Al Ain: EIFF annual sports meet held; Bur Dubai retains championship

Jeddah: Indian Pilgrims Welfare Forum (IPWF) under the patronage of consulate General of India Jeddah related to welfare activities connected to Indian hajj pilgrims in particular and welfare functions of Indian community at large, organized Quran recitation competition for Indian students of age 10 to 14 residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Grand Finale was conducted Live online via Zoom virtual conference on Friday 15th May 2020 at 14:45 Hrs.

The Consul General Of India, Jeddah and Vice Patron IPWF, H.E.Mr. Md. Noor Rahman Shiekh graced the Grand Finale as honorable Chief Guest. The HOC, Consul Hajj and Director IPWF - Mr. Y Sabir attended as Guest of Honor, while the ever-exuberant President of the forum Mr. Ayyub Hakeem lead the event. A large number of Indian dignitaries and media personnel also joined this live event.

Judges panel included three experienced youths. First judge was the Prominent Hafiz and one of the best Qaris of his calibre, Hafiz Ismail Yahya Bilal, well educated in Qirat from Umm Al Qura University Makkah and currently persuing Masters. He also holds many honors and accolades from various international competitions and appreciations from Imaams of Haramain. The other judge, Hafiz Abdullah A.Mateen Usmani, first position winner, a record for being youngest Indian to win Jeddah Quran competition 2018 under patronage of Jeddah Governor.  Hafiz Farhan Abdur Rab, was the third judge, an Engineer by profession, as well as current Treasurer at IPWF.

Winners; Humeirah Masood Kazi and Furqan Mohammed Vasi Ahmed won Gold position. Maryam Jaffar and Adil Abdul Rasheed ranked Silver while Khatija Ehtesham Ali and Nadeem Noorisha ranked Bronze. Consolation prizes were given to Aamina Mustafa and Mohammed Ahsan Ali. The event was organized to encourage and boost the ambitions of young generation and inspring them to bring out their best in Quran Recitation

While speaking at the event Chief Guest H.E.Mr. Md.Noor Rahman Sheikh appreciated the social works of IPWF for Indian Community, praised the brilliant performance of students, He said it gives us great pleasure seeing that all participants, Judges and Jury members are Indians, he said the recitation of the children was fantabulous, and congratulated to the winners and participants. Chief Guest further said President Ayyub Hakeem and his IPWF Team deserves to be appreciated for their relentless efforts for this Noble cause, even in this period when the world is observing lockdown.

HOC, Consul Hajj Mr. Y Sabir appreciated IPWF team for organizing this virtual competition, he said it’s really amazing that 111 students registered to participate for the contest, he appreciated the hard work of children and efforts of parents for preparing their children.

Mr. Hakeem welcomed all and informed that this competition received overwhelming response from Indian community locally and internationally in short time since its launch was just couple of days earlier. Which compliments events Objective to encourage children “mainly Indians residing in Saudi Arabia” especially during the month of Quran “Ramadan” and lockdown period #COVID-19. 

40 contestants made it to the Semifinals, and 15 Students reached the Grand Finale, 2 young children were given consolation for their enthusiastic recitation. 

The President also appreciated his IPWF Team for unwavering support in preparation of this event.  He thanked the Chief Guest, HE Mr. Md. Noor Rahman Sheikh and Guest of Honor Mr. Y Sabir for gracing this glorious competition. He Thanked the audience and announced that all contestants will be awarded appreciation “digital certificate’

Syed Nasir Khursheed anchored the program, and entertained with beautiful Urdu couplets. Farhan Abdur Rab and Abdul Rahman Poyakkara conducted the contest flawlessly on time. Farhan, concluded the event with Vote of Thanks and soleful dua.

Dubai: A non-profitable social organization, KSCC is delivering a great service to the community during this pandemic situation.

Karnataka Sports and Cultural Club is a civil organization registered under Community Development Authority (CDA) involved in implementing various UAE government initiatives, blood donation drives, health campaigns, sport events, charity works, awareness programs and much more.

KSCC is currently actively liaising with Dubai government authorities in discharging the needs and requirements of the people in these challenging covid-19 pandemic times. It is also involved the activities such as logistics, coordinating stores, mobilizing isolation centers, equipping quarantine facilities and volunteering services.

During these testing times, KSCC is also facilitating the Guidance to the general public, follow-up up to 122 covid positive cases, counselling the affected, assisting the references and providing the ever-necessary emotional support by setting up a team of 24 reserved persons for call center helplines.

As per the request from DHA (Dubai Health Authority) KSCC has successfully organized the blood donation drive and donated upto 141 units of blood with the help of KSCC members & supporters.

Apart from above, KSCC is also engaged in serving needy by distributing the food provisional kit (Yestahloon) from the very 1st day of lockdown till day by their special task force team under guidelines of CDA, and also taking into consideration the month of Ramadan, team is successfully distributing Iftar food & provision kit with the help of donors.

In the 1st Phase, KSCC covered 2421 beneficiaries by providing 440 provisional food kits, 435 food pack and 529 Iftar kits.

As per the CDA guidelines, club is also engaged in following up the health condition of senior citizens living in UAE.

KSCC special team is also engaged in clearing documentation and formalities related to dead body repatriation until its final procedures and handing over to relatives with help of UAE governments authorities. Total 5 dead bodies are repatriated in their 1st phase of service.

KSCC is also having a center controlled special task team to assist all above activities during the covid-19 pandemic to continue the services to general public.

KSCC thanks all Government authorities, Members in different task team, supporters and Sponsors company MAERSK, MALABAR GOLD & DIAMOND and TAMIL ENTREPRENEUR for their support and also request extend their support to consolidate the above demanding service and deliver our best possible assistance not only because it is the month of Ramadan, but also our responsibility to reach out to the poor and needy, during this fight against Covid-19.

Dr Soofi Anwar, Director Academics of University of Stirling RAK, UAE Campus, has achieved the prestigious professional recognition of Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) UK. He has achieved this milestone through the Stirling Framework for Evidencing Learning and Teaching Enhancement (SFELTE), the Continuing Professional Development Framework (CPD) for learning and teaching at University of Stirling, Scotland, UK. 

He was recognized for this achievement on recently concluded virtual Learning & Teaching Conference-2020 organized by University of Stirling Campus in UK.  He has secured his Ph.D. in Management from University of Azteca, Mexico.

Dr. Soofi Anwar has over 20 years of experience in teaching and academic leadership at higher education level and has worked in leading universities in UAE, Bahrain and India. He was conferred the prestigious Middle East Education Leadership Award, as the Best Professor in Management-2018 in recognition of his academic excellence, exemplary leadership in higher education. Prior to his current role, he has worked on leadership position in Birla Institute of Technology Offshore Campus RAK.

He has completed his MBA from Dept. of Business Administration, Mangalore University in 1999 and his B. Com degree from Canara College Mangaluru.

He has published numerous research papers in management and in the area of teaching and learning in higher education in reputed academic journals and international conferences proceedings. He is a member of editorial board of two leading management journals and engaged in reviewing faculty research publications in the area of management and marketing. 

He is a son of Haji Abdul Khadar Kodijal and Mrs. Mariyamma from Konaje, Mangaluru.