KUPWARA: Govt Degree College (GDC) Kupwara Saturday organised a one day inter-college seminar on the theme ‘Message of Ramadan in fostering Peace and Harmony’. The seminar was marked by two special guest lectures by Mufti Bashir Ahmed Qasmi and Mufti Mohammad Ashraf Geelani and an inter-college speech competition. Prof. Mohdmmad Shafi Lone, Principal GDC Baramulla was the chief guest at the event.
Principal of the host college, Prof. (Dr.) Abdul Rashid Malik in his address spoke about the importance and objectives of the seminar. He highlighted how the month of Ramadan aims at shaping ideal human beings following the principled life of peace and harmony.
A special lecture was given by Mufti Bashir Ahmed Qasmi who referred to the relationship of Ramadan and the holy Quran in spreading the message of peace and harmony. He highlighted how the revelation of the holy Quran during the month of Ramadan brought about a radical transformation in Arab society of the time by replacing anarchy and lawlessness with peace and harmony.
Quoting different verses and sayings of Prophet Mohammad (SAW), he highlighted how the month of Ramadan aims at shaping human lives regulated by the values of peace, sympathy, and harmony. He emphasized the need of current society in following up the same values so that the world becomes a better place to live in.
This was followed by the inter-college speech competition in which students from various colleges participated. Student speakers were keenly evaluated by a jury comprising Dr. Gauhar Ahmed Wani, Assistant Professor Islamic Studies GDC Sogam, and two faculty members from the college Dr. Irshad Ahmad Lone, Head Department of Chemistry and Prof. Mudasir Agha, Assistant Professor Department of Urdu.
The speech competition was followed by another special lecture by Mufti Mohammad Ashraf Geelani. Referring to the theme of the seminar, he expounded how fasting during Ramadan aims at character building of individuals by its insistence on practicing the values of discipline, patience and surrendering of one's ego.
He explained that man being at the centre of the universe can make the world a peaceful place to live in only by practicing the values of peace, cooperation, and discipline. Chief guest on the occasion, Principal GDC Kupwara said the best message of Ramadan for humanity is in making humans learn and respect the values of peace and contentment.
The lecture was followed by an award ceremony for student participants in inter-college speech competition. Rabia Khaliq from GDC Women's Kupwara, Naveed Ul Islam from GDC Kupwara and Nowsheen Zahoor from GDC Handwara bagged 3rd, 2nd and 1st positions respectively. Awards and Certificates were distributed among the position holders and other participants.
