The guest speaker was Dr. Mohamed Lazzouni, Chairman of Al Hamra Academy. It was an honor and privilege for the audience to hear Dr. Lazzouni who is a sought after speaker. Dr. Lazzouni’s words of wisdom came forth with clarity and precision. A well-structured speech delivered with perfection gave the rituals of Islam a new perspective. It enhanced the knowledge of everyone attending and even the youth paid attention. Dr. Lazzouni is a visiting professor at The Jesuit Institute of Boston College and has a string of degrees from Physics to Islamic Jurisprudence. He is the CTO of Viisage Technologies in Billerica and his dynamic leadership is evident in all spheres of life, be it community service or education.

This was followed by a cultural program. The highlight of the evening was playback singer Thahaseen Mohamed. Thahaseen mesmerized the audience starting off with a devotional number..Here was a singer blessed with talent and a voice rich in cadence. A dance from ‘Achuvinte Amma’  Thaaamarakuruvi’ excellently choreographed by Sapna Krishnan had everyone in the  right spirits bubbling with enthusiasm. Participants, Nikhitha Shalabh, Muneeba Syed, Sanjana & Savitha Pillai danced with exuberance to the fast paced rhythm setting the festivity of the day 

Anup Abraham entertained the audience with a few Malayalam songs. He was also in charge of the sound system. Fashion show by little performers ( Afreen Jaleel,, Adiba Ubaid, Nilanjana Nambiar, Ganga & Janaki Sabarinath, Rithvik Rajesh, Savio, Samuel & Sophie Sunny, Nikhita, Kevin & Amy Shalabh, was followed by seniors Sanjana & Savitha Pillai & Muneeba Syed. Smart and chic, sporting sweet smiles draped in gorgeous ghagras and contemporary lehengas to pattu paavadas, shervanis and traditional Muslim dress, the little stars dazzled the mob

Then Thahaseen ‘s talents surfaced again as he switched from Mohd. Rafi to Yesudas and the classical bits sent the audience to a fine frenzy and they kept begging for more. However he was very obliging and agreed to sing a few more putting his heart and soul into every song. The audience forgot their hunger pangs as they listened to him. The aroma of spicy chicken biryani smothered with cashew nuts and raisins, the hall mark of Eid cuisine lavishly served with sizzling chicken and a hearty veggie kurma and mouth watering desserts beckoned the crowd.  As they relished the food, chatting with old friends and making new ones, most felt grateful that NEMA had organized yet another marvelous and memorable Eid.