Shining Star of Pakistan: Jawad Nazir Scored Highest Marks in Pearson PTE Exam

“Zara num ho tou yeh matti barri zarkhez hai Saqi” (this land is very fertile, it just need a bit of raindrop/water) - this is absolutely true for the Pakistanis especially the youth of my beloved homeland.

Jawad Nazir Scored Highest Marks in Pearson PTE Exam 

I have shared here few of the achievements of Pakistani students which are not less than international standards by any means. For example, Arfa Karim Randhawa, the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) at the time of certification, and Babar Iqbal, the youngest Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS). 

Another bright student from Pakistan hits a record in educational field. Jawad Nazir, a student from Rawalpindi, neighboring city of Islamabad - the capital of Pakistan, has scored 73 points overall in Pearson PTE examination.

Pearson examination is a new form of exam introduced in Pakistan after TOFEL and IELTS. It is on record that Jawad Nazir has scored maximum in Pearson PTE examination since it has been started in Pakistan.

Jawad Nazir told media that it was not an easy task to go for such an examination which is not popular and does not have enough awareness in masses. He said that online examination system is not very common in Pakistan so it is always a hard task to go for.

Pakistan has the traditional education system in place for decades; although the government is determined to improve the educational systems according to the international standards. Jawad Nazir also said on this that with less then 5% of the budget allocated towards the educational setup each year we can only dream of having enhanced educational system in Pakistan.

Jawad Nazir is also a youth activist and is a founder of local youth managed NGO “Jawad Nazir Trust”. He is working as a professional social worker for last 3 years and has heaps of experience in the field.

Know more about Jawad Nazir and Jawad Nazir Trust.

7th Karachi International Book Fair at Expo Centre, Karachi -- Book Lovers Showed Great Interest in 5-Day Event

KARACHI, Pakistan (Dec. 19) – More than 100,000 people swarmed into the 7th Karachi International Book Fair at the Karachi Expo Centre on Sunday. The 5-day book fair is being organized by the Pakistan Publishers and Book Sellers Association from December 16 to 20, 2011.

7th Karachi International Book Fair at Expo Centre, Karachi

The third day of the 5-day book fair was unbelievably crowded by the book-lover people of Karachi, said PPBA Chairman Aziz Khalid. Despite a weekly holiday, the roads around the venue of Expo Centre were jammed due to the huge traffic, while the parking lot of the venue was also packed to its full capacity. He said that the citizens had taken an advantage of Sunday and participated in the fare, showing their passion and love for books.

He said, “We are thankful to people of the metropolis who have given great response to the international event and proved that they are real lover of books.” In the event, Sindh Information Minister Shazia Mari, Matric Board Chairman Anzar Hussain Zaidi also participated. The information minister also launched a book on Habib Jalib, written by Mujahid Barelvi.

Publishers from America, India, Iran, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey and England are participating in this exhibition at Expo Centre’s hall No. 1, 2 and 3. Around 290 stalls have been set up there. However, Readings Group - a big books’ publisher and seller in Pakistan - has displayed more than 100,000 books on general topics in the fair.

Chairman Readings Group Rana Saeed said, “We have set up the largest book display here with 30 stalls. Readings have a large variety of books in English language, while Readings’ publications are in both English and Urdu languages. We also have imported-books at a nominal price. The largest books’ display covers nearly all topics, such as natural sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, literature, philosophy, poetry, sports, journalism, history, astronomy, geology.”

Talking about the vision of the Readings Group, he said, “We have introduced a new trend of selling and publishing books in the country by starting our journey from Lahore.

Treat for Art Lovers -- ‘Travel Pakistan’ Themed Art Exhibition at NUML, Islamabad

‘Travel Pakistan’ themed art exhibition was held on Monday at National University of Modern Languages (NUML) in Islamabad. The exhibition pleased the art lovers with its exclusive show of latest graphics, traditional art and calligraphy.

‘Travel Pakistan’: Art Exhibition at NUML, Islamabad 

The exhibition, organized by the students of Mass Communication department from NUML, reflecting their talent and showing the amateur strokes of brushes, calligraphy and imagination could become professional with little more effort and guidance. Young artists used the graphics and latest tools of digital media aiming to provide hues and colors of all provinces of Pakistan. The students contributed a number of paintings, calligraphy, posters and photographs.

Wasif Shahid’s beautiful oil paintings of interior Lahore and traditional Islamic calligraphy in medium of gold were also displayed in the exhibition. Moreover, Mass Communication student Noor-e-Sehr published the pictorial illustration of Sufi Tabsum’s poem “Taut Batot”.

Some students appreciated the idea of establishing such exhibition within departments as it would lead them displaying their talent at larger platform.

Eid al-Adha will be celebrated tomorrow (Monday, Nov 07) -- EID MUBARAK to All: Watch video of the biggest cow of Asia

KARACHI, Pakistan (Nov. 06) – Eid al-Adha is an Islamic festival which is celebrated to commemorate the obedience of Prophet Ibrahim towards Allah (S.W.T).

Prophet Ibrahim who was a very aged man had only one son named Ismaeel who was born to him only in his old age. When Allah (S.W.T) commanded him to sacrifice his son, Prophet Ibrahim didn’t hesitate and was about to do so. Allah (S.W.T) accepted his sacrifice and exchanged a goat with his son Ismaeel.

Today Eid al-Adha was celebragted in Middle East, central and far-east Asia and Europe.

Muslims residing in UK and other European countries were also among those who made the day by sacrificing animals. In United States, public slaughter of animals is banned; therefore, people perform the religious duty at Slaughter House.

In addition, Eid is being observed in Philippine, Indonesia, Malaysia and other far-east Asian countries.

In subcontinent, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, Eid al-Adha 2011 will be celebrated tomorrow (Monday, Nov. 07). People are ready to celebrate the big eve with scarifying their animals.

I found the video, shared below, while searching for some material on Eid al-Adha and want to share here with my readers and friends across the globe. Watch video and enjoy!

In the end ….. Wish Happy Eid to All Muslims. EID MUBARAK and …. Don’t forget each other in your supplications and do remember those who need your support the most.

The Hajj (Pilgrimage) – Fifth Pillar of Islam: Watch Hajj 2011 Live From Saudi Arabia on Youtube

The Hajj (Pilgrimage) – Fifth Pillar of Islam:

Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a mandatory act of worship (Ibadat); means to visit the Kaa'ba in Makkah on the specified dates in the month of Zul-Hijjah (Dhul-Hijjah) and perform the religious rites in accordance with the Islamic Laws.

In the forenoon of the eighth day of Zul-Hijjah (Dhul-Hijjah), a pilgrim purifies himself once again by bathing as he did before ‘Umrah in the place in which he is staying, if convenient. He puts on his Ihram and recites few Arabic verses called Talbeeh:

"Labbaik, Allahumma Labbaik. Labbaik La Shareeka-lak Labbaik. Innal hamdah wan-naimatah laka walmulk. La Shareeka-lak."

The above verses translate as…

"Here I am, oh Allah, here I am. Here I am. You have no partner. Here I am. Surely all praise, grace and dominion is yours, and you have no partners."

This year Hajj will begin from 5th November and approximately 2.5 million Muslims from around the globe have reached Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. Only Muslims are allowed to enter these sacred areas, Mina’, Muzdalifah, Arafat but now everyone can watch it live on YouTube.

Here’s the link to watch Hajj live from Saudi Arabia.

Hajj Live on Youtube

To read on more about Hajj related issues .... Click HERE.