In the Name of God, with His praise, and blessings upon His Prophet
To His Majesty, the Caliph of God over the Two Holy Sanctuaries,
Custodian of the Qiblah of the Islamic World,
Bearer of the Banner of the Muhammadan Sharia,
His Majesty King Saud ibn ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz, the Exalted Monarch—may God ever guard and protect you.
We, the Arabs of Hyderabad, celebrate Your Majesty’s arrival with the utmost respect and reverence. We take pride in welcoming Your Majesty and the noble princes of the illustrious House of Saud, together with all those honored by your august presence. We take particular pride in this royal visit to Hyderabad, for we believe it is directed especially toward the thousands of Arabs who have lived here for centuries—unlike any other region of India.
This is what has stirred the flames of longing in the hearts of our elders and youth alike, inspiring all of us to hasten in expressing our heartfelt welcome to Your Majesty from the depths of our souls.
There remain in Hyderabad and its environs nearly thirty thousand Arabs and their descendants—among them noble sayyids, tribal leaders and chiefs, and many others, especially from Hadramawt, as well as from other Arab lands. Hyderabad is distinguished in this regard, for the Sultans of Mukalla, al‑Shiḥr, and Hadramawt—the rulers of the al‑Quʿayṭī Arab State—had long taken it as their second home. Their sons reside here today, including the one honored to present this address to Your Majesty.
The Arabs of Hyderabad have attained high ranks and distinguished positions, surpassing many of their peers in the fields of knowledge and work. Among their sons are hundreds who have completed advanced studies in English, Arabic, engineering, law, and other disciplines, graduating from colleges and universities with high degrees—despite the fact that many of them live in great need and hardship.
There is no doubt that the bonds of brotherhood and connection between the Arabs and the Indians are firmly rooted since ancient times, for the Arabs are truly the neighbors of the Indians, and the Indians the neighbors of the Arabs. Each has rights upon the other. Indeed, the number of Indians living in Arab lands is many times greater than the number of Arabs living throughout India. This long‑standing friendship has grown even stronger and more deeply rooted with Your Majesty’s arrival in India.
May God support you, O King, grant success to your endeavors, vanquish your enemies, and keep the Saudi banner raised high through the passing of days and the turning of ages—an emblem of pride for every Arab, a refuge for all, and an example to be followed by East and West alike.
Peace, God’s mercy, and His blessings be upon you.
From the Arabs of Hyderabad Deccan (India)
Presented by:
Sayf ibn Ḥusayn al‑Quʿayṭī,
son of the late Sultan Ḥusayn ibn Sultan ʿAbd Allāh al‑Quʿayṭī
(Sultans of al‑Shiḥr, al‑Mukallā, and Hadramawt)
President of the Reception Council for Your Majesty’s Visit
Secretary of the Council: Muḥammad Muḥsin ibn Ḥasan Bā Ghazāl, Attorney
19 Rabīʿ al‑Thānī 1375 AH