Spectacular formation of UAE human flag at KSCC fitness challenge closing ceremony

Kuwait: Friday Forum Kuwait conducted its 12th inter-school Islamic Elocution Competition at Hotel Rajadhani Palace, Khaitan on 1st January 2020. 

The competition, which was held in the senior and junior categories had participation from 15 Indian Schools across Kuwait comprising of 43 students. In the senior category, Ayisha Wafiya of Indian Community School, Khaitan bagged the first prize and Efrem Joseph of Indian Community School, Amman won the second prize. 

In the junior category, Hima Jameela of Indian Community School, Khaitan bagged the first prize and Fadhel Kandapath of Fahaheel Al Wataniya Indian School won the second prize. Nawaal Yaseen Ebrahim of Indian Community School (SR), Salmiya and Rhruthunanda of Indian Learners Own Academy, Abbasiya won the consolation prizes in senior and junior categories respectively.

This year, the event was fully conducted by the ladies wing of Friday Forum. Dr. Thasneem Amir, Ibtisam Basheer, Toast Masters Ola Rasheed, Fatma Abduhedeid, Shazia Thabassum and Marium Rangat were the judges for the competition in senior and junior categories. The event started with the Qira’at by Saneera Riyas, followed by welcome speech by Dr. Sajna Mohammed. 

The prizes were distributed to winners by Shahina Mansoor, Femitha Faseeh, Dr.Thasneem Amir, Dr. Sajna Mohammed, Zeenath Yacoub, Safna Sayam and Saneera Riyas. The Souvenir for the program - “INSPERIA 2020”- was released during the event by the chief editor Farha Abdul Rahman. The program was compered by Thanveera Noushad and the program convenor Subeana Shabeer conveyed the vote of thanks.

Bengaluru, May 21: With temples yet to open for devotees as coronavirus restrictions are in place, the Karnataka government is preparing for live streaming of sevas (service) and poojas offered to deities at temples that comes under the state's Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Department.

The government has also decided to develop an app and web-based software with an intention to provide information to devotees regarding temples, also to facilitate online donations and advance booking for various sevas offered there.

Regarding online live streaming, Commissioner of the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Department has written to the Deputy Commissioners of all the districts and Executive Officers seeking a list of temples that comes under their jurisdiction where such facility can be provided.

"It has been intended to do online live streaming of sevas and pooja rituals at temples that come under the department in the backdrop of COVID-19 crisis. In this regard it is requested to provide a list of temples where online live facility can be provided to devotees, by abiding the traditions and practices of the temple," the letter said.

Though the temples are holding daily poojas and rituals, they are not open to public for now, with COVID-19 induced lockdown restrictions in place.

Officials had recently had stated that the department was planning to have a standard operating procedure (SOP) in place, that needs to be followed at temples in a post lockdown scenario, once they are opened for the public.

There are over 34,000 temples in the state that come under the department.

Meanwhile, in another letter to DCs of 15 districts, also Executive officers and administrators of 'A' grade temples, aimed at development of app and web-based software, the Commissioner has sought information regarding sevas offered at temples in their jurisdictions and those sevas for which option can be provided for devotees to do advance booking.

Kuwait: Eid is usually a time of family get-togethers and feasts after weeks of dawn-to-dusk fasting. But this year people celebrated at home, with virus fears dampening the holiday spirit and strict restrictions in place.

Kuwait went under full curfew before the start of Ramadan leaving people to practice fasting and Ramadan rituals at home, Even Eid al-Fitr came under full lock-down period.

As situation demanded, IMA Kuwait celebrated the Eid Get-together online via video conferencing tool, All IMA members participated joyfully in Eid Milan online gathering which was scheduled immediately after Eid prayer. Members participated and congratulated each other on the eve of Eid.

The IMA president Shamvel Parviz addressed the gathering and thanked them for joining online for this unique Eid celebration which will be remembered in history. He also advised members to be aware of conditions of neighbors, friends and family and assist them if they need help in this difficult time.

Eid al-Fitr follows weeks of fasting and marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Thousands of Muslims all over Kuwait followed strict guideline and performed Eid prayer at home along with their family.

As a part of social service activities IMA also distributed ration kits before start of Ramadan and during Ramadan for needy people all over Kuwait.