Kuwait: Indian Muslim Welfare Association (IMWA-Kuwait) held awards conferral on Friday, Feb 5, for the winners of its annual Islamic Competitions at Omer bin Khattab Auditorium of Rawdah, Kuwait. A total of 86 best performers have been conferred with awards and certificates in a spectacular evening program which was attended by the school children, teachers, parents and general public.

Dr. Ahmed Hussain Gazi, the event convener, gave a quick introduction to IMWA Islamic Competitions in his inaugural address. Mir Ibrahim Ali Khan emphasized on the role of parents in upbringing their children and making them achieving excellence in Islamic and academic studies.

The Counsellor for Community Affairs at the Indian Embassy in Kuwait K. Narsing Rao commended IMWA’s activities and congratulated the winners. Mr. Rao also commended the achievements of the Indian expatriate community living in Kuwait. He underscored the dedication and hard work of the community which continued to contribute towards the economical development of India and the host country Kuwait. He also said that the Indians living in Kuwait have come from different parts of India with different cultural and social background yet they maintain unity in diversity. He mentioned about various commendable programs the Embassy has introduced in Kuwait for the welfare of Indian expatriates working in Kuwait. Mr. K.N. Rao was the chief guest at the awards conferral.

Siddique Valiyakath, the president of Federation of Indian Muslim Associations (FIMA) said IMWA has been doing a great job among Indian Muslim Community in Kuwait. He said IMWA is a unique association which has members from all over India, and applauded its services to the community in finding and promoting the young talents from various schools. Mr. Valiyakath congratulated the students who won prizes and wished them best of luck. During his speech he commended IMWA for its diversified activities like Islamic lectures, social welfare, school based competitions, family Iftar during Ramadan, educational activities, health seminars, iftar at different labor camps, Eid get-togethers etc.

Group performance by the little girls from India International School for the Urdu song “lab pe aati hai dua ban ke tamanna meri” was one of the main attractions at the awards conferral session. Some of the award winning young talents Ehab Fysal, Manar Assad Khan, Mafaza Sharafuddin, Mohammed Nihal and others exhibited their exceptional performances which received applauds from the audience.

Dr. Mohammed Naeemuddin the joint treasurer of IMWA performed vote of thanks. Munazza Sharafuddin and Farheen Sabah jointly convened the program. A group of children from India International School played national anthems of India and the host country Kuwait next to the recitation from the verses of Holy Qur’an to mark the commencement of awards conferral.

IMWA Islamic Competitions is a unique annual event in Kuwait open to the school children. This year’s competitions held in Indian Public School which was attended by approximately 400 enthusiastic children from 23 different schools. The participation of children belonging to 14 countries makes it an international event hosted by IMWA this year, said Dr. Ahmad Hussain Gazi, the event convener.

: A Quick Overview

IMWA was established in 1994 by a group of elite Indian Muslims living in the host country Kuwait.  IMWA provides a common platform for the Indian Muslim Community to work together and promote the value of brotherhood whilst adhering to the philosophy of national integrity.

IMWA is an all India body having members from all over India, maintains liaison with the Indian Embassy and people of Kuwait.  IMWA is a non profitable organization and registered with the Embassy of India in Kuwait.

It is in 1995 the visionary leaders of IMWA could successfully unite all the Muslim associations operating in Kuwait under a single umbrella, to conduct an "Educational & Socio Economic Development Seminar".  This Seminar later paved the way for the formation of FIMA, the Federation of Indian Muslim Associations in Kuwait.

IMWA is a pioneer association to conduct mega event like "Health Awareness and Oral Health Seminar" in Kuwait, which prompted other associations to organize such seminars and medical camps.  IMWA also conducts Educational Meets, Debates and Lecture Series by Islamic Scholars of international repute.  IMWA was the first association to invite the renowned orator and scholar of comparative religion, Dr. Zakir Naik to Kuwait.  It also has hosted Da'wah lectures of Islamic Scholars like Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips, Dr. Jamal Badawi etc.  A number of souvenirs on different occasions have also been published by IMWA.

IMWA’s "Ramadan Competition" is a very popular yearly event that takes place in the State of Kuwait during the holy month of Ramadan.   Hundreds of enthusiastic students from more than 20 Indian and non-Indian schools participate in this competition. The Competition is comprised of Qur’an Recitation, Elocution and Islamic Quiz.  The winners are conferred with awards in a separate function for encouraging them further.

IMWA regularly conducts socio-welfare programs, like Iftar Camps, Welcome Ramadan and Eid Milan every year for member families.

Women’s Cell of IMWA organizes exclusive programs for ladies inviting scholars from Kuwait and abroad and holds Islamic lectures on women related topics.  The Cell also conducts workshops on cooking and other housekeeping topics.

IMWA’s operational procedures are stipulated in its documented constitution.  IMWA cooperates with fellow associations in promoting common cause and is a founder member of FIMA.  IMWA plans to expand its area of activities and reach out to more and more people in days to come.