PESHAWAR: Girl students from different religious seminaries of the province showed their skills at an art and painting competition held here on Sunday, which was aimed to bring the students of state-run schools and madrassahs together to enable them to serve as ambassadors of peace.

The event was part of the Unicef and PEAD Foundation’s project titled ‘Social cohesion and resilience through educational initiatives’. Students of different seminaries and schools from Swat, Kohat and Peshawar participated in the event.

More than 40 girls students participated in the fabric and paper painting, embroidery and Qirat contests, according to a statement issued here.

Awami National Party leader and former MNA Jameela Gilani was the chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, PEAD executive director Sameena Imtiaz said that madrassah students had immense talent, but they lacked opportunities.

“If given the opportunities, they can contribute a great deal in the country’s development and prosperity,” she added.

A seminary student, Rubina from Swat, said she learnt new skills at the event.

The madressah head, Noor Mahal, praised the event and said the project was helping the deprived classes as no government or non-government organisations took interest in betterment of the madressah students.

Jameela Gilani distributed prizes among the position holders and the participants. She said Pakhtuns had to remove the label of extremism attached to them by showing the world through these activities that they were not extremists.

In the Qirat competition, students of GGHS Mingora got the first prize, Khadija from Iqra Darul Quran, Peshawar, secured second prize and Sabahat from GGHS No 3, Kohat, secured the 3rd position.

In fabric painting, Haseena from Idarah-i-Taleem ul Quran, Pakha Ghulam, got first prize, Hira from the same school second and Hafsa from Darul Uloom Islamia Hanafia, Tehkal Bala, got third position.

In paper painting, Kainat from Iqra Darul Quran Madressah secured first position, Fatima from Darul Quran, Namak Mandi, second and Saba from Iqra Darul Quran Al-Karim third position.

In embroidery contest, Mariam from Darul Quran, Namak Mandi, got first position, Saeeda from Madressah Tul Binaat, Kohat, second and Muhataram from Idarah-i-Taleeemul Quran Lilbinaat, Pakha Ghulam secured third position.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2016