Srinagar, Oct 4: Maktaba Maseel-ul-Ummah, in association with the Mirwaiz Foundation, organised a prize distribution ceremony for a Seerah competition at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar on Sunday.
Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq presided over the ceremony and presented cash prizes, mementos and certificates to the winners.
Addressing the gathering, Mirwaiz said inculcating values such as honesty, compassion, respect, responsibility and empathy in children was essential for building a healthy society.
He said children would become the citizens, professionals, parents and decision-makers of tomorrow, and the values imparted to them today would shape society in the future.
Mirwaiz said the purpose of introducing children to the Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (saw) was not merely to familiarise them with historical events, but also to help them imbibe its values in their conduct and relationships.
He stressed that character-building was a collective responsibility of parents, teachers, religious institutions and society, and called for moral education to receive attention alongside academics.
He appreciated the organisers for holding the competition and said such initiatives should be encouraged to help children learn and practise the values of Seerah in their daily lives.
In the under-12 category, Moomin Shabir of Maktabah Taleem-ul-Quran, Sheeshgari Mohalla, Khanyar, secured the first position, followed by Maryam Suhail of Maktaba Meseeh-ul-Ummah, Chandpora, and Sheikh Saliha Fayaz of Darasgah Taleem-ul-Quran, Lar, Ganderbal.
In the under-18 category, Hadiya Gulzar of Maktaba Taleem-un-Nisa, Nawa Kadal, secured the first position, while Arooba Niyaz of Supreme Coaching Centre, Gojwara, stood second. The third position was jointly secured by Iqra Ashraf, Mantashah Shabir, Hammad Jehanggeer, Bisma Gulzar, Sadiya and Mayasar Mushtaq.
The winners received cash prizes ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000, besides mementos and certificates. Girls featured prominently among the top position-holders in both categories.
