JEDDAH — The Urdu Academy Jeddah organized it's 15th annual literary program to promote Urdu language and to mark India's National Education Day, celebrated every year in the memory of the India's first education minister, at the Indian Consulate here recently. Many eminent personalities of the Indian community along with students from various schools attended the event. Indian Consul for Press and Information at Indian consulate Dr. Irshad Ahmed was among the guests. The role of Muslim freedom fighters in India's liberation and that of the Urdu language were highlighted by the academy through quiz and speech contests. Dr. Irshad appreciated the efforts of the academy, and praised the remarkable performance of the young children who spoke about the Urdu language and its richness. By paying rich tribute to freedom fighters and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Dr. Irshad said, "To convey the teachings and thoughts of Maulana Azad and imparting knowledge about our freedom fighters to our new generation is the main requirement of time." He added: "The Urdu Academy's efforts in promoting Urdu language is commendable and academy officials must cooperate with different states in India for the promotion of Urdu." While delivering his welcome address Jamal Qadri, president of Urdu Academy, reviewed the academy's achievements, charitable programs and social activities. along with a brief report of academy's activities in promotion of Urdu language. The quiz and speech contests of this year were based on information about the known and unknown freedom fighters that laid down their lives for the country. Students from 16 different international schools of Jeddah participated in the speech and quiz competitions. The quiz competition encompassed the struggles and sacrifices of 12 freedom fighters, history and importance of the Urdu language, especially in terms of poetry and prose, as also the contribution of Urdu poets in Urdu language. Participants delivered speeches on Azad and his services in education and freedom struggle, and his contribution to the country. Aslam Afghani was in charge of speech contest while T.M. Abdul Sameeh was the chief judge. The panel of judges comprised T.M. Lakshman, Surindar Pal Singh, Aleem Khan Falki, Aqeel Jamil, Ehsan Ullah Khan, Ahmed Abdul Hakeem, Nasir Kursheed and Wazir Akhthar. Winners of the English speech contest were Sayda Farheen Fathima and Mohammed Sufyan Nafees of Indian International School-Jeddah (IISJ), first; Areeb un Nissa Fadli of Al Falah of Jeddah (DPS) and Arbab Khan, second; and Samiksha of Al-Wurood International School and Mohammed Faheem of Shati Al-Noor, third. Winners of the Urdu speech contest were Malik Rafiya of Dauha Al-Uloom and Abdulrahman Abdullah of Al-Wurood, first; Sobiya Majed and Nadeem Fayaz of DPS, second; and Maryam and Ziad Zahid of Nofil School, third. In quiz, girls of Dauha of Al-Uloom and boys of Shati Al-Noor were in first place, while girls of Al-Wurood and boys of IISJ second, and girls of IISJ and boys of Al-Mawarid third. Cash awards of SR500, SR300 and SR200 were presented respectively to the first three winners with a shield and certificate. An Azad Souvenir 2014 was also launched on the occasion. Earlier the program commenced with the recitation of some verses of Holy Qur'an by Qaria Fatima Sarwar followed by Na'at from Ibrahim Riyaz.
