IMA hosts spectacular family desert picnic

Kuwait, Mar 28: Indian Muslim Association (IMA) - Kuwait organized a 'Family Desert Picnic 2013' at Wafra on the outskirts of the city. The theme of the event was ‘‘O my Lord! Increase me in Knowledge (Qur’an: Taha-114)" which was apparent in all the activities throughout the picnic.

Spacious premises with separate tents for men and women and many small tents for basic amenities in a desert provided a great escape from the routine to the entire family members.

It is a customary annual event, which provides educational discourses, entertainment, sports, Mushaira (Urdu poetry session), several kinds of competitions and various other activities to the entire family to rejoice in a leisurely atmosphere. Islamic Books and DVDs/ CDs stall was available during the picnic with displayed various contemporary books in different Indian languages.

The Picnic started with the breakfast followed by brief morning session. President of IMA, Mohammad Aslam welcomed the audience and briefed about the activities of IMA. Nisar Ahmad gave an informative presentation on the contribution of various Muslim Scientists and thinkers in the medieval period to the development of Science and technology and the body of knowledge at large. The philanthropist and prominent businessman Feroz Miller was the guest of honor for the event. IMA Youth-Wing President Faheem Shareef gave picnic guidelines to the participants to ensure discipline and safety during the entire event.

Various sports activities such as volleyball, running race and cricket etc were conducted separately for men and women. An exhibition displaying the contributions made by the Muslim scientists and thinkers in the medieval period was of prime attraction to the audience. In a parallel session, many prominent Urdu poets participated in Mushaira (Urdu poetry session) and presented their poems with big applause and appreciation from the audience.  Eminent thinkers/ poets such as Abdullah Abbasi, Masood Hassas, Afroz Alam, Aamer Kidwai and Khaled Azmi were present on the dais.

Sharfuddin Soofi, a well known speaker delivered the Friday sermon on the importance of knowledge (ilm) in Islam.  He spoke about the gift Islam bestowed to generations that is the collection and dissemination of knowledge to eradicate ignorance and enlighten the minds and souls of humankind. By employing various illustrations from the Qur’an and Islamic history, he meticulously explain the urgent need for reformation and further added that the development of Ummah does not just rely on a sound economy, but on sound knowledge and its proper use.

Evening session included dramas and cultural programs and multimedia presentations under various relevant educational themes presented by the members of IMA youth wing.  It was one of the prime attractions of the picnic that added flavor to the atmosphere. During evening session prize distribution to the winners of various competitions were given. A raffle draw among picnic participants sponsored by Air Arabia for an air ticket to and fro from Kuwait to India was held. Delicious Biryani was served to the participants for lunch.  More than twelve hundred people with their families participate in the event. Shamveel Parvez conducted the program and Mohammed Hasan worked as an event manager for the event.