For the second year running, Islamic Thought organised an essay competition involving scholars from Qum, Mashad and Syria. This year Islamic Thought received 271 essays from Urdu speaking brothers and sisters of Indian and Pakistani origin. There were also over a hundred essays received from just sisters. On 14th September 2006 (20th Shaaban 1427) a seminar entitled 'Ma'arife Nahjul Balagha' (The Recognition of Nahjul Balagha) was held in Madressah Imam Khomeini Qum, where the prizes were awarded to all participants.

The first prize was 200,000 tomans, the second 150,000 tomans and the third prize was for 100,000 toman. The winner of the first prize was Maulana Muhammed Akram, the second Maulana Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi and the third to Sister Kulsum Zahra. The next 5 runner ups were awarded 40,000 Toman each. The next 12 essays were given 25000, the next 39 essays were given 20,000, then 128 people were given 12000 and 84 people were given 10,000. Altogether Islamic Thought awarded all participants with 4 and a half million Toman.

A book with the best 18 essays was published under the name of 'Ta'aleemat-e-Nahjul Balagha' (Teachings of Nahjul Balagha) and was released on the day of the seminar. This was the 2nd such book to be printed containing the essays. Last year's book contained 8 essays.

Ayatullah Karimi Jahromi was the main speaker at the seminar and Hujjatul Muslimeen Agha A'arafi, the representative of Ayatullah Khamanei in the Hawza was the chief guest. The chairman of Islamic Thought, Maulana Maqbool Hussain Alavi was also present. The programme was attended by 500 people including over 150 sisters. Food was also served after the event.

Islamic Thought is very appreciative of the hard work done b y the scholars of Hawza-e-Ilmiya Qum in organising this event. They included Maulana Liaqat Ali, Hujjatul Islam Maulana Abid Hussain Shujai, Maulana Anis-ul-Hasan, Brother Musa Reza, Syed Aqeel Shah and Sister Farwa Abid.

Below are some of the pictures of the event:

(Participants in the seminar hall)

(From left to right: Maulana Maqbool Hussain Alavi, Agha A'arafi and Ayatollah Jahromi)

 

(Agha A'arafi giving his speech)

 

(Ayatollah Jahromi during his speech)

 

(Ayatollah Jahromi)

(Maulana Maqbool Hussain Alavi)

(Maulana Maqbool Hussain Alavi)

 

(Awarding the prizes)

(Competition winner Maulana Muhammed Akram reading his essay)

(Competition runner up Maulana Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi)

(Participants in the seminar)

(Participants in the seminar)

(Book containing 18 essays from 2006 competition)

(Book containing 8 essays from competition 2005)

(Food being served after the seminar)