Mangaluru: In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Iqra Arabic School, Mangaluru, successfully organized a district-level Hifz-ul-Quran competition for students from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. The event took place on the school campus in Kankanady, starting at 9 AM and concluding at 5:30 PM, with a concluding program held at 6 PM. The competition saw enthusiastic participation from around 15 different educational institutions.

Following thorough online and offline preliminary tests, 25 finalists were shortlisted for the grand finale. The competition was divided into three categories based on the number of Juz memorized: *10 Juz, 20 Juz, and 30 Juz.

10 Juz Category:

  • 1st Place: Mohammed Ismail Mandal, son of Abul Farak Mandal (Iqra Arabic School, Mangaluru)

  • 2nd Place: Umar Ahmad P, son of Muhammad Ijaz P (Peace Public School, Kallapu)

  • 3rd Place: Eisa Rabah Ruknuddin, son of Abdul Rafi Ruknuddin (Iqra Arabic School, Mangaluru)

20 Juz Category:

  • 1st Place: Owais Mohsin, son of Musthafa Kempi (Iqra Arabic School, Mangaluru)

  • 2nd Place: Muhammad Arsh, son of Badruddin (Al Bayan Arabic College)

  • 3rd Place: Kazi Abdulla Taqi, son of Kazi Abdul Basith (Iqra Arabic School, Mangaluru)

30 Juz Category:

  • 1st Place: Syed Muwawiya Qadri, son of Sayed Ibrahim Qadri (Jamia Darussunnah, Shiroor)

  • 2nd Place: Abdul Hannan, son of Saalim Khalifa (Iqra Arabic School, Mangaluru)

  • 3rd Place: MD Samir Alam, son of MD Alamgir (Al Ma'arif Educational Trust, Karkala)

The event highlighted the dedication of the students to memorizing the Holy Quran and reflected the institution's commitment to fostering Islamic education. The organizers expressed their gratitude to all participants and congratulated the winners for their exceptional efforts.

The prize distribution program was held at 6 PM, where the winners were announced, and a total cash prize of ₹1,20,000 was awarded. The cash prizes will be formally handed over during the school's 25th anniversary celebration, scheduled for May 2025.

The conclusion program was graced by the esteemed presence of Mufti Riyaz ur Rahman Rashadi, Khateeb of Shameer Masjid, Carstreet, Mangaluru.

Consolation prizes were given to all participants. The program was presided over by the Principal, Maulana Saalim Khalifa Nadwi, Vice Principal Maulana Dawood Khalifa Nadwi, Hifz Department Head Qari Razaul Kareem, and Program Convenor Mohammed Farhan Nadwi.

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Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.

Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.

Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.

An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.

The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.

A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.

Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."

"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.

"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.

A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.