ASM JAVID AND RUZAIK FAROOK
WATTALA — Gampaha District United Muslim Association ( GDUMA ) had organized the National Reading Month Programme Competition Awards Ceremony at the Wattala Urban Council Auditorium on Saturday October 25.
More than 150 students from 14 Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim schools and Ahadiyya Schools took part in the speech and essay contests and received their awards and certificates
The chief guest was Zeenath Trading Pvt Ltd Chairman A.H.M. Mahir , while the guest of honour was Colombo Times Chief Editor and Arab News Colombo Correspondent Mohammed Rasooldeen .
Moors Islamic Cultural Home President and former Colombo Mayor Omar Kamil, Dr. B.A. Hussainmiya , B.M. Murshideen, former Commissioner of Examinations, M Mohamed, Priyantha Burkey, M H M Yacouth, Alhaj Mass Milhan Sadar and Dr M S Shafraz were among the other guests present at the event.
The welcome address was delivered by GDUMA Treasurer M K Jumat while the opening address was made by GDUMA President M R.Mohideen.and the vote of thanks was proposed by S C Fousdeen.
In his keynote address, Mahir told the students to take up challenges with courage and confidence and advised parents to take a positive approach in bringing up their children. He also recalled the life history of Benjamin Franklyn who became an inventor even after he was thrown out of school for his poor performance.
Zahira College Staff Mrs. Shazna Naleem also addressed the gathering and students of Firdhousiya Ahadiyya School recited the Qaseeda.
The organizers presented a memento to the chief guest A.H.M. Mahir and guest of honour Mohammed Rasooldeen at the end of the ceremony.
Pic. by : M.S. Saleem
