Pakistan school marks the day in style

As schools across the country are celebrating Saudi National Day this week with different programs, the Riyadh-based Pakistan International School English Section (PISES) adopted a different approach and celebrated the day with a marathon debate and costume show depicting the rich Saudi history and heritage. Children arrived at the PISES yesterday to celebrate the day with tiny flags, wearing traditional thowb, sirwal, gutra, shumagh and bisht.
Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Tanveer, PISES acting principal, said that a large number of PISES students participated in the event. The students spoke about the rich history, heritage and culture of the Kingdom that were shaped by its Islamic values and heritage.
“Saudi society has experienced tremendous development over the past several decades,” said Tanveer, adding that Saudi people had taken their values and traditions — their customs, hospitality and even their style of dress — and adapted them to the modern world in a commendable manner.
Speaking at an assembly convened by the school, Hassan Abdullah, an 8th grade student, underscored the achievements of Late King Faisal and paid tribute to his contributions, especially in the domains of foreign policy, women empowerment, irrigation system and launching the first television channel ever in the Kingdom. “The establishment of the first Islamic University in Madinah was another hallmark of King Faisal’s era,” said Abdullah.
He further pointed out that King Faisal was given front-page coverage by ‘Time’ magazine honoring him as a stalwart and visionary leader of modern times. Inzimam Tahir, another student, commended the efforts exerted by the Saudi government in uplifting the standards of education in the Kingdom. The celebration was taken to a feverish pitch when Saquib-ur Rahman and Sami Ahmed played the Saudi national song with the help of multimedia tools.
All students and teachers gave standing ovation to Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, when he was shown kissing small Saudi children in hospital beds in a visual clip screened in the program. Hamza Hamid, a 9th grade student, presented a comparative study of industrial development of Saudi Arabia with special reference to industrialization in Yanbu and Jubail. The program started with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Hafiz Abdullah Amin, followed by English translation of the Qur’anic verses by another student Inzimam Tahir.
Ghulam Mujtaba, who conducted the program, highlighted the importance of the Saudi national day. Hisaam Hafeez was the last speaker, who spoke on the progressively growing Pak-Saudi relations. Another student, Asif Syal, coordinator of the boys’ wing, also spoke on this occasion. The celebrations came to an end with the Saudi national anthem sung by Abdullah Younas, Khalid Tarq and Zawar Idrees.