Indian Cultural Centre

Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) is the apex body of the Indian expatriate community functioning under the patronage of the Embassy of India for the purpose of advancement of the social and cultural interests of the Indian community in Qatar. ICC is also the platform to serve the interest of almost 600,000 Indians residing in Qatar. This Cultural body is also committed to promoting the rich Indian culture among Qatari nationals and expatriate communities of all other nationalities living in Qatar. It also functions as a body of the Indian Embassy to strengthen the deep-rooted Indo-Qatar friendship and cultural relationship. The membership of the ICC is open to all Indian nationals residing in Qatar. More than 80 socio-cultural organizations of the Indian community have been affiliated to ICC thereby ICC acts as an umbrella origination for these outfits. The Ambassador of India is the Patron of ICC and one officer of the Embassy is nominated by the Ambassador as the Chief Coordinator of the ICC.

History

The decision to establish an Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), was taken in a meeting of prominent Indian community members held at the Embassy premises on September 8, 1991, and the Centre was formally inaugurated on October 26, 1992. A formal constitution of the Indian Cultural Centre was drafted and signed by the Ad hoc Committee members on April 20, 1993, and the first elections were held on May 21, 1993 with the participation of 233 members. Later the number of founder members increased to 300. The ICC was started in Bin Umran which was officially inaugurated by the then Ambassador of India K.P. Fabian on 31 August 1993.

Objectives

ICC is the official body of the Indian expatriate community functioning under the patronage of the Embassy of India for the purpose of advancement of sports, social, and cultural activities of the Indian community in Qatar. ICC is also the platform to serve the interest of almost 600,000 Indians residing in Qatar. This Cultural body is also committed to promoting the rich Indian culture among Qatari nationals and expatriate communities of all other nationalities living in Qatar. It also functions as a body of the Indian Embassy to strengthen the deep-rooted Indo-Qatar friendship and cultural relationship. The membership of the ICC is open to all Indian nationals residing in Qatar. ICC also serves as an umbrella organization of all socio-cultural outfits of the Indian community residing in Qatar. As of now, more than 90 organizations are affiliated with ICC.