A prestigious award ceremony for the national essay writing competition titled “Un Ke Naqsh-e-Qadam Par” was held in Islamabad on Monday to mark the 1500th anniversary of the arrival of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in the world. The event was attended by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Ambassador of Türkiye Dr. Irfan Neziroglu, religious scholars, teachers, students, and distinguished guests from various sectors.
Organized jointly by the Religious Affairs Counselor Office at the Embassy of Türkiye and Diyanet Foundation Türkiye, the competition aimed to promote love for Prophet Muhammad (SAW), encourage the study of Seerat-un-Nabi (SAW), and inspire youth to follow the Prophet’s teachings. According to organizers, the competition engaged hundreds of schools across Pakistan, with 612 students submitting essays. Awards and certificates were distributed among successful participants in middle school and high school categories.
Winners of the Competition
In the Middle School category, first position was secured by Umaima Kashan from Islamabad Model College. Second position went to Abdur Rafi Qayyum of Pak-Turk Maarif International Schools and Colleges Lahore, while third position was awarded to Noor Ahmed from ACE International Academy. In the High School category, first position was clinched by Sukaina Ashfaq from Muslim Hands School of Excellence. Second position was secured by Humaira Taj from Pak-Turk Maarif International Schools and Colleges Islamabad, while third position went to Muhammad Arsal Zeeshan from Pak-Turk Maarif International Schools and Colleges Lahore. Honorable mentions were awarded to Rahmat Nabi Afridi, Yumna Karpuzcu, and Maryam Usman for their outstanding contributions.
Speeches and Messages
Addressing the ceremony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said the teachings and Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) provide solutions to modern-day moral crises, hatred, and divisions. He highlighted the Ministry’s ongoing initiatives, including Seerah conferences, essay and Naat competitions, and Qur’an recitation contests to promote Islamic values and youth development. The minister also praised the strong brotherly ties between Pakistan and Türkiye, describing the relationship as rooted in shared faith, history, and culture.
Speaking on the occasion, Turkish Ambassador Dr. Irfan Neziroglu highlighted the humanitarian and educational work of the Diyanet Foundation in Pakistan, including scholarships, orphan support, mosque projects, disaster relief, and Ramadan assistance programs.
The ceremony concluded with tributes to students, parents, teachers, and organizers, while participants reaffirmed their commitment to promoting the teachings of the Qur’an, Sunnah, and Seerah among the younger generation.
