Category Archives: Events, Exhibitions, Conferences (wef. Nov 18th, 2021)

21 ‘Most Influential Business individuals’ feted with ‘Gulf Karnataka Ratna Awards

KARNATAKA / DUBAI, UAE:

The distinguished honorees pose for a group photo during the mega event in Dubai.

The Gulf Karnatakotsava, an event dedicated to honouring the outstanding contributions and work of Karnataka-origin business icons in the Gulf region, concluded on a grand note.

The mega event marked a significant milestone as it paid tribute to a total of 21 exemplary ‘Most Influential Business individuals’.

These distinguished honorees, recognised as ‘Gulf Karnataka Ratna,’ received their recognition from the esteemed Chief Guest, Sheikh Mohammed Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum, a Member of the Royal Family of Dubai and the Chairman of MBM Group. The heart of this momentous event was a coffee table book launch, capturing their achievements and dedication to both the Gulf nations and their home state of Karnataka.

The Gulf Karnatakotsava was a resounding success, drawing more than 1000 attendees from all walks of life and capturing the essence of Karnataka’s rich culture, heritage, and business prowess. The event served as a platform to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable success stories of these individuals who have made a significant impact on the economic and social fabric of both the Gulf countries and Karnataka.

The highlight of the event was the felicitation of the 21 distinguished individuals who were honoured as ‘Gulf Karnataka Ratna Awards.’ These business icons, representing the most influential and powerful leaders from a wide array of industries, who have achieved tremendous success but have also contributed significantly to the welfare of their communities and the betterment of Karnataka.

The list of notable icons featured in the coffee table book and ‘Gulf Karnataka Ratna 2023’ awardees included Dr. Thumbay Moideen, emerging as the number one contributor in Medical Education and Healthcare sector of UAE. Notably he’s the only businessman from Karnataka who holds the distinction of being world’s only businessman from Karnataka to own a private medical University outside of India, the leader in healthcare and medical education in UAE.

Other awardees included: Hidayatullah Abbas, Founder & Chairman, Hidayath Group; Mohammed Meeran, Chairman of EMCO International and Electric Way; James Mendonca, Founder & Chairman, Reliable Group of Companies; Nissar Ahmed, Chairman, Nash Engineering; Ramchandra Hegde, Managing Director, Spraytek Coatings; Joseph Mathias, Managing Director, Merit Freight Systems; Vasudeva Bhat Puthige, Owner, Venus Group of Restaurants; Mohammed Naveed Magundi, Intignis Naveed Company; Mansoor Ahmed, Chairman, Saara Group; M. Syed Khalil, Founder Chairman, K&K Enterprises; Michael D’Souza, Managing Director, Ivory Grand Real Estate; Ibrahim Gadiyar, Managing Director – Gadiyar Group of Companies and Director Projects – Pantheon Development Group; Dr. B.K Yousuf, Executive Chairman, Air Chateau International; Dr. Sathish P Chandra, CEO, Global Tech Park; Zafrullah Khan Mandya Chairman and Founder, ZGC Global / Zain Group of Hotels; Devid Frank Fernandes, Chancellor General MEA, Peace Ambassador & Chief of Mission (UAE) ICDRHRP IGO, Martin Aranha, Managing Director, Globelink West Star Shipping, John Sunil, Group Chief Executive Officer, Burjeel Holdings, Mohammed Ashif, Co-president and CEO, Expertise contracting and Ravi Shetty, Managing Director, Advanced Technical Services. Their stories of perseverance, innovation, and commitment to excellence served as an inspiration to all attendees.

The Gulf Karnatakotsava was not just about awards and accolades; it was a true celebration of Karnataka’s vibrant culture and artistic heritage. The event featured a captivating blend of cultural performances, musical concerts, and comedy acts that left the audience enthralled. Traditional dances such as Pili Vesha were showcased, transporting the audience to the heart of Karnataka.

Hidayathullah Abbas, Founder and Chairman, Hidayath Group told Gulf Today that he is honoured to have been recognised at this Gulfkarnatakotsava platform, alongside so many accomplished individuals who share a connection with Karnataka and have made remarkable contributions in the Gulf.

“The Gulf Karnataka Ratna Awards event celebrates our shared heritage and showcases the incredible achievements that have taken shape from this cultural bridge.”

“The launch of the coffee table book emphasizes the stories, journeys, and legacies of Karnataka’s business icons in the Gulf. It serves as a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of our community and the lasting impact we’ve made across industries and borders. I hope that these stories inspire future generations to continue the legacy of excellence and compassion that our community represents.” Abbas added.

The musical segment of the event witnessed renowned artists and musicians such as, Santosh Venky, Guru Kiran and noted playback singer Chaitra HG, was a testament to the harmonious coexistence of cultures and the bond between Karnataka and the Gulf countries.

Comedy, often regarded as the universal language of laughter, also played a pivotal role in the event. Comedian Kannada actors Prakash Thuminad and Deepak Rai Panaje had the audience in splits, providing moments of pure joy and amusement amidst the grandeur of the evening.

The Gulf Karnatakotsava was a celebration of success and a testament to the strong ties between Karnataka and the Gulf countries. It highlighted the importance of recognizing and honoring the contributions of individuals who have bridged the gap between these two regions, fostering cultural exchange, economic growth, and mutual understanding. As the curtains closed on the Gulf Karnatakotsava, it left behind a legacy of inspiration and pride. The ‘Gulf Karnataka Ratna’ awardees serve as an encouragement for aspiring entrepreneurs and a reminder that Karnataka’s heritage and success stories continue to shine on the global stage.

source: http://www.gulftoday.ae / Gulf Today / Home> Business / by Inayat-Ur-Rahman, Business Editor / September 11th, 2023

Udupi’s prominent NRI businessman Hidayathullah Abbas honored with ‘Gulf Karnataka Ratna’ award

Udupi, KARNATAKA / DUBAI, UAE:

Dubai:

Hidayathullah Abbas, a distinguished Non-Resident Indian (NRI) businessman hailing from Uchila, Udupi, was bestowed with the prestigious ‘Gulf Karnataka Ratna’ award at the Gulf Karnatakotsava event held in Dubai on Sunday, September 10, 2023. The event’s Chief Guest, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum, a member of the Royal Family of Dubai and Chairman of MBM Group, graced the occasion.

Hidayathullah Abbas embarked on his entrepreneurial journey in the 1970s, initially engaging in hardware trading. Over time, he diversified into the supply of stainless steel materials and gradually emerged as a market leader in trading, processing, project supplies, manufacturing, and services related to architectural and industrial products in stainless steel and allied metals.

As the founding chairman of the Hidayath Group, he played a pivotal role in its remarkable growth. In just four decades, the group achieved global recognition in the stainless steel industry. His visionary leadership, hard work, unwavering commitment, risk-taking acumen, and dedication were instrumental in propelling the group to success. Hidayathullah Abbas’s strategic focus and understanding consistently aligned with the group’s objectives. His emphasis on continuous technological advancement, strategic acquisitions, and well-planned expansions into new markets enabled the group to make substantial inroads into the architectural and industrial sectors.

In addition to his remarkable business achievements, Hidayath is also a prominent philanthropist, actively supporting religious, educational, and social institutions. His contributions extend beyond the business realm, reflecting his commitment to the betterment of society.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / by Vartha Bharati / September 11th, 2023

Eminent NRI businessman from Bhatkal Syed Khalil ur Rahman honored with ‘Gulf Karnataka Ratna’ award

Bhatkal (Uttara Kannada District) KARNATAKA / SHARJAH-DUBAI, UAE:

Dubai: 

In a remarkable celebration of exemplary contributions and achievements, Syed Khalil ur Rahman, a distinguished NRI businessman and community leader from Bhatkal, was bestowed with the prestigious ‘Gulf Karnataka Ratna’ award. This honor was conferred upon him during the Gulf Karnatakotsava event held in Dubai on Sunday, September 10, 2023. The Chief Guest for this momentous occasion was His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum, a member of the Royal Family of Dubai and Chairman of MBM Group.

Syed Khalil, affectionately known as ‘C A Khalil’ among the general public, hails from the Nawayat community of Bhatkal. His exceptional journey to prominence and distinction has not only brought pride to the Nawayat community but also to Kannadigas and Indians at large. Khalil is renowned for his remarkable achievements and dedication to international trade, social service, and the education of underprivileged children.

Having ventured to the Gulf in 1978, Khalil’s unwavering faith and dedication to the Galadari family propelled the Galadari Company to unparalleled success over three decades. Presently, he serves as the Founder Chairman of K&K Enterprises General Trading Company in Sharjah. Khalil also holds positions in numerous educational and social service organizations in Karnataka and beyond.

His passionate commitment extends to addressing the issue of youth unemployment. In his public addresses, he emphasizes the need for medical education and the establishment of a reputable hospital in the region. Khalil has received numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious ‘Rajyostava Award’ from the Karnataka government, an honorary doctorate from Aldersgate College, Ireland, and countless felicitations that showcase his outstanding accomplishments and exemplary character.

Syed Khalil stands as one of the town’s first chartered accountants, renowned for his financial expertise. He is also a respected leader in social service, religious, and educational circles. His leadership roles have included the presidency of prominent organizations such as Anjuman Hami-e-Muslimeen and Rabita Society. Khalil is an advocate for girls’ education and has played a pivotal role in establishing extensive educational institutions.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / by Vartha Bharati / September 11th, 2023

Dr. Thumbay Moideen honored with ‘Gulf Karnataka Ratna’ Award at Gulf Karnatakotsava

Mangaluru, KARNATAKA / AJMAN-DUBAI, UAE:

Dubai (UAE):

 In a testament to extraordinary achievements and contributions, Dr. Thumbay Moideen was bestowed with the ‘Gulf Karnataka Ratna’ Award, emphasizing his leadership in healthcare delivery and medical education. Notably, Dr. Moideen holds the distinction of being the only Indian in the world to own and operate the biggest private medical university outside India. This recognition reflects his dedication to enhancing healthcare and nurturing the future of medical professionals. Alongside him, 20 other distinguished businessmen were also honored for their remarkable contributions at the festivities of the Gulf Karnatakotsava- the United Arab Emirates’ most prominent platform for celebrating business excellence and recognizing the remarkable contributions of Karnataka’s businessmen in the Gulf region.

The award was presented by the esteemed Chief Guest, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum, a Member of the Royal Family of Dubai and the Chairman of MBM Group to Dr. Thumbay Moideen.

In 1997, Dr. Thumbay Moideen founded the Thumbay Group in 1997, which has grown from a private medical college to a prominent conglomerate in medical education, healthcare delivery research, diagnostics, pharmacies, and hospitality sectors. With over 110 locations across seven emirates, the group partners with over 70 institutions.

Speaking about receiving the award, Dr. Thumbay Moideen, founder president, Thumbay Group stated, “I am grateful to God Almighty, the support of the Rulers and the government, and my own sincere team. This recognition will inspire me to do more in driving positive change.”

Beyond business excellence, Dr. Moideen has been an ardent advocate for the importance of healthcare accessibility and quality education globally. His philanthropic efforts have reached communities in need, providing medical services and educational opportunities to those who would otherwise lack access.

The Gulf Karnataka Ratna Award is a testament to Dr. Thumbay Moideen’s commitment to improving the well-being of people and his dedication to nurturing the future leaders of the medical field.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / by Vartha Bharati / September 11th, 2023

Winners of 3rd National NGO Awards . 86 NGOs & 100 Changemakers honoured with 3rd AMP National Awards for Social Excellence 2023!

NEW DELHI :

Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Late Zaheeruddin Ali Khan, renowned Managing Editor, The Siasat Daily, for his immense contribution in the welfare of the people of the country, especially, States of A.P. & Telangana.

Winners of 3rd AMP National Awards for Social Excellence (NASE) 2023 were announced, on the evening of Independence Day, 15th August 2023, in an eagerly awaited function graced by honourable guests and a large gathering of participants from across India. 

A memorable event to announce the awards and felicitate a few awardees present, was held at Hakeem Abdul Hameed Auditorium, Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi. 

86 National & State level NGOs were awarded with Best NGO Awards. 100 inspiring individuals were given Changemaker Awards. 

Following are the NGOs (in alphabetical order) who were given the Best NGO Award;

  1. Ajmal Foundation, Assam
  2. All India Educational Movement (AIEM), Delhi
  3. All India Payam E Insaniyat Forum, Uttar Pradesh
  4. Daya Rehabilitation Trust Thanal, Kerala
  5. Miles2Smile Foundation, Delhi
  6. Manappat Foundation, Kerala
  7. M S Education Academy, Telangana

Apart from NGOs, 100 individuals were honoured with the AMP NASE Change Maker Awards.

These are the individuals who went beyond their personal and social limitations and made a difference in the lives of the underprivileged. Some of the notable Change Makers who have been honoured are;

  1. Shams Ur Rehman Alavi
  2. Firdouse Qutb Wani
  3. Aqueel Khan
  4. Dr. Faruk G Patel
  5. Asad Ashraf
  6. Dr Sana Ali Khan
  7. Faiqa Saulat Khan
  8. Mohammad Anas

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Late Zaheeruddin Ali Khan, renowned Managing Editor, The Siasat Daily, for his immense contribution in the welfare of the people of the country, especially, States of A.P. & Telangana. 

The Omar Khatani Special Award was given to Business & Employment Bureau (BEB), Jamia Hamdard.

For more details of award list and certificate
www.ampindia.org/AMP_National_NGO_Award_2023

Shri Tariq Anwar, Former Minister of State, Agriculture & Food Processing, Govt. of India, was the Chief Guest at the event. He said “It should be appreciated that AMP has been working in areas of Education and Empowerment of those who have been left behind in comparison to other sections of the Society. In conjunction with politicians, the NGOs can help to bring a positive and significant change in the Society.”

Guest of Honor, Prof. Akhtarul Wasey, Former President, Maulana Azad University, Jodhpur, congratulated AMP for organising the event at Jamia Hamdard which has been at the forefront of Social Development and Education. He said, “Within 15 years AMP has done significant work for the development of the Community and has managed to successfully changed the taali & gaali culture to that of serving the Society.”

Aamir Edresy, President, AMP, presented the Keynote address, wherein he mentioned that AMP believes in Collaboration and since its inception has been working with multiple organisations. He mentioned that through its NGO Connect project, AMP is connected with social organisations in each District of India, through which it implements its social welfare projects and also helps in their capacity building. He further said that these Awards are a small way of appreciating their efforts and helping to motivate them to do better.

Dr. Shahid Akhtar, Professor, Jamia Millia Islamia & Member, National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI), Govt. of India, said “AMP deserves the appreciation for rewarding & motivating various organisation & individuals for their work. We will work together with AMP for guiding Minority Institutions to register with NCMEI so that they get the benefits of Government’s education policies.”
 
Farooq Siddiqui, AMP NGO Connect Project Head, hosted the event very successfully and announced the awards for various categories at the National & State level. While addressing the gathering he said “We have successfully reached out to 6000+ NGOs in a short span of  3 years and associated with them on multiple AMP projects. These include Job Fairs & Job Drives, National Talent Search (NTS), Career Guidance Seminars (CGS), IndiaZakat.com and others.”

Prof. Mohammad Afshar Alam, Vice Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard welcomed the Guests and the participants.  Shaukat Mufti, Executive Secretary, Business & Employment Bureau (BEB), Jamia Hamdard, presented the vote of thanks.

The 9-member jury which selected the winners were led by A. R. Khan, Retd. IAS Officer & President A. R. Welfare Foundation and U. Nisar Ahmed, Retd. IPS Officer & Chairman National Centre for Research & Development. Mirza Mobin Beg, Sr. AMP Member was In-charge & Jury Co-ordinator for AMP NASE Awards 2023.

source: http://www.ampindia.org / Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) /Home / August 15th, 2023

Bhatkal Boy Shines At The King Abdulaziz International Competition Of Holy Quran

Bhatkal, KARNATAKA:

Ibrahim Shahbandari, hailing from Bhatkal, Karnataka, achieved an outstanding second place in the fifth category of the 43rd King Abdulaziz International Competition for Memorization, Recitation, and Interpretation of the Holy Qur’an.

The event, held at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, featured 166 contestants representing 117 countries across all five categories, with a total prize pool of SAR4,000,000.

In the first category, Ayoub bin Abdulaziz Al-Wahibi from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia secured first place and received a prize of SAR500,000. Saad bin Saadi Sleim from Algeria came in second place, earning SAR450,000, while Abu Al-Hasan Hassan Najm from Chad achieved the third position, receiving a prize of SAR400,000.

In the second category, Ammar bin Salem Al-Shahri from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia claimed the first position and was awarded a prize of SAR300,000. Mohammed bin Adnan Al-Omari from Bahrain secured second place, receiving a prize of SAR275,000. The third position went to Abdulaziz bin Malik Atli from Syria, who received a prize of SAR250,000.

In the third category, the winners include Mohammed bin Ibrahim Mohammed from Somalia, who clinched first place and received a prize of SAR200,000. Second place went to Shuaib bin Mohammed Hassan from Sweden, who was awarded SAR190,000 while Faisal Ahmed from Bangladesh secured the third position, earning SAR180,000 Saudi Riyals, and Mohammed Mufid Al-Azza from Indonesia claimed the fourth spot and received SAR170,000. Siraj Al-Din Muammar Kandi from Libya rounded off the top five, receiving a prize of SAR160,000.

Regarding the fourth category, the winners are as follows: Mohammed Ghai from Senegal secured the top position, earning a prize of SAR150,000. Hatem Abdulhamid Falah from Libya claimed the second spot, receiving an award of SAR140,000, and Yassin Abdulrahman from Uganda achieved the third position, with a prize of SAR130,000. Mashfiqur Rahman from Bangladesh attained the fourth position and was granted SAR120,000 while rounding off the top five, Abdulkader Yousef Mohammed from Somalia received a prize of SAR110,000.

As for the fifth category, Elias Abdou from the country of Larionion secured the first position, earning a prize of SAR65,000 while the second place went to Ibrahim Shahbandari from India who was awarded SAR60,000. Marwan bin Shalal from the Netherlands achieved the third position, receiving SAR55,000, and Mustafa Sinnanovic from Bosnia and Herzegovina attained the fourth position and received SAR50,000. Lastly, Hassib Amrullah from North Macedonia took fifth place, earning a prize of SAR45,000.

Before earning recognition at the 43rd King Abdulaziz International Competition of Holy Quran, Ibrahim Shahbandri showcased his remarkable talents on a global stage in July 2016. At just eight years old, Ibrahim was awarded the prestigious title of “Preacher of the Nation” in an Arabic religious sermon contest held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Ibrahim’s astonishing oratory skills astounded both the predominantly Arabic-speaking audience and judges as he outshone more than 70 contestants to clinch this coveted title. The contest was an integral part of the 13th annual Ramadan Forum, hosted by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.

source:http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate / Home> News / by The Cognate News Desk / September 07th, 2023

Renowned researcher, author Dr. Shamsul Islam, to deliver BV Kakkilaya Inspired Oration 2023

NEW DELHI:

Mangaluru:

Renowned researcher, author, and former Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Delhi, Dr. Shamsul Islam, is scheduled to deliver the BV Kakkilaya Inspired Oration for 2023. The oration, titled “Joint Martyrdoms, Joint Heritage of 1857 War of Independence,” will take place on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Ravindra Kalabhavana, University College, Mangaluru.

The annual BV Kakkilaya Inspired Orations serve as a tribute to the life and contributions of Sri BV Kakkilaya (1919-2012). Kakkilaya was a freedom fighter, a leader in the Karnataka unification movement, a prominent figure in the Communist Party of India and All India Trade Union Congress, a member of the first Rajya Sabha, and the Karnataka State Assembly.

He was also an award-winning writer and thinker. The oration aims to promote alternative thoughts and approaches to address the challenges faced by the underprivileged masses in India. The event is organized by Hosatu Monthly, Bangalore, MS Krishnan Trust, Bangalore, and Samadarshi Vedike, Mangalore, in collaboration with the Department of History, University College, Mangaluru.

During the event, Dr. Shamsul Islam’s book, “The Untold Amazing Stories of 1857,” will be released in its Kannada translation, titled “Bharatada Modala Swatantrya Sangrama 1857 – Helade Ulida Adbhuta Kathegalu.” The book is translated by Dr. B.R. Manjunath and published by Navakarnataka Publications. Dr. Jayaraj Amin, Vice Chancellor of Mangalore University, will have the honor of unveiling the translated work.

Additionally, the event will feature the publication of the names of 128 martyrs from Karnataka, who hailed from diverse backgrounds including various castes, religions, sects, and socio-economic strata. These martyrs gave their lives during the 1857-58 anti-British revolts. Dr. Shamsul Islam compiled this list from national archives, and the occasion will be marked with tributes to these brave individuals.

The public is warmly welcomed to attend this significant event.

source: http://www.varthabharati.in/ Vartha Bharati / Home> Karnataka / by Vartha Bharati / September 09th, 2023

Saudi Arabia’s Global NRIs Youth Club fetes Indian expat, Hyderabad’s Hafiz Abdullah Abdul Mateen Usmani, the First Prize Winner of Annual Qur’an contest

Hyderabad, TELANGANA / SAUDI ARABIA :

Global NRI Official presenting a memento to Hafiz Abdullah Abdul Mateen Usmani, presented by Azmat Ali Emran and Syed Abdul Hadi / SG Photo by Abdul Rahman M Baig

Jeddah:

Hafiz Abdullah Abdul Mateen Usmani, winner of the annual Qur’an memorization contest organized by Jamiat Khairokum Li Tahfizul Qur’an Kareem (Khairokum Qur’an Memorization Society) for Makkah region, was recently felicitated by the Global NRIs Youth Club here.

Abdullah Usmani won the first prize from among 1,000 participants out of which 13 candidates were bracketed in the category of those securing between 95 and 99 marks. In the ensuing round involving the 13 finalists of the competition, he was declared the winner.

Abdullah Usmani was presented a car by Jeddah Governor Prince Mishaal Bin Majed.

Jamia Al Khairiya Li Tahfiz-ul-Qur’an Kareem is a semi government institution and center established for the students to memorize and recite the Holy Qur’an. It holds the competition every year to encourage students and other participants.

Hafiz Abdullah Usmani is an Indian and belongs to the city of Hyderabad in Telangana state.

Syed Abdul Hadi, vice president of Global NRIs Youth Club, presented a Mishla’h (an adornment cloak wore by men) to Hafiz Abdullah Usmani as a token of appreciation. It was followed by a memento presented by Azmat Ali Emran, president of the club. Bouquets were presented to the contest winner by Fysal Ali, Farhan Baig and Syed Khaja Viqaruddin.

Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Hafiz Abdullah Usmani said: “It took me four years to memorize the Holy Qur’an. I was 11 years old when I started the memorization.”

He is also the alumnus of IISJ from the batch of 2017. Initially he was admitted to Muaz Bin Jabal School where he memorized about one/sixth of the Qur’an. Later he got enrolled in Dar Ul Furqan School from where he completed his memorization of the Holy Qur’an while learning Tajweed. He completed the memorization of the Qur’an four years back. It was last year when the Masjid Al-Aziziyah officials advised him to appear for the Qur’an memorization contest.

Hafiz Abdullah Usmani took the opportunity and appeared from Masjid Al-Aziziyah under the supervision of Sheikh Hamza Rayyan, imam and khateeb of the mosque.

Abdullah Usmani continued with his worldly pursuits along with his Qur’an memorization and took an open school examination from 6th to 8th standard from IISJ. He became a regular student of IISJ from 9th standard after completing his Qur’an memorization.

Initially, he started memorizing of Holy Qur’an on the instructions of his mother. Later after getting admitted in Muaz Bin Jabal School he gained interest in memorizing and was very much motivated by seeing his peers doing so.

While memorizing the Qur’an, he got a chance to meet Sheikh Ayman Rushdi Suwaid, and learned Tajweed from him. He is known to be the Sheikh Ul Tajweed in Jeddah. In his early days of memorizing Qur’an, he used to listen to the Qirat of Sheikh Abdurrehman Al-Sudais and learned the ayats (verses) of the Qur’an that made him memorize the Qur’an faster.

Talking about his future plans, Abdullah Usmani said he would like to learn more Arabic, Islamic history and Qur’an. He said he was interested in pursuing advance accounting courses and build his career. He also has plans to lead Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan in any of the mosques of Jeddah.

Listening to the recitation of Sheikh Meshary Alafasy, Sheikh Mohammed Ayub and Sheikh Al-Sudais helped him learn the correct pronunciation and also helped him in the memorization process.

Speaking to Saudi Gazette, the award winner’s father, Abdul Mateen Usmani, said: “I would first thank and express my gratitude to Almighty Allah for the honor bestowed on my son.”

In this context, he said, efforts of Jamia Tahfiz-ul-Quran was exceptional. “This prize is more than a hundred billion dollar for me. I have not even dreamt that my son Abdullah will be winning the first prize.”

He said all his children initially received their early education having British curriculum. “Me and my wife decided that we will invest money on good education for our children. All my children were enrolled in Al-Waha International School for their primary education. It was my wife’s plan that we will encourage Abdullah to be a Hafiz. So after completing 5th standard, we removed Abdullah from the school and admitted him in the institute for Qur’an memorization. I was a little reluctant but my wife played a major role in making my son Hafiz.

“I advise all unmarried as well as married people not to waste or kill their time by watching movies and TV serials and spoil their future but instead focus on their education both for the deen (religion) and duniya (world). Even the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that one should give priority to the Seerah of anbiya (prophets).”

He said his wife started attending religious classes with other women in our neighborhood soon after she landed in Jeddah. She sacrificed her sleeping hours during daytime to attend these classes.

“It’s the parents responsibility to mold their children as they want. One can lay the right foundation from the word go,” he said.

Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Azmat Ali Emran, president of Global NRIs Youth Club said: “It’s an honor for our club to be the first to felicitate Hafiz Abdullah Abdul Mateen Usmani.”

Syed Abdul Hadi, vice president, said: “Abdullah made the Indians and specially the people of Hyderabad very proud by winning this award. I would like to thank Allah the Almighty and also congratulate his parents on behalf of Global NRIs Youth Club.”

source: http://www.saudigazette.com.sa / Saudi Gazette / Home / by Abdul Rahiman M Baig, Saudi Gazette / Headline edited / September 18th, 2018

Meher Sheikh wins the ‘Emerging Female Influencer in Media Industry’ Award

UTTAR PRADESH:

Tennis player James Blake
Meher Sheikh wins the ‘Emerging Female Influencer in Media Industry’ Award

New Delhi :

The 12th Edition of Entrepreneur Awards, an initiative by Entrepreneur India Magazine took place on September 20, 2022.

The platform recognizes the most influential, path-breaking entrepreneurs who do something out of the box and break stereotypes.

Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor graced the occasion and spoke about her debut as an entrepreneur.At the 12th edition of Entrepreneur Awards, a new category was introduced to commemorate emerging media companies. And this year, Meher Sheikh won the award in the category ‘Emerging Female Influencer in Media Industry’. Narain Kartikeyan, India’s 1st Formula One Driver who’s now the Founder and CEO of DriveX, presented the award to the uber-talented Meher Sheikh.

Meher Sheikh is a media entrepreneur and digital creator, she was a Sports Anchor with News 24 and she started her career as a fashion merchandiser. Meher is the Founder and CEO of Nikology a Youtube Channel with a subscriber base of 02 Million.

Nikology is an initiative of Papr Network that runs its operations from Noida Filmcity in Uttar Pradesh.

Meher is successfully hosting 2 shows on Nikology ‘Totally Unapologetic With Meher Sheikh’ and The Aatmanirbhar Bharat Show’. Both the series received a great response from the viewers and preps for a bigger and better season 02 is underway.”I am very happy to be recognized as an influential media entrepreneur. It’s just the beginning of a new era for content creators because the content industry is continuously facing disruption, with the emergence of OTT, mobile and digital penetration across Bharat, India has seen a shift in the way content is consumed today. Every big network is shifting its focus on the digital front by launching their own OTT platforms, podcasts and having a presence on Youtube etc”.

“I have huge plans for my viewers and aspiring entrepreneurs, we at Papr Network aim to be game changers for digital creators and new entrepreneurs”.

Some of the other winners of this prestigious award were Navya Naveli Nanda, Founder, Project Naveli and Co-founder, Aara Health, Aditya Ghosh Co-Founder, Akasa Air, Aman Gupta of Boat, Vineeta Singh of Sugar Cosmetics, Sandeep Nailwal Co-Founder, Polygon.

This story has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/PNN)

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Content> Press Release ANI/ PNN / September 21st, 2022

‘The Urdu Poetry Project’ and the semantics of composite culture

UTTAR PRADESH / NEW DELHI:

New Delhi :

With roots in Uttar Pradesh, both these Delhi-based artists come from families whose values can be traced back to the Ganga Jamuni tehzeeb. Growing up during the 1990s, visual artist Taha Ahmad and theatre practitioner Wamiq Zia carry a nostalgia where a composite culture that was celebrated across the length and breadth of the country, where cultural identity was always stronger than the religious one.

The ‘Urdu Poetry Project’ is a manifestation of the belonging of the two individuals who come from a world where individuals were identified on the basis of the language they spoke, and not their places of worship.

An ode to Urdu poetry, the common passion shared by the two artists, the project sheds light on how the language is looked upon today, under the pretext of the current socio-political context in India.

Fifteen Urdu poets have been chosen ranging from Amir Khusro to Faiz Ahmad Faiz, and they intend to follow this project with more multi-arts projects based on the other forms of literature.

Essentially, the idea for this project came from the evening conversations, the two artists would have, with most of them being focused on literature and specifically around Urdu poetry.

Being the practitioners of their own arts, all these discussions were full of ideas around the different ghazals and nazms and how the two artists looked at them from the perspective of the art forms that they practiced.

“We have tried to visually represent the journey of Urdu poetry across the ages, in a free-flowing manner creating a historical timeline. The fusion of the different art forms is visible in the way these art pieces are being designed. Through carefully curated photographs, the project tries to visually represent 15 couplets by the 15 greats of Urdu poetry chosen for the project. The photographs are a modern interpretation as well as a representation of the couplets chosen set in today’s timeline amidst the current socio-political state of the language,” Zia, who has actively been doing theatre for the past 15 years and writes for OTT and films tells IANS.

The photographs when put together as a series will take the form of a personal letter written by a father to his daughter, the father will be a metaphor for the composite culture that the society has been a witness to, whereas, the daughter will be one for the new world.

The letters will present the father’s wish to share his legacy with his daughter. Its parts will be written by different calligraphers on each of the photographs.

Considering Urdu calligraphy and script have witnessed a massive decline over the past decades, this will be an ode to the two arts by the creators of this project.

Every photograph will have a part of the letter that talks about that era, the story of the language, and the legacy of the couplet, hence, an attempt is being made to narrate a complete story through each of these photographs.

Ahmad, the first Indian to receive The Documentary Project Fund/Award (2017) and Toto-Tasveer Award for Photography (2018) says art has always been an effective tool of resistance and highlighting issues.

“There is always a purpose behind creating an art piece that addresses certain political and social issues. Or reinterpret different social structures of the society offering alternate understandings of certain events and dimensions. All of this put together becomes a force of political and social change. The potency of an art piece lies in its capacity to transcend cultural, and linguistic barriers. Let us not forget art has a purpose — to comment on society, and what is going on around us. Raise awareness about different horrors. Interventions like these are a statement and commentary on societal issues,” adds the visual artist.

Stressing that artistic interventions have become important in the face of contemporary socio-political trends, the theatre artist also feels they are non-accusatory in nature and non-confrontational. “I am talking to the audience in a language that we both speak in and that is why poems and songs and art pieces become a rallying point in social movements. Art has always been a rallying point for the common man and some of the best art pieces have been written then and instead of fighting, we should put up a mirror and take a call for what we want to do.”

In times when languages are being interlinked with religions, the artists say it must be remembered that language is a representative of culture, and culture and language are two very different things.

“Krishna has been narrated in Urdu more than any other language and it is important to see things in perspective, that’s the point of a project like this and we want to keep hitting the nail and communicating that and I don’t know how much of an impact will it make but if we can get people to talk about it then I consider us successful,” Zia smiles.

Both artists have known each other since 2015 and worked on many ideas together including film scripts. “In between different ideas is how ‘The Urdu Project’ was born. And it is not only about us, but also our team Niharika, Ashi, Azad, Shariq, and KD. Well, the project has been a roller coaster and we have plans of massive projects and with bigger casts as well,” they add.

Even as artists are breaking silos and increasing collaboration across genres, like in their case, Zia says the same ensures diverse ideas, perspectives, and approaches to the table. “This cross-pollination of ideas, creativity mediums, and processes leads to fresh interpretations and novel techniques. I am seeing unconventional artistic solutions to problems in society. While this is not something very new, but offers immense possibilities nevertheless.” — IANS

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Culture / August 31st, 2023