After the exploration of oil in the Gulf in the mid of 1930’s a large number of Keralites’ moved into this region in search of employment and better living. The knanaites with an inborn tendency to migrate also saw the Arabian Peninsula as a safe place to work and to attain prosperity.  The presence of Knanaya Catholics in Saudi Arabia has been seen form the beginning of 1980’s especially with the arrival of health care professionals in the country.

During 1984 under the auspicious leadership of Mr. Joy Kuzhiamparabil, reached out to the Knanaya brethren scattered in various part of Riyadh. They used to assemble in the dates farms of Riyadh on the weekends exchanging their pleasant reminiscent of communities. However, as the number of knanaites started growing, an association was formed by Joy Chettan and his companions. Mr. Joy was selected as the first president of Riyadh Knanaya Association in 1988.Thus the Riyadh Knanaya association has sown its seeds in Riyadh.

The main motto of the association was to reinforce the concept of endogamous community by following Knanaya faith and tradition practiced by our ancestors. Subsequently the RKA stated their regular and formal meetings with a minimum of three or four gatherings per year. Large and well decorated party halls have been chosen to hold the family gathering. Each Kudumba Sangamam would start in the morning with the rosary or Holy mass. This followed by seminars, discussions and competition of Knanaya traditional songs, cultural and outdoor sport activities before winding off the meeting in the dusk.

Special emphasis is given to children and youth by providing them career guidance classes to meet the challenges they face in their teenage. Association also holds talks by eminent personalities to reaffirm the Knanaya faith and practices in children. Similarly, special recognition and awards are conferred to students for their academic excellence.

The association elects its committee members every year from the general body through secret ballots. The committee consists of President, Vice President, Secretary, Joint secretary, Treasurer and other members. Riyadh Knanaya association is proud to confirm that in order to have a better relationship among the Knanaya members, a few Mega Kudumba Sangamam were held from 2007 to 2011 in the cities of, Riyadh and Jeddah Dammam and Riyadh hosted the last one in 2011. The association has also published Knanaya directory twice which contains the photographs and contact particulars of its members.

No Member of Riyadh Knanaya association leaves the region without a splendid farewell. This also enables us to have a greater relationship with each and every member of our community.

During the last one year, the physical gathering of the association has been stalled due to Corvid-19. We pray that God Almighty will save all of us from this pandemic.

We hereby declare that, we are proud of being knanaites and we strongly and firmly assure we would practice our hereditary, culture, tradition and legacy handed over to us by our forefathers. We are indeed grateful to our spiritual and religious leaders for their timely and valuable advice.