Friday Forum Kuwait Alumni

Friday Forum, a socio cultural organization based in State of Kuwait, are actively engaged in various humanitarian activities including scholarship, medical care, charity, support of many Indian NGO’s apart from their socio-cultural activities. An organization started over three decade ago, by now have many of their members retired from Kuwait and/or relocated back to Kerala or elsewhere. To connect those like minded members who left Kuwait, an Alumni of Friday Forum, Friends of Friday Forum (FFF), was started 2 years back and a committee was initiated to foresee connecting the members across Kerela and elsewhere who have relocated from Kuwait.

FFF have planned a get together and finally it was materialized on the 9th and 10th of December 2023 in Sterling Resort, Alleppey which was attended by over 52 participants, constituting members and families, from Mahi to Trivandrum in Kerala and participants from Kuwait as well as Dubai. The get together program was organized under the leadership of Mansoor, Nabeer AK, Harris Aydeed who have done a wonderful job in the last two months setting up the team and venue making it a memorable gathering of those ex FF members. Senior members like Salim, Salam, Azeemuddin, PK Jamal, Abdul Salah, Mohammed Kutty, Hassan Thikkodi, Sirajudeen, Asharf Aydeed, EK Rafeeq, Mohd Hilal, Ali Matra, Saifudeen, Muddar Kannu, Shouwkath Cherupulashery attended fromaround Kerela while Dr Amir, Dr Thasneem, Dr Sajna, Afzal Ali attended from Kuwait as well as Dr Raoof from Dubai. I was also a guest to this get together with my son, and had a very nice and memorable time together 

The get together included some program including sharing the members and spouses Kuwait and post Kuwait experiences followed by some very noteworthy games organized by Nawaz Dawood and Ashraf AK with their wife’s, which made the overall get together a more unforgettable gathering. Saifudeen, after a gap of 15 years, sung a very nice song to keep all very engaged. FFF President Mohammed Kutty started the functions.

A house boat cruise with lunch was sponsored by Nishad Azeem from Qatar, son of Azeemuddeen which was an attraction of the overall get together. The programs concluded by a naseeha from PK Jamal, a regular event in any FF events without which the FF program is incomplete. This was followed by an evening tea/coffee in resort, organized by the mighty Dr Amir due to his great connection across the Globe. One thing missed to inform was the lunch on 9th December, which was arranged in Taaza Restaurant, co-owned by Nizam Siraj from Oman, son of Sirajudeen who offered a handsome discount. The success of this event have led to announcement of similar gathering with Kuwait crowd also, during August 3/4 which will be coordinated by Mohammed Hilal and Subair.

May Allah bless all those who helped to make this event enjoyable and memorable Aameen 

Dr. Mohamed Ali Esa 

European Travel

My son Mansoor was calling me many times when they visited European countries I was not interested mainly because my wife Subaida was not well . Now he is asking me to join with him and family to Ireland via UK. My grand son Yousuf and family settled in Ireland. My wife is no more so I decided to go and my son applied for visa to travel by end of Sept 2023. 

We all got visas for UK/Ireland and trying for tickets for 27th from Nedumbassery Cochin to UK and then to Ireland after 2 days in London 

Tickets reserved for 27th September 2023 to go to London and  after two days stay there to go to Dublin Ireland on 30th and return to Cochin on 6th October in Itihad Airways 

Left Cochin on 27th first to Aboodabi and then to London in London Yousuf was waiting and we all came to our temporary residence arranged by Yousuf

On 28th we had sight seeing including London Eye boating Cruise and other important places prayed magrib in a small Mosque nearby and dinner in an Indian restaurant Kishmish. On 29th we had good break fast in Popina Restaurant in Oxford street did some shopping. My brothers grand son Ahamed who is studying in UK joined us performed Juma namas  in Mayfare Islamic Centre and had lunch in Sofra restaurant in Bond street and returned tired to our residence . Ahamed left for his hostel

On 30th by 12 all left London to Dublin the capital of Ireland and arrived by 1.30 pm and taking a taxi we reached the temporary residence.  It was drizzling and temperature 16 .Accommodation arranged by Yousuf good all had lunch. We went for magrib to a neighbouring big Mosque met a relative there. Returned after food and purchases.

On 1st October we all went to the city by bus visited Musium castle exhibition and had boating cruise. Returned after food and purchases. South Indian Dinner arranged by Yousuf brought home. Ireland people called Irish are very good helpful and smiling. They keep the city clean and never cheat anyone. 

On 2nd October we went to St. Stephens green park and shopping centre purchased certain items and had food. The park is very clean and amazingly greenish. Public transport buses and trams are very regular. Many use bicycle here. All are highly disciplined and truthful 

Being tired I didn't go out on 3rd. I remained in our temporary flat and Yousuf wife Sadiya prepared lunch and kept. All went to the neighbouring gardens. Here even our flat is surrounded by nice trees. Went for magrib in the neighbouring big Mosque 

We had a wonderful experience on 4th October in Powerscote Estate with beautiful gardens, lakes, water falls and castle. We have never seen such a big garden with lots of trees and flowers. We were wondering how nice will be the garden in Heaven in that case. May Allah bless us all  to enjoy Heaven with gardens Aameen. We left after lunch from AVOCA CAFE inside the park

Our relative Nias and family visited us and had dinner 6thwith us 

On 5th October we all assembled in Yousuf house had lunch and then visited the biggest Mall Blancherst Town centre did some purchases and returned. Dinner ordered from outside 

We left Dublin on 6th October and reached Cochin after a transit in Aboodabi by early morning on 7th. That was a tiresome travel and all were exhausted so took rest

Though I have gone to many Gulf countries ,This was my first visit to European countries. Among the countries I visited I liked Dublin with self disciplined people good environment and discipline 

Alhamdulillah I am thankful to Allah to make me see the blessings of Allah in two European countries also through Mansoor. May Allah give more barkat and health to Mansoor and his family Aameen 

About me

Some of the blessings that Allah gave me with his Mercy.  I am thankful to Allah for all His blessings 

Got admission to Mechanical Engineering in College of Engineering Trivandrum in the Merit seat in 1959

Received Govt of India Merit cum means Scholarship for 4 years of Engg study

Dr. Fierison of the University of Wisconson invited me to USA when I secureed 1st in Gas Dynamics which he handled on an exchange program. I could not go due to some family problems. 

But I then Got direct admission to 2nd year of M.Tech in IIT Madras  in 1969. Completed M.Tech in 1970

The project I did was design Fabrication and testing of a Radial Blower. It is still working there for Research 

Got  admission to PhD in IIT Bombay in the Quality improvement Programme of the Govt of India with salary stipent and subsidised furnished flat and completed defence in March 1979. My family also with me then.

Could guide students for making a Robot with the assistance of ISRO in 1987

Became expert member for selecting Engineers for Kerala Public Service commission and Kerala Minerals and Metals

Became member of Board of studies in Engineering and Faculty of Engineering of Kerala University 

Became Board of Studies member ib Engineering of MG University 

Was member of the Governing body of TKMCE for one year

I was one among the 5 members who set up computer lab in TKMCE 

Though I never went to foreign countries for studies, I was taught by following foreigners in IITs on exchange program 

Germans

Americans

Australian 

Russian  and

British   Alhamdulillah

Handled introduction of computers and Computer Programming for the faculty including Principal of TKMCE and faculty of Muscat Technical Industrial College Oman 

My son got admission in merit seat for Engineering 

My daughter got married in a good place 

Got senior faculty in Muscat Technical Industrial College for 5 years

My HOD Dr. Derrick Hewitt and office Head Valeed came to Airport to receive me

Derrick personally helped to get visa for my daughter . Derricks wife used to visit our house and remain with my daughter 

My son got a job in Muscat

I could perform well in teaching Arabs in Muscat 

I visited with family Muscat soudi Dubai Kuwait Qatar and Aboodabi

Was guest faculty of Cochin University for Naval Architecture and Ship Technology course  for 2 years

Could work for 2 years in National College Tvm as Dean Academic Affairs

Enjoyed my job as Principal Younus College of Engineering Kollum for 3 years. I got wonderful support and encouragement from students staff and management there

My grand son got employed in Sweden 

Another grand son in Ireland now

I have 12 grand children and 8 great grand children 

Alhamdulillah I could perform 3 Hajj and an Umra with my wife one Umra alone and another with my son Farook

In Kuwait I could do some dawa and consultation

Alhamdulillah I could make a visit to 2 European countries London and Ireland with the help and support of my son Mansoor during Sept/Oct 2023. My grand son Yousuf and family who are in Ireland were with us throughout 

I could do some social service in Bombay while doing my PhD, in Quilon when I was working and in Cochin after retirement 

Alhamdulillah I am fully satisfied in my life

May Allah make my ending good Aameen

Dr. Mohamed Ali Esa 

Food habits in Islam

Islam permits us to take halal food and drinks but it shouldn't be excessive. The earning should be halal and food should be halal and pure. Sura Aaraf instructs this. According to a hadees Rasool SA instructs to take 1/3 of our stomach with food 1/3 with water and remaining empty for easy digestion. Overeating and wasting prohibited. 

Before we start eating wash our hands and gargle. Start eating by sitting and telling Bismillah. Eat slowly looking at the food and when we finish say Alhamdulillah. Plate should be cleaned with fingers and lick the fingers. Wash our hands and gargle.

Rasool SA used to take light dinner after magrib and avoid talking after Isha

Do not take opposite food when we go for patties or otherwise. Always realise that there are many who have no food. Feeding poor is an act of ibadaa. May Allah bless us to be moderate in eating halal food and share our blessings with others  Aameen 

Dr. Mohamed Ali Esa