Umrah. He experienced this gratitude at a little mosque in India recently, when an Imam made dua after prayers. “That dua touched my heart because I had a chance to live so close to Makkah and Madinah, but I didn’t utilize the opportunity as much as I should have. I felt very uneasy because thousands of people who live here for many years have never been to Makkah and Madina. It was very touching, so I thanked Allah for giving me the chance to spend three years here,” he said.

One of his most treasured memories is seeing the Ka’ba for the first time. “I can’t describe that moment and feeling. I didn’t want to look blankly at the Ka’ba so I lowered my eyes and walked through the Bab Abdul Aziz.” He said he was “astonished” when he saw the Ka’ba. “I immediately went for prayer to thank Allah for being close to the Ka’ba. We then went to perform the first Umrah. At Maghrib time when I looked at the sky, I felt something mysterious about the sky, as if it was very different. Somehow it was very close to me. I felt I was being observed by the Almighty. The experience in Madina was very serene. When you enter the Prophet’s Mosque, it feels very peaceful and quiet and is very enjoyable,” he said.

His memories of performing the Haj in 2008 are also important to him. “We joined very late. There was no system of guidance, so it was a very tough Haj, so much learning was required and there was no time for me to learn.” Baba said he would miss a number of things in the country, including praying in the mosques in Jeddah, Ramadan which is “so unique” in this country and significant aspects of the cuisine, like Al-Baik.

He will also miss the support of the community. “We have a large population, so being in a foreign country you don’t miss things which you have back at your home. We always have cultural programs, so it is a second home for the expatriates who are living here.” He said the Consul General is an important link with the community. “Last year, the amnesty was declared for over-stayers and since then the consulate was crowded. It’s now less than before because most of them have gone.”

He thanked the local community and the Saudi authorities who were very generous and helpful and helped him during the Haj and with other initiatives. He said he is hoping now to go back and become more involved in policy-making in India after 22 years of service, and his tenth posting in the field. Baba said he would like to come back again if possible. “I would love to come again here to perform Umrah or Haj,” he said. He also thanked Saudi Gazette and other newspapers for the respect showed to him during his tenure.

Saudi Gazette