47 Muslims including Rajya Sabha MP Haji Abdul Salam felicitated

22 Feb. 2015, Imphal

Rajya Sabha MP Haji Abdul Salam recieving the award on February 20, 2015

Rajya Sabha MP of Manipur Haji Abdul Salam and 46 Manipuri Muslims achievers in different fields were felicitated at a reception ceremony held at Kudimok Community Hall, Khumidok in Imphal East District on February 20, 2015.

Rajya Sabha MP Haji Abdul Salam, Commanding Officer (CO) of 6th Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) Mohd. Firoz Khan, Battalion Commander of Manipur Home Guard Mohd. Habibullah, Principal of Jamia Azizia Islamic Girl’s School Maulana Abdul Karim Kashmi, Pradhan of Kairang Khumidok Gram Panchayat Mohd. Nurzaman (Danny) and Haji Maulana Kayamuddin graced the reception ceremony.

The felicitation function was organized by Kumidok Athletic and Sporting Club, Khumidok, a prominent Muslim sporting club of the State. The felicitation programme was organized with an aim to recognize and appreciate those Manipuri Muslims who have made rich contributions in the development of the State.

Haji Abdul Salam, who happens to be the first Muslim Member of Parliament from the State, was felicitated by conferring the “All Manipur Arts and Culture Sports Development Society Peace Prize” for his laudable contributions in the field of politics and society.

Haji Abdul Salam is one of the veteran political leaders of the State. He was elected as Member of Legislative Assembly from Wabagai Assembly Constituency, in Thoubal District, for the first time in 1980. He served as Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (RD & PR) (1997-1999) under Y. Nipamacha’s government and again as Minister for Minorities and Other Backward Classes (MOBC) and Co-operation (2002-2004) under O. Ibobi’s Government. He also served as the Chairman of Manipur State Haj Committee and Vice-President of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC). He was nominated as the member of the Parliament by the O. Ibobi led Government in 2014 after veteran Congressman Rishang Keishing completes his term of office.

Rajiv Gandhi Shiromani Award

Haji Abdul Salam’s immense contribution in the field of politics and society was acknowledged and appreciated by different bodies over the years. He was conferred “Rajiv Gandhi Shiromani Award” by the India International Friendship Society (IIFS), New Delhi in 2003 at New Delhi for “meritorious services, outstanding performance, remarkable role, achievements and contributions to the society” in commemoration of the 59th Birth Anniversary of the late former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. He was again conferred “Jewel of India Gold Award” (Certificate of Excellence) and “Gold Medal” (Certificate of Felicitation) and “Bharat Excellence Award and Gold Medal” in 2004 by the Friendship Forum of India, New Delhi.

Haji Abdul Salam was nominated as member of the Government of India Haj Goodwill Delegation-2005 by the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2005. He is the only Manipuri Muslim to be a part of the India Haj Goodwill Mission so far.

Besides the Rajya Sabha MP, 46 other Muslims who have excelled in different fields were also felicitated, which included the international and national Football players under 17 years and their parents, meritorious students and the office-bears of Khabeisoi Youth and Library Sporting Club, by presenting gifts and mementos.