JEDDAH – The Urdu Academy Jeddah celebrated the 24th National Education Day with great fervor at the Indian Consulate in Jeddah, honoring the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first Minister of Education. This annual event underscores Maulana Azad’s invaluable contributions to the Indian education system.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students of various educational institutions in Jeddah, who engaged in speech competitions on diverse topics. Themes ranged from Maulana Azad’s legacy, the role of modern technology in education, and the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) to the social impact of women’s education, artificial intelligence in learning, and the global standard of India’s education system.
Celebrating Excellence and Inclusivity: The Master of Ceremony, Aslam Afghani, commenced the program, which began with the Indian national anthem and the Tarana Hindi, beautifully performed by students of the International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ). The President of Urdu Academy Jeddah, Hafiz Mohammed Abdussalaam, presided over the event, while Chief Guest Mohammad Hashim, Consul (Commerce and PIC), added prestige to the occasion. Distinguished guests, including Shaikh Ibrahim, Chief Patron of Urdu Academy Hyderabad Chapter, and representatives from literary and social organizations, graced the event.
Speech Competitions and Interactive Sessions: The competitions were organized into English and Urdu categories, moderated by Dr. Mirza Qudrath Nawaz Baig and Syed Abdul Wahab Quadri, respectively. Students captivated the audience with their eloquent speeches, showcasing the depth of their knowledge and passion for education.
A highlight of the event was a motivational speech by guest speaker TM Asker Ali Khan, which inspired attendees and was met with resounding applause. Dr. Khaja Yaminuddin enriched the audience with an insightful address on NEP 2020, followed by an engaging Q&A session and a quiz, sparking active participation and enthusiasm among attendees.
Unveiling the Azad Souvenir
As part of the tradition, the Azad Souvenir, documenting the Urdu Academy’s activities and contributions to promoting education and the Urdu language, was unveiled by the Chief Guest. This annual publication serves as a testament to the Academy’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage.
Recognition and Awards:The winners of the competitions were awarded certificates and prizes, celebrating their outstanding performances:
Boys (Urdu Speech): 1st: Mustafa Khan (International Indian School Jeddah), 2nd: Muhammad Abdul Rahman and 3rd: Adeeb Saeed
Boys (English Speech): 1st: Mustafa Khan, 2nd: Abhilash Kundokori and 3rd: Abdul Hameed
Girls (Urdu Speech): 1st: Maryam Fatima (Dauha Ul Uloom International School), 2nd: Sara Asrar and 3rd: Zara Malik
Girls (English Speech): 1st: Husna Khan (Dauha Ul Uloom International School), 2nd: Hessa Maryam and 3rd: Ilma Maryam
Under the leadership of Chief Judge Dr. Yaminuddin, the competitions were judged by an esteemed panel, including Urdu Toastmasters Club members TM Arshad, Muhammad Naseeruddin, and others for Urdu speeches, and TM Aqeel Khan, Riyaz Sharif, and Syeda AJ Ansari for English speeches.
A Collaborative Effort :The event was meticulously organized by the Urdu Academy Jeddah team, including Muhammad Munawwar Khan, Sami Ahmed Farooqui, Gilmen Reza, Mohammed Yousuf Waheed, Mohammed Yahiya , Madam Sirajunnissa Begum and Hafiz Nizamuddin Ghour with the support of volunteers from Darul Ilm Jeddah and IISJ.
“The Vice-President, Syed Mohammed Khalid Hussain Madani, warmly welcomed the guests and expressed gratitude to the sponsors for their support. Meanwhile, the General Secretary, Syed Nayeemuddin Bari, efficiently supervised the event and extended heartfelt thanks to all attendees.”
Live Broadcast: The program was broadcast live on the Urdu Academy Jeddah and AK News Facebook pages, enabling global audiences to participate virtually including our UAJ Patron Abdul Qadeer Hassan Siddiqui and Advisory committee members Eng. Aijaz Ahmed Khan and Mujeeb Siddiqui . This effort was spearheaded by Hafiz Mohammed Nizamuddin Ghouri and Shaikh Aleemuddin.
The 24th National Education Day was a resounding success, blending cultural heritage with modern educational themes. It not only commemorated the contributions of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad but also raised awareness about the evolving landscape of education. Urdu Academy Jeddah continues to inspire future generations by fostering knowledge, cultural pride, and intellectual growth.
