Srinagar, Oct 1: Iqbal Public High School, Soura, organised an inter-school competition on Thursday, drawing participation from students of several government and private schools.
The competition, held in two sessions, featured an essay-writing contest followed by a quiz on the life and poetry of Allama Iqbal.
Rabia Arafat of R.P. School, Malabagh, emerged first in both competitions. In the essay competition, Zuha Bint Manzoor of Oves Garden School, Bota Kadal, secured second place, while Aneesa Muzaffar of Iqbal Public High School, Soura, finished third.
In the Iqbal quiz, Noreen Khadija of Iqbal Public High School secured second place, while Umair Ali of Standard Public School, Ghassi Yar, bagged third position.
The quiz was conducted by Dr Hafiz Shah Nawaz, associate professor in the Department of Persian, University of Kashmir, under the supervision of Iqbal scholar Dr Syed Majeed Andrabi.
The chief guest was Prof Ihtisham-ul-Haq, head of the Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir. Advocate Abdul Rashid Hanjura, president of the J&K Urdu Council, was the guest of honour.
The programme began with Quran recitation by a Class 6 student and Hafiz-e-Quran from Ilahiya School, followed by a patriotic song presented by students of Iqbal Public High School.
Welcoming the participants, school secretary Javed Matji said the event was organised to encourage students from different schools to learn about Iqbal’s life and engage with his poetry, philosophy and ideas.
Five topics related to Iqbal Studies were given to participants in the essay-writing competition. The papers were evaluated by a three-member panel headed by Dr Jowhar Qadoosi, with Shahbaz Hakbari and Abdul Salam Kausari as members.
Students from Ilahiya Educational Institute, Boys High School Nowhatta, Greenwood School, Government Girls Higher Secondary School Kothi Bagh, Girls Middle School Kothi Bagh, Green Valley Educational Institute, Oves Garden School, Crescent Public School, Islamia Higher Secondary School Rajouri Kadal, Government Girls Higher Secondary School Soura, Standard Public School, Government Girls Higher Secondary School Nawa Kadal, R.P. School Malabagh, Boys Higher Secondary School Zaddibal, Iqbal Public High School Soura and Government Girls Higher Secondary School Ranawari participated in the competitions.
Prof Ihtisham and other dignitaries distributed trophies, medals and certificates among the winners. Several teachers and students of Iqbal Public High School were also recognised for their performance in various fields.
Prof Ihtisham congratulated the school management for organising the programme, while Principal Tabsum Jaan congratulated all participants and extended her best wishes to the position holders.
The proceedings were conducted by Fauqia Farooq and the vote of thanks was presented by Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Ganai.
The school also acknowledged the cooperation extended by Rahem Voluntary Organization and its office-bearers in organising the event.
