Swine Flu Dilemma

With the passing of each day lay man is more confused about the supposed to be a deadly virus.  In the current information age, lots of information is available in respect of the virus and its virulence.  Many theories have been propounded about the virus and the vaccine.  Almost all parents are worried about the health of their kids, who are back at school after a long holiday. In this time of crisis the health experts should come out with clear cut strategy to explain the real dangers of the virus, means to combat it and end the confusion. 

23/10/2009 Mohammed Sadullah Khan. 

Communal Riots

India is one of the countries having maximum number of communal riots.  The riots are usually the handi-work of politicians and the goonda elements. However the innocent people of both the communities become the victim of it.  During riots most of the personal and political scores are settled as the aggressors are sure of escaping the punishment.  A country huge as India with diverse cultures, it may not be possible to curb the tendency of friction of cultures but a stringent punishment to the perpetuators of the violence will go long way in saving the lives and properties of the innocent victims. 

Mohammed Sadullah Khan. 

Fire Prevention

The Kuwait fire incident during wedding was really unfortunate. It is being suspected that the cause of fire may be the malicious intent. Irrespective of the cause of fire had the Fire Prevention appliances were in place most of the lives could have been saved. The lack of adequate number of exit doors is also one of the major reasons for deaths. To avoid these types of incidents the premises for weddings should be adequately ventilated, tiles should be preferred instead of carpets, with sufficient number of fire exit's, kitchen should be at a safer distance from the partying area, good fire safety equipments should be available along with necessary training for safety. The guests should also be made aware of the safety facilities as a part of the Preventive measures. (17-08-2009).

Mohammed Sadullah Khan.

Bubbling Controversy

Coverage on "Burqa" seems to have overshadowed the demise of "King of Pop" in Media.  It is heartening to see the huge response in the media to the remarks made by the French President, who in his usual ignorance and unbaked curiosity has opened the Pandora's Box.  He might have never imagined the reaction to his ignorant remarks from all over the world.  For some ignorance is bliss.

The word Burqa is usually used to describe the black outer garment worn by the Muslim women.  Burqa, is preferred by many women because it is easy to wear and easy to take-out.  It is designed to adhere to the Quranic guideline of coverage for women. However it is preferable to use the word Hijab instead of Burqa. Burqa is one of the Hijaab.

Like most of the controversies and misconceptions related to Islam, which time and again erupt and give a chance to the gullible ignorant to balloon it up further.  Islamic dress code is being followed for over 1430 years and it has been prescribed in Quran when it was revealed.  Dr. Zakir Nair, one of the famous Indian Islamic Scholar, who is also famous for his verbatim quotations of various World religions,   has identified 20 of the most common mis-conceptions among non-Muslims. His presentations on the same and articles has helped many people to over-come their misunderstanding of Islam and appreciate the beauty of Islam. Few years ago he had listed the Burqa related misconception under his list at No.3. He dispels this as follows,

"Misconception # 3: Islam subjugates women in a veil.

Reply: If you look at history, to ancient civilizations, you will find that women were the oppressed people. They had no individual merit. The Babylonians used to punish the woman for her husband's mistakes. The ancient Egyptians did the same. Ancient Arabs buried their newly born daughters.

It was Islam that uplifted the status of women. It gave women rights they never had before. Surah Nissah exhorts believing men to lower their gaze if a lady is passing by. Similarly, there are exhortations for women to lower their gaze if strange men are around. The Quran also speaks about the hijab for men and women to protect the modesty. The hijab for men is to cover their bodies minimally from their navel to the knees. The hijab for women is to cover their whole bodies except for their faces and hands below their wrists. There are descriptions for a female hijab, that it should cover the endowments including head, not be tight, not be transparent, not be like the clothes of non-believers, and not be like the clothes of the other gender, etc. Women got the right to own, inherit property, and to dispose it of at will.

Let me ask you a question: Suppose two identical twin sisters are walking down a street, and one of them is dressed in revealing clothing, while the other one is wearing a hijab. Who will be boys in the street whistle at or tease: the one who is scantily dressed in a mini-skirt, or the one who is modestly attired? The answer is obvious. The hijab is designed to prevent women from being molested. It brings peace to society and prevents mischief. "

All non-Muslims should be given an opportunity to go through these fully listed misconceptions; there will be lesser number of controversies.  Media should also take care to highlight these, whenever a similar controversy erupts.

Islam as a religion gave undeniable rights to women. Burqa is not a symbol of imprisonment but it is a symbol of freedom.  Burqa, has proven to give women freedom from exploitation, harassment, subjugation and eve teasing. It elevates the women.  A vast majority of reverts are women and they have voluntarily adapted to Burqa.  The reverts Yvonne Ridley, a former Christian and Kamala Surayya, a former Hindu, both well educated women and have been fully aware of the rights and freedom of women.  These women have accepted Islam on a free will and adapted to burqa (veil) voluntarily.  No one coerced them to do so.  Islam as a religion prescribes dress code to its followers both men and women. The western societies should not imprison women with their views of freedom. The Muslim women should be given a choice of what she wants to wear in a free society.

First Saudi Insurance Symposium on 22, 23/02/2011- Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Professional Insurance Education

Mr. Mohammed Sadullah Khan, Faculty Member, Insurance Studies Unit, Institute of Banking, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia addressing the gathering of Insurance Professionals from the Insurance Industry at the First Saudi Insurance Symposium on 23/02/2011.

Mr. Mohammed Sadullah Khan of Institute of Banking with Mr. Bruce C. S. Aitken, Chief Executive Officer of ACE Arabia Insurance Company.

Mr. Mohammed Sadullah Khan, Faculty Member, Institute of Banking, addressing the queries raised by the Insurance Executives. Mr. Samy Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of Al-Ahlia Insurance Company and the Chairman of the session is beside him.

Question and Answer Session -

Ali-Al Subaihin, Chief Executive Officer of Tawuniya - commenting on the presentation of Mr. Mohammed Sadullah Khan.



Mr. Hisham Yasin, Business Development Manager making his comment on the presentation.


 

Mr. Basem Odeh, General Manager, Arabian Shield Insurance Company making his comment.

From left to right - Mr. Alfredo Soares,Senior Associate, Mercer, Mr. Tal Nazer, Managing Director, BUPA Arabia, Mr. Mohammed Sadullah Khan, Faculty Member of Institute of Banking, Mr. Samy Ali, Chief Executive Officer, Al Ahlia Insurance Company, Mr. Hisham A. Yasin, Business Development Manager of Institute of Banking

Mr. Mohammed Sadullah Khan, Faculty Member, Institute of Banking with Mr. Syed Kaleemullah Hussaini, Manager, Arab Commercial Enterprises Ltd. and Mr. I. Bader, Senior Surveyor/Manager,Arabian Inspection & Survey Co. Ltd.

1st Saudi Insurance Symposium 2011
Riyadh 22nd-23rd February, 2011
Day & Time Topic Speaker

Day 1

8:30am Registration, morning refreshments

9:00am Welcome note Mr. Jamaan Al Wagdany, Director General, IOB

9:05am Official Opening H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Alhamidy, Vice Governor , SAMA

9.15am Session 1: The Insurance Industry in the Kingdom

15 min. The existing paradigm shift - Competition vs. Survival Mr. Ali AlSubaihin, Tawuniya

15 min. The hidden challenge - Solvency margin requirements Mr. Harvey Duckers, GAD

15 min. Is merger our destiny? Saleh Alhnaki, Actuscope

30 min. Q&A Panel Discussion Panelist: Mr. Paul Adamson, AXA, Mr. Omar Bilani, Watania, Chairman: Mr. Ayman El Hout, Med Gulf

10:30am Coffee Break

10.45am Session 2: Insurance experience - Mega Projects

15 min. Aramco Experience Mr. Tariq M. Malak, Aramco.

15 min. Sabic Experience Mr. Naser Al Jarba, Sabic.

15 min. Brokers' Perspective Mr. Nabil Kokash, Aon Saudi Arabia

30 min. Q&A Chairman: Mr. Mousa Al Rubaian

12:00PM Prayer time and Coffee Break

12:30 PM Session 3: Market Regulation - Regulators' Perspective

15 min. The Transition from Regulation to Supervision Mr. Mohammed Al Shayea, SAMA

15 min. Compulsory Health Insurance / Way forward Dr. Abdullah Al Sharif, Council of Co-operative Health Insurance

15 min. Governance CMA

30 min. Q&A Chairman: Mr. Ali Al Ayed, Malath

01:45 PM Buffet Lunch

Day 2

8:30am morning refreshments

9:00am Session 4: Enterprise Risk Management Governance and Compliance

15 min. Successful Implementation of ERM in the KSA Insurance Sector Mr. James Peacock, S&P

15 min. Implementing Risk Management Governance & Compliance Mr. Mark Stephens, Milliman

15 min. Business Benefits of Compliance Mr. Basem Odeh, Arabian Shield

30 min. Q&A Chairman: Mr. Debo Ajayi, Milliman

10:15am Coffee Break

10.30am Session 5: Natural Risks

15 min. Natural Disasters - Regional trends Dr. Morten Karnuth, Munich Re

15 min. Mitigation of natural disasters Mr. Mike Barnes, McLarens Young Saudi Co. Ltd.

15 min. From Business Interruption to Business continuity - Case Study Mr. Ayman El Hout, Med Gulf

30 min. Q&A Chairman: Mr. Yassir Al Baharna, ARIG

11:45AM Prayer time and Coffee Break

12:30 PM Session 6: The Human Aspects of the Insurance Industry

15 min. Developing People in emerging market Mr. Alfredo Soares, Mercer.

15 min. The IOB's Contribution towards Professionalism Mr. Sadullah Khan, IOB

30 min. Q&A Chairman: Mr. Samy Al Ali, Al Ahlia

15 min. Wrapping & Close of Days 1&2 Facilitator: Mr.Tal Nazer, BuPa Arabia

01:45 PM Buffet Lunch

Type of Insurance Policies available in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. India and world over.

(Professional insurance education).


All risks insurance,
Automobile Insurance,
Aviation insurance,
Accidental Insurance
Business interruption insurance,
Construction insurance,
Construction All risks insurance,
Car Insurance
Casaulty Insurance,
Credit Insurance,
Credit Guarantee Insurance,
Directors and Officers Insurance,
Domestic maid insurance in saudi arabia,
Employee dishonesty insurance,
Erection insurance in saudi arabia,
Fidelity guarantee insurance in saudi arabia,
Fire insurance,
Fisheries Insurance,
Group life insurance,
General insurance,
Health insurance,
Insurance education in saudi arabia,
Liability,
Life insurance in saudi arabia,
Loss of profit Insurance,
Poultry Insurance,
Public Liability Insurance,
Plant and equipment Insurance,
Machinery insurance,
Machinery Breakdown Insurance,
Machinery all risks insurance in saudi Arabia,
Marine ,
Medical insurance in saudi arabia,
Medical malpractice insurance,
Money insurance in saudi arabia,
Motor,
Personal possession insurance,
Personal Accident Insurance,
Professional insurance education in saudi arabia,
Property insurance in saudi arabia,
Property all risks insurance,
Third party insurance in saudi arabia,
Third Party Liability Insurance,
Travel insurance in saudi arabia,
Major types of Insurances
Re-insurance in major classes,
Workmen compensation,

Umra and the Ugly virus H1N1

For over a year my family was pestering me for taking them to Mecca for Umra.  But due to various circumstances I was unable to take them for Umra.  Finally a decision was taken in late April to visit Mecca and perform Umra (popularly known as lesser Pilgrimage) in the last week of July.  

Since early June the Swine flu hype was escalating and it actually started spreading throughout the world with each and every case being reported and monitored by the World Health Organization.  This caused a flutter and nightmare in me. The swine flu had already reached the jurisdiction of Saudi Arabia.  I was more concerned visualizing the impact it may have at the holy places.  With fear in heart and faith in God, I did not want to disappoint my family members.  I went to the local transporter for booking the seats and hotel for Umra, the rates were comparatively cheap.  On enquiring about the swine flu and restrictions, I was informed that there is no problem so far.  Money was paid to the transporter and the seats were booked. 

On the day we were supposed to leave, it was reported in the Newspapers that a women who had come to perform Umra, had died of swine flu.  The news made me jittery.  Some of my colleagues feared for my visit and requested me to carry masks. I explained to them that the virus can enter our body from any source even by handling a knob at the door, touching the office desk or trolley at a super market. Finally I told them that Allah Karim.  Later on I contacted my brother, who is a Medical doctor about my visit to Mecca for Umra and the case of the Egyptian women.  He encouraged me to proceed without worry as we have come to an advanced stage of travel and explained about the types of Flu and their precautions.

With initial confidence, I was hoping for the last minute rescue by imagining that the government will cancel all the buses to Mecca or advise the pilgrims not to travel to Mecca, but nothing of that sort happened.  When we saw the bus, it was bustling with pilgrims.  Two Indian families, two Sudani families, two Pakistani families and rest of them were bachelors.  Among bachelors almost eighty percent were Pakistanis, the rest were Bangladeshis and Indians.

As the Bus started moving ahead my fear galloped and was mindful of any kind of sneeze or cough.  But fortunately in the entire journey no one sneezed or coughed.  Finally we reachedMecca.  Still my mind was acting like a surveillance camera, installed at the airports, scanning for persons with red eyes, temperature, cough or sneezing.  Fortunately this time I did not see anyone coughing or sneezing nor suffering from fever. 

The moment we stood in front of Kaaba, we were overjoyed, filled with excitement, felt fully blessed and forgot about everything related to the journey.  It was a real breathtaking experience after a long time. The feeling was liberating and pulsating. For two days we were engrossed in prayers with attendance to minimum daily needs. During our visit to Kaaba, it was being washed and the door was open, we had a rare opportunity to have a glimpse inside the Kaaba.

Our successful mission was over. Unlike in the past, I used to get flu after going to Umra, this time I did not have any symptoms of Flu. After our return, we realized the havoc caused by the virus. Day after day the virus was becoming more virulent. The spread of Swine flu really got out of control.  The WHO had decided not to count the number of affected persons. Restrictions were being imposed by certain clerics and countries in-respect of Haj and Umra. The Swine flu Pandemic was going ahead unabated with more infections and deaths being reported on daily basis. A new challenging question was lingering in our minds, whether to proceed on our annual vacation?

Mohammed Sadullah Khan is a Faculty Member and a Freelance writer based in Saudi Arabia and can be contacted at mosakhan40@gmail.com.

Time to understand Muslims

The recent statement of the mufti of Lebanon's Sunni Muslims to Pope Benedict XVI that he would consider "any attack on a Christian as an attack on all Muslims”, needs to be highlighted. This is not a bold statement but a true view of Islam.  Muslims are guided by Quran, which is the holy book of Islam and it is the most read book in the World today.  I have not come across similar statements from any other religious leaders of the world.  

The production of the film titled “Innocence of Muslims” by Nakoula Basseley Nakoula under the alias name Sam Bacile with the sole intention of provoking and inciting Muslims is highly condemnable.  Muslims love their Prophet (PBUH) more than their own selves.  Hence anything against prophet (PBUH) is bound to inflame the passions of Muslims.  Nakoula, being an Arab knew very well the reaction of Muslims to his film.  Since he made the film with bad motive, he should be convicted for premeditated Murder of innocent victims and destruction of properties throughout the world.   Along with him all the people who are associated with the film like by funding, acting and promoting should also be prosecuted. On this controversial issue the Islamic view in nutshell is very clear and the Quran clearly guides all the Muslims by its verses.  The Holy Qur’an says: “Revile not ye Those whom they call upon Besides Allah, lest They out of spite Revile Allah In their ignorance.” [Holy Qur’an 6:108].  Hence Muslims do not indulge in such acts as has been committed by this man and his friends. There may be guidance in almost all the religions of the world about not ridiculing other religions and communities, which should be highlighted and propagated to avoid such incidents in future. There is a greater responsibility of the religious leaders and community leaders in educating their flocks about the mischief mongers on the fringes, out to cause trouble in the society. 

On the violence post movie, again there is a clear-cut guidance from Quran. No amount of unjust policies of America, no amount of discrimination and no amount of hate mongering will ever allow the Killing of any innocent human being as it is against the teachings of Islam.  According to the Qur’an, killing any person without a just cause is as big a sin as killing the whole humanity and saving the life of one person is as good deed as saving the whole humanity. This beautiful guidance is the best guidance anyone can produce on protecting the lives of human beings.   If all the humanity follows this beautiful guidance then the whole World will become a better place to live in.  

No doubt there has been demonization of Islam and Muslims, even-though the Muslims are the worst victims of terrorism and discrimination throughout the World.  Even the common Islamic words like Jihad and Kafir has been misused to create hatred and resentment among non-Muslims.   The root cause of all the major problems is moral corruption and not due to any religion. The energy spent on hating a particular religion or community should be spend on understanding that religion in right perspective or at-least in understanding own religion or ideology. One of the good features of human beings is that more than ninety nine percent of the human beings behave humanely irrespective of their religious or ideological affiliations, unless provoked and manipulated. Understanding the true Islamic view will dispel many myths surrounding the Islamic terminology, Islam and Muslims. It is the duty of religious heads, preachers, community leaders, different governmental and non-governmental organizations and media to understand the problem and address the issues causing provocation, manipulation, friction and declining moral values in the world. 

By Mohammed Sadullah Khan, based in Riyadh is a Faculty Member and Freelance Writer and can be reached  at mosakhan40@gmail.com