Bhatkal: The General Secretary of the Bhatkal Muslim Khaleej Council (BMKC), popularly known as Rabita Society, Ateequr Rahman Muniri, said that more than 5,000 Bhatkali residents working and doing business in the Gulf send back over ₹1,000 crore in remittances annually, which has played a pivotal role in the town’s prosperity and development.
He was addressing a friendly get-together organised by Rabita Society at the historic Maulana Bungalow in Bhatkal, attended by taluk and district officials, leaders from both Hindu and Muslim communities, and members of the media. Muniri noted that Bhatkal’s prosperity is deeply tied to remittances from the Gulf. He recalled that nearly five decades ago, locals migrated to Gulf countries for livelihood and formed Jamaats to remain connected. These Jamaats laid the foundation for the establishment of the BMKC in 1991, a vision initiated by the late community leader S.M. Syed Khaleelur Rahman. The council was later registered locally as Rabita Society.
Muniri emphasized that Rabita Society has worked since its inception to promote Hindu-Muslim harmony. He added that although the get-together was traditionally held every year, it was being revived this year after an eight-year gap due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other reasons. He urged the younger generation to play an active role in strengthening peace, brotherhood, and social cohesion.
The programme began with a recitation of the Qur’an and its Kannada translation. Local journalist and President of the Bhatkal Working Journalists’ Association, M.R. Manvi, presented an overview of Rabita’s services. Yunus Qazia, president of the century-old educational organisation Anjuman Hami-e-Muslimeen and owner of Maulana Bungalow, along with Inayatullah Shabandri, president of the century-old social organisation Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem, raised public issues before the officials. Shabandri also criticised sections of the outside media for misrepresenting the Muslim community of Bhatkal, while praising local journalists for their fair reporting. He stressed that Muslims and non-Muslims in Bhatkal have long lived together in peace and harmony.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Uttara Kannada, Sajid Mulla, who attended as chief guest, praised Rabita Society’s contributions. He acknowledged the talent and potential of the Nawayath community but noted their lack of representation in government jobs. He encouraged youth to seek careers in government service to better serve society. Bhatkal in-charge Assistant Commissioner Kavya Rani, District Forest Officer Yogesh, Rural Police Inspector Manjunath Lingareddy, and social worker Rajesh Nayak also addressed the gathering, commending Rabita’s efforts and the unity of Bhatkal’s people.
Dr. Savita Kamath, in-charge of Bhatkal Government Hospital, expressed concern that separate schools and societies for Hindu and Muslim children limited their interaction. She criticised certain media channels for spreading negative propaganda against Bhatkal, which she said was damaging communal harmony.
Dr. Suresh Nayak, Chairman of the Bhatkal Education Trust, recalled his longstanding association with the Muslim community, describing these ties as a hallmark of Bhatkal’s social fabric. He noted that Nawayath girls are excelling in higher education but their skills are not being fully harnessed. He suggested that Rabita Society design special initiatives to empower highly educated women for the greater benefit of society.
Congress leader Bina Vaidya, daughter of District In-charge Minister Mankal Vaidya, described communal harmony as Bhatkal’s greatest strength, while warning that some elements were attempting to disturb it. She said that the unity of Bhatkal’s people has frustrated such divisive efforts. She also assured that the concerns raised at the event would be conveyed to her father.
The event was presided over by Rabita Society President Umar Farooq Musbah, while convener Qamar Sada delivered the vote of thanks. The gathering saw active participation from Gulf-based Jamaat leaders, social activists, government officials, panchayat members, and representatives of educational institutions, all of whom praised Rabita Society’s efforts in promoting unity and social progress.