The Memons with the Malaysian Ambassador HE Prof Dr. Omar
Many a people just come and leave without being noticed or leaving any impression of any significant kind. However there is one couple in the Pakistani community in Riyadh that can rightly be termed as iconic personalities � not because of their looks, position in the society or anything similar but because of the service that they render for their Pakistani community. Dr. Mansour Memon and Dr. Erum Qalbani � both medical doctors by profession – is a loving couple. Both have a pleasing personality with friendly and smiling demeanor. They are talented, gifted, kind, generous, and a thoroughbred & sedate gentleman and gentlewomen.
It is best to describe them both as The Memons � possessing the best virtues of the Pakistanis in them and truly representing & portraying the soft image of Pakistan.
The Memons belong from Hyderabad of Sindh province in the south of Pakistan. Dr. Manosur is the son of an illustrious father � G.M. Memon – who has the honor of remaining at the top of the bureaucratic helms in Pakistan � for decades together � including having been to the top position as the Chief Secretary of the Government of Sindh.
Dr. Mansour and Dr. Erum rank amongst the few community leaders that can be said to be best managers of their time because of the fact that they are able to take out time from their busy schedule for the service of their community in Riyadh. Both are seen to be forthcoming and helpful whenever there is a need for them to participate in a campaign for the community welfare. They have played vital roles in fund-raising campaign for the flood affected poor people in Pakistan � in 2011 and 212 – under the aegis of the Embassy and the Ambassador of Pakistan. On several occasions Dr. Mansour � supported by his wife � has been instrumental in mobilizing the Pakistani community in extending help & assistance to the needy and disadvantaged. In short he is very active socially and always ready to participate & contribute his mite in anything to do with helping those who are in need of help.
However, one important and by far the most significant trait in them both is their extraordinary public relation ability. It is quite commendable to note that they have been able to cultivate good relationships with the international community in Riyadh � especially with the members of the diplomatic corps from the foreign missions in Riyadh. Dozens of diplomats from the foreign missions in Riyadh are seen to be delighted in their company who attend the luncheon & dinner receptions thrown in their honor by them and who also invite him and his family in return.
During one such luncheon gathering at Novotel Hotel in Riyadh, during this weekend, about a dozen or so Ambassadors and their spouses from foreign missions were invited. Khaled Al-Maeena � Editor-in-Chief of Saudi Gazette – was also amongst the invitees.
During and after the lunch Saudi Gazette took the opportunity to record the opinions of these honorable invitees and this is what they had to say about The Memons;
H.E. Jamal Shamayleh � Ambassador of Jordan � said that he has known Dr. Mansour Memon
and his wife Dr. Erum for more than 2 years now. He said it was a great honor for him to have been invited by this couple for this luncheon on such a wonderful and pleasant day. �Dr. Mansour and his wife are excellent couple and they are very sociable and friendly�, Ambassador Jamal added
H.E. Timothy A. Lenderking � Deputy Chief of Mission at Embassy of the United States of America – thanked Dr. Mansour and his wife for inviting him at this lunch. He paid respect to the departing Ambassador of Malaysia � Prof. Dr. Omar � and mentioned that he would miss him. �I wish Professor all the best and I thank Dr. Mansour for inviting me today�, DHM Tim remarked.
H.E. Kodero Jiro � Ambassador Japan – mentioned that he has known Dr. Mansour and his wife Dr. Erum for quite sometimes now. �I wish to continue our relation and cooperation with each other�, Ambassador Kodero commented.
H.E. Mogamat Sadick Jaffer � Ambassador of South Africa � remarked that it was a pleasure to attend this lunch today and meet new people. He added that Dr Mansour and his family is a good friend of him and his family. �Down side of diplomatic life is that we meet new people and then we have to leave. But I am sure we will continue to remain friends with Dr Mansour and family�, Ambassador Mogamat added.
H.E. Lawrence Anderson � Ambassador of Singapore � mentioned that he was very glad to be meeting with new friends and that it was all because of the courtesy of Dr. Mansour.. �I will miss Prof. Dr. Omar as he would be leaving soon. However I am glad that I would be able to meet Prof. in Malaysia which is so close to my country Singapore”, Ambassador Lawrence mentioned.
H.E. Krishnamoorty � Ambassador of Sri Lanka said that he met Dr. Mansour and his wife some years ago and that he was glad to have found this couple very friendly and hospitable. He thanked Dr. Mansour for the gift of mango from Pakistan. �I must add here the mangoes were as sweet as you are and like all other Pakistanis�, he added.
H.E. Jarno Syrjala � Ambassador of Finland – said that he was thankful to Dr Mansour who always provided opportunity via such luncheon to meet old friends and make some new friends also. �I know him and his wife for 3 years now�, he mentioned.
H.E. Adam Hassan � Ambassador of Maldives – thanked Dr. Mansour and his wife for inviting to this beautiful lunch. �My wife and I know Dr. Mansour and his wife for two and a half years now. We appreciate the couple for all the good works that they are doing for their country and for their community�, Ambassador Adam remarked.
H.E. Prof. Dr. Omar � Ambassador of Malaysia � mentioned that he was glad to be friends with Dr. Mansour and his wonderful family. �I can recall when I attended the wedding of Mansour and Erum just a few days after my arrival as Ambassador here and can remember my kids so happy to be at their place and playing there�, Ambassador Omar mentioned. He also added that he was glad to be with his old friends and some new ones also. �I am especially glad to have met Khaled Al-Maeena of Saudi Gazette. I have known him since long and I have great respect for him�, Ambassador Omar added.
Group Captain Ibrahim Asad � Naval & Air Attach� at the Embassy of Pakistan � complimented Dr. Mansour for this wonderful get together. He said he was very happy to meet new people. �I am especially glad to have met Khaled Al-Maeena who is also the recipient of highest Pakistani civil award of Sitara-e-Imtiaz � Star of Honor. He is a friend of Pakistan�, Group Capt. Asad mentioned.
Mr. Pervez Iqbal � General Manager of Terumo � mentioned that he and Dr. Mansour has been friends from many years. �They are a wonderful family and I value my friendship with them very much�, he added.
Engr. Mamoor Elahi � a Pakistani businessman � said that he and Dr. Mansour were good friends. �Dr. Mansour has been inviting to such luncheon since long. Although I have attended very few of them because of my prior commitments. However I thank Dr. Mansour for all of these�, Mamoor mentioned.
Mr. Victor Visser � Resident Manager of Novotel Hotel remarked that it was very nice to have Dr. Mansour and all of these distinguished Ambassadors at Novotel today. �I thank Dr. Mansour for the same�, he mentioned.
Ghulam Qadir Mallah � President of Indus Social & Cultural Forum and an IT Professional –
said that Dr. Mansour was an icon of the community. �Dr Mansour has always been so inspiring especially to me. I thank Dr. Mansour for inviting me and giving me an opportunity to meet with such illustrious personalities from different countries�, Ghulam Qadir Mallah remarked.
Mr. Khaled Al-Maeena � Editor-in-Chief Saudi Gazette � mentioned that he was happy to be present at this luncheon on such a wonderful day and meeting with new people. �Thank you Dr. Mansour for inviting�, he remarked.
Earlier on, Dr. Mansour and his wife Dr. Erum presented each of the distinguished guests with a traditional Sindhi Ajrak (Shawl) � as a token gift � and also thanked all for finding time to join them at the lunch.
Group with Diplomats and other invitees with The Memons
Diplomats and other Attendees during Luncheon
