Dubai: The ‘Sahebaan UAE’ family gathering was held in a grand manner at the Amity School grounds in Al Qusais, Dubai, on Saturday. The event brought together more than a thousand people from the Sahebaan community, which mainly includes Urdu-speaking Muslims from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. It was an evening of celebration, recognition, and bonding, as community members gathered to honour achievements and spend time with one another.
One of the major highlights of the gathering was the presentation of the ‘Sahebaan Excellence Awards’ to individuals who have excelled in different fields. The awards were handed over by well-known personalities, including businessman and chairman of the Hidayat Group, Hidayatullah Abbas, Dubai-based businessman and owner of Nash Engineering, K.S. Nisar Ahmed, and ‘Sahebaan UAE’ director H.M. Afroze Assadi.
Among those honoured was Mohammad Akram, founder and chairman of Abu Dhabi-based ‘Al Sitara Contracting,’ who received the ‘Sahebaan Business Excellence Award’ for his contributions to the business sector. In the field of sports, Karkala’s Nasir Syed, an international Superbike racing champion and owner of DSBK Superbike Racing Company, was given the ‘Sahebaan Sports Excellence Award.’
The late Professor Muzaffar Hussain Assadi, a respected scholar and thinker, was posthumously awarded the ‘Sahebaan Academic Excellence Award.’ His brother, Sajjad Assadi, received the honour on his behalf. In literature, writer and poet Irshad Moodbidri was recognized with the ‘Sahebaan Literary Excellence Award,’ which was collected by his son.
Abu Dhabi-based social workers Mohammad Asif and Sahar Mohammad Asif were awarded the ‘Sahebaan Community Service Excellence Award’ for their dedication to social causes. Their son, Ahad, accepted the award on their behalf.
Apart from these recognitions, the event also celebrated the achievements of students who had excelled in academics. The ‘Sahebaan Merit Award’ was given to students who scored above 90% in their examinations. Among those from the UAE, Faiz Anam (94.2%), Mohammad Rayaan (92.6%), and Mohammad Umair Suvaid Khan (90.8%) were felicitated for their SSLC exam results.
In the second-year pre-university exams, Muskan Fatima stood out as the Gulf topper in the commerce stream with an impressive 98.6% and was honoured at the event. Other high scorers, including Juveria Firoz (97.8%), Siham Akbar Ali (93.4%), Mohammad Rafaan (92.8%), and Hiba Altaf Salah (92%), were also recognized.
Young talents in sports were not left behind, as Mohammad Aiman, who excelled in the 4×4 100-meter relay, and Mohammad Aiz, associated with DOFA Football Association, were also honoured.
The gathering also took time to appreciate the contributions of senior members of the community. Businessmen and well-wishers such as Hidayatullah Abbas, K.S. Nisar Ahmed, and H.M. Afroze Assadi were presented with mementoes as a token of appreciation. Their contributions to the community were highlighted through speeches by Suhail Kudroli, Altaf Khalife, and Mohammad Samiullah.
The evening was not just about awards—it was a celebration filled with cultural performances and activities, especially for children. The ‘Prince and Princess’ dress-up competition for kids under ten was a major attraction. There were performances of Indian patriotic songs and traditional Arabic dances, adding to the festive atmosphere.
A short documentary about ‘Sahebaan’ was screened on a large LED display, giving the audience insights into the community’s history, values, and achievements. The program began with a welcome speech by Altaf M.S., followed by a soulful kirath recitation by Mohammad Faiz and Fazil Rahil Ali. The event was hosted by Hisrar Tallani, who had specially flown in from Mangalore for the occasion.
The children’s programs were coordinated by Riiha Altaf (Prince and Princess competition), Heena Kausar (Indian Patriotic Dance), Fauzia Rahil (Arabic Dance), and Fauzia Shah (Dua segment).
The success of the event was made possible by the tireless efforts of the organizing committee, which included members like Altaf M.S., Ajmal Mohammad, Altaf Khalife, Mohammad Samiullah, Suhail Kudroli, Asif Mohammad Hussain, Sameer Sharif, Nayeem Khan, Abdul Ahad, and Faizan Khateeb. Among the women organizers, Parveen Assadi, Sahar Asif, and Reena Altaf played an important role.
