On the evening of Thursday, May 1st, the Red Sea Tamil Society in Jeddah marked Labour Day with a vibrant musical and cultural celebration at the Sharafiya Summer Rose Hall. The event commenced with the Tamil Thai Vazhthu (Tamil anthem), followed by the national anthems of India and Saudi Arabia. A one-minute silence was also observed in honour of the Indian citizens who tragically lost their lives in Pahalgam.
The event featured distinguished guests, including Dr. Revathi Balu, who shared valuable insights on medical and health-related topics, and Dr. Hemalatha Mahalingam, who delivered an inspiring speech on Labour Day, emphasizing the significance of hard work and dedication. As a token of gratitude and respect, the Red Sea Tamil Society’s organizing team honoured both guests with traditional shawls and floral bouquets during a warm welcome ceremony.
The event further captivated the audience with insightful awareness presentations, brought to life through striking visuals that left a profound impression.
The celebration included special recognitions for two distinguished individuals. Mr. Sikandar of Tasty Food Catering, whose inspiring journey from hard work to successful entrepreneurship served as a testament to the Labor Day spirit, was presented with a commemorative memento. The event also paid tribute to acclaimed singer Nooh Bheemapalli, who received special honours for his artistic contributions.
Mrs. Sreetha Anilkumar, whose passion for dance knows no bounds, captivated the gathering by transcending borders and language barriers through her vibrant cultural dance performances. Her artistry served as a powerful bridge, fostering deeper connections and mutual respect among people of diverse backgrounds, beautifully highlighting the universal language of dance as a tool for unity. The event featured enthusiastic participation from more than 70 school children who presented a variety of cultural performances. Each young performer was recognized for their contribution, receiving a certificate, medal, and gift during a special ceremony where parents joined them on stage. The program attracted an audience of over 300 attendees. A particularly memorable moment came when Ms. Disha Mohan, daughter of teacher Sangeetha Mohan, earned special appreciation for her beautiful recitation of Quranic verses.
The celebration came alive with non-stop entertainment, featuring vibrant music and captivating performances that kept the audience enthralled from 8 PM until early hours. The six-hour cultural extravaganza saw attendees dancing and singing along as talented artists kept the energy high throughout the night.
The event was graced by numerous notable personalities from Jeddah’s cultural and professional circles:
Community Leaders:
• Ramana Sankar, Perarasu, and Ahmed Basha (Jeddah Tamil Sangam)
• Luna Anwar, Noorul Ameen, and Rafiq Jafar (Mepco Organization)
• Sharif (Senthamizh Welfare Forum)
• C.M. Ahmed Sahib
Artists and Performers:
• Playback singer Mumtaz
• Abdul Latheef (singer)
• Nawaz Bheemapalli, Ramya Bruce, Sameer, Fine, Soman, Razak, and Mustafa (Ceylon Music Group)
• Various Tamil and Malayalam singers who performed multilingual repertoire
Media and Academia:
• Hasan Kondatti and Lulu Media team
• Adam Abul Hasan (Jeddah Tamil Orator)
• Ramachandran (debate speaker)
• Guru (International Indian School)
• Sangeetha Mohan, Visalatchi, Ekappan, Jayakumar, Sasikumar (teachers)
• Sritha Arun Kumar (Kerala School teacher and choreographer)
• Simi and Begam Kathija (Music Lovers)
The ceremony included an awards distribution for participating students, with Grade 11 International Indian School Jeddah student Farhan among the recipients who received medals, certificates, and commemorative gifts.
Adding a cultural touch to the Labour Day celebration, Red Sea Tamil Society organizer Sadiq delivered a poignant poetry recitation specially composed for the occasion, highlighting the significance of workers’ contributions.
The Labour Day celebration was skilfully hosted and coordinated by Tanjai Lion Zahir, with seamless execution managed by a dedicated team of organizers including Ghulam Maideen, Johra Ghulam, Naresh and Pooja Naresh, Sadiq, Irfan, Rayees, Abbas, Julfi, Farooq, Sagubar, Sadiq, Ilakkiya, and Nooh Bheemapalli.
Guests enjoyed evening snacks and tea upon arrival, followed by dinner service, ensuring everyone was well catered for throughout the memorable celebration. The thoughtful hospitality and flawless coordination contributed significantly to making this Labour Day event truly special.
