Latest news with #HolyQuran
Gulf Today
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Sharjah Children hosted 110 special events in H1
In line with its mission to build a capable and creative generation, Sharjah Children, an affiliate of Rubu' Qarn for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators, organised more than 110 specialised programmes and events in the first half of 2025, reaching over 8,300 children aged 6 to 12. Around 3,800 participants engaged in nearly 100 specialised programmes focused on developing children's creative and leadership abilities in their areas of interest. In sports, children participated in activities such as climbing (a first-time experience), advanced sports workshops, and competitions in football, judo, taekwondo, athletics, and swimming. Artistic workshops, including visual arts led by Najat Makki, AI art blending heritage and technology, 3D art, and palm-themed sessions, saw strong attendance. In literature and languages, children took part in workshops like Fantasy World for creative writing and Journey with the Quran in collaboration with the Sharjah Foundation for the Holy Quran and Sunnah, learning recitation, tajweed, and meanings. Science and technology programmes, such as Kumon and Emirati Coder, promoted analytical thinking and tech skills. Life skills were cultivated through practical workshops in sewing, carpentry, recycling, and expressive communication, including sessions for Sharjah Children's Shura members. Performing arts, music, seasonal camps, and joint initiatives with Rubu' Qarn entities were also included. The institution held 14 major events, attracting over 4,500 children. These included the Sports and Arts Festival, Fun Cart, Emirati Children's Day, and participation in the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, as well as educational and community outreach initiatives. In competitions, around 500 children participated in 20 local and international contests, winning 30 prizes and medals. Highlights included the Arab Judo Championship in Jordan, UAE Taekwondo Championship, Sheikha Latifa Award for Childhood Creativity, and various art and environmental contests. Noura Al Shamsi, Deputy Director of Sharjah Children, said the accomplishments of the first half reflect the institution's commitment to empowering children and nurturing their talents. 'We believe the child is the seed of change and the maker of the future,' she said, adding that tailored, interactive, and educational programmes are designed to meet children's needs and spark discovery, expression, and growth. She affirmed that the institution will continue offering innovative experiences and national and international initiatives in the second half of the year to expand children's learning and development opportunities. Recently, Sharjah Children, concluded its spring camp, with the participation of 588 boys and girls aged 6-12. The camp was distinguished by a range of programmes and activities that combined fun and learning. The aim was to harness their energy and equip them with various skills through workshops, and scientific, sports, recreational, and artistic programmes held within the approved frameworks of the foundation. The goal was to ensure that their time was spent in a beneficial and enjoyable manner. The camp included more than 23 activities and workshops. These included reading workshops aimed at fostering creativity and exploring new and advanced reading skills among the participants. Notable workshops included 'Glowing Tales,' 'Ramadan in the Emirates,' and 'Star and Crescent Tales.' The participants also took part in various specialised activities and workshops in the life skills track, such as the Values Ambassadors workshop, My Craft workshop, My Health workshop, My Wooden Wallet workshop, and Needle and Thread workshop, which aimed to teach children sewing and embroidery skills and how to create simple handmade projects like bags and paintings, among other diverse workshops. The sports track witnessed the organisation of various sports activities and games aimed at promoting children's health, physical fitness, and skills development. These included basketball, football, tennis, and chess, in addition to the sports incubator programme and the professional swimming pool. The camp also included several art workshops, where participants were introduced to the skills and fundamentals of photography, understanding its technical and creative tools, and the art of editing. WAM
Sharjah 24
21 hours ago
- General
- Sharjah 24
HQA's third summer program comes to an end
The program was a huge success, attracting over 1,050 participants. Additionally, more than 293,000 people followed the live broadcasts on the academy's social media platforms during various sessions. This strong turnout shows that the community is very interested in summer programs that focus on personal growth and learning, helping individuals enhance their academic, personal, and social skills. During the closing ceremony of the third summer program, Dr Abdullah Khalaf Al Hosani, Secretary General of the Holy Quran Academy, stated that the activities conducted are aligned with the Academy's vision to enhance the scientific and cognitive skills of community members. He noted that the participation observed in these scientific events and summer programs demonstrates the Academy's role in promoting its scientific message, which is connected to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The Academy aims to serve as a scientific and creative hub that supports human advancement and reinforces Sharjah's status as a center dedicated to the study of the Holy Quran, its sciences, and its significant figures. The program featured a variety of training courses and workshops designed to help participants improve their skills in different areas. These included lessons on Quranic calligraphy and decoration, the fundamentals of proper pronunciation and recitation of the Quran (known as Tajweed), personal reflections on experiences with the Quran, and guidance for the future. At the end of the program, Al Hosani recognized and celebrated the strategic partners and exceptional participants from the third summer program. The event was attended by the well-known reciter Hazza Al Belushi and several officials.
Observer
2 days ago
- General
- Observer
Dhofar Holy Quran Forum concludes
SALALAH: The 7th edition of Dhofar Holy Quran Forum concluded at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah. The forum was organised by the Directorate-General of Awqaf and Religious Affairs in Dhofar Governorate. The closing ceremony was held under the auspices of HH Sayyid Marwan bin Turki al Said, Governor of Dhofar, in the presence of Dr Mohammed bin Said al Maamari, Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, and senior government officials. The ceremony included a visual presentation about the development of Quranic teaching from traditional methods to modern digital technologies, in addition to a religious chanting programme. The ceremony also saw the felicitation of 24 winners in the Quran Competition and 40 women who completed the memorisation of the Holy Quran. The forum's activities included working papers that discussed intellectual and educational issues, including the methodology of understanding the Holy Quran. - ONA
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Zain, Lei Wa Lakom partner to promote financial awareness
KUWAIT: Zain Kuwait has announced a new strategic partnership with Lei Wa Lakom, a non-profit initiative dedicated to empowering individuals through financial awareness, knowledge sharing, and community development. This partnership reflects the alignment of both parties' visions in advancing sustainability and community empowerment on both local and regional levels. The agreement was signed at Zain's headquarters in Shuwaikh, joined by Waleed Al-Khashti, Chief Corporate Affairs and Relations Officer at Zain Kuwait, and Taiba Al-Humaidhi, Founder of Lei Wa Lakom, alongside the Zain team. Commenting on the occasion, Waleed Al-Khashti said: 'At Zain, we believe that knowledge is power, and that financial empowerment is one of the keys to building stable communities and sustainable economies. Our partnership with Lei Wa Lakom falls under our sustainability strategy and reflects our deep commitment to supporting initiatives that make a real difference in the lives of individuals and communities.' Taiba Al-Humaidhi expressed her pride in the collaboration, saying: 'We're delighted to have Zain join us on our journey. The alignment in values and vision between us strengthens our ability to reach wider segments of society and to help build communities that are more aware, educated, and equipped to face economic challenges.' KUWAIT: Waleed Al-Khashti and Taiba Al-Humaidhi announce the partnership. The partnership aims to support a number of impactful initiatives led by Lei Wa Lakom, foremost among them the Financial Education Program, which includes engaging workshops and a digital interactive tool that promotes continuous learning. The program is also developing a national Financial Literacy Index, supported by academic partners including the London School of Economics. In addition, the partnership supports knowledge-based and cultural initiatives such as the Sidra platform, which spotlights intellectual leadership in the Gulf region, and an innovative animated awareness series to be broadcast on Kuwait TV and digital platforms to raise awareness about financial literacy among a wider audience. As part of Zain's commitment to supporting education beyond borders, the partnership also includes the Zanzibar Library Project, through which Lei Wa Lakom is establishing a library and cultural center in the heart of Zanzibar. The project will serve more than 200 families and includes a comprehensive library, a Holy Quran recitation center, and a water well, creating an integrated educational and spiritual environment that enhances quality of life and provides the tools for knowledge and growth. This partnership falls within Zain's broader commitment to social responsibility, with a focus on youth empowerment, education, and inclusive development, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Kuwait's New Vision to invest in human capital.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Viral 'honour' killing in Balochistan triggers national outrage
KARACHI: A viral video of the "honour killing" of a woman and her lover in Balochistan has ignited national outrage, prompting scrutiny of long-standing tribal codes and calls for justice in a country where such killings often pass in silence. While hundreds of so-called honour killings are reported in Pakistan each year, often with little public or legal response, the video of a woman and man accused of adultery being taken to the desert by a group of men to be killed has struck a nerve. The video shows the woman, Bano Bibi, being handed a Holy Quran by a man identified by police as her brother. "Come walk seven steps with me, after that you can shoot me," she says, and she walks forward a few feet and stops with her back to the men. The brother, Jalal Satakzai, then shoots her three times and she collapses. Seconds later he shoots and kills the man, Ehsan Ullah Samalani, whom Bano was accused of having an affair with. Once the video of the killings in Balochistan province went viral, it brought swift government action and condemnation from politicians, rights groups and clerics. Civil rights lawyer Jibran Nasir said, though, the government's response was more about performance than justice. "The crime occurred months ago, not in secrecy but near a provincial capital, yet no one acted until 240 million witnessed the killing on camera," he said. "This isn't a response to a crime. It's a response to a viral moment." Police have arrested 16 people in Nasirabad district, including a tribal chief and the woman's mother. The mother, Gul Jan Bibi, said the killings were carried out by family and local elders based on "centuries-old Baloch traditions", and not on the orders of the tribal chief. "We did not commit any sin," she said in a video statement that also went viral. "Bano and Ehsan were killed according to our customs." She said her daughter, who had three sons and two daughters, had run away with Ehsan and returned after 25 days. Police said Bano's younger brother, who shot the couple, remains at large. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said it was a "test" case and vowed to dismantle the illegal tribal courts operating outside the law. Police had earlier said a jirga, an informal tribal council that issues extrajudicial rulings, had ordered the killings. #JusticeForCouple The video sparked online condemnation, with hashtags like #JusticeForCouple and #HonourKilling trending. The Pakistan Ulema Council, a body of religious scholars, called the killings "un-Islamic" and urged terrorism charges against those involved. Dozens of civil society members and rights activists staged a protest on Saturday in the provincial capital Quetta, demanding justice and an end to parallel justice systems. "Virality is a double-edged sword," said Arsalan Khan, a cultural anthropologist and professor who studies gender and masculinity. "It can pressure the state into action, but public spectacle can also serve as a strategy to restore ghairat, or perceived family honour, in the eyes of the community." "In a country where conviction rates often fall to single digits, visibility - and the uproar it brings - has its advantages," said constitutional lawyer Asad Rahim Khan. "It jolts a complacent state that continues to tolerate jirgas in areas beyond its writ." Khan said rather than enforcing the law, the government has spent the past year weakening the judiciary and even considering reviving jirgas in former tribal areas. "It's executive inaction, most shamefully toward women in Balochistan," Khan said. The Prime Minister's Office and Pakistan's information minister did not immediately respond to a request for comment. VIRAL AND THEN FORGOTTEN? The Balochistan killings were raised in Senate, where the human rights committee condemned the murders and called for action against those who convened the jirga. Lawmakers also warned that impunity for parallel justice systems risked encouraging similar violence. Activists and analysts, however, say the outrage is unlikely to be sustained. "There's noise now, but like every time, it will fade," said Jalila Haider, a human rights lawyer in Quetta. "In many areas, there is no writ of law, no enforcement. Only silence." Haider said the killings underscore the state's failure to protect citizens in under-governed regions like Balochistan, where tribal power structures fill the vacuum left by absent courts and police. "It's not enough to just condemn jirgas," Haider said. "The real question is: why does the state allow them to exist in the first place?"
