Winners get Rs5m in awards in Seeratun Nabi competition

LAHORE : An array of distinguished speakers underscored the paramount importance for Muslims of adhering to the life and teachings of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), not only for character building but for ultimate success in the temporal world and the hereafter.

They said this at a simple but impressive award ceremony arranged for the winners of the first-of-its-kind Seeratun Nabi Competition at Alhamra on Wednesday.

Seventeen-year-old Muhammad Ismael from Lahore won the grand prize of Rs2 million; the daughter of a farmer from Mandi Bahauddin, Iqra Riaz, won the second prize of Rs400,000 and Eman from Sialkot won the third prize of Rs250,000/-. The top 12 winners were also given special gifts brought from Madina. Hailing from all parts of the country, participants and winners emerged triumphant after rigorous screening through verbal and quiz competitions based on the insightful book over two months.The driving force behind this unique initiative, aimed at elucidating the life of the Prophet (PBUH) in the book titled Seerat-un-Nabi is the dynamic bureaucrat Rai Manzoor Nasir, who accomplished this project independently, without soliciting donations or financial backing from any source. The chief guest, Punjab Governor Balighur Rahman, said while addressing, that by emulating the life of the Prophet (PBUH), individuals can achieve success in both worldly endeavours and in the eternal realm. He appreciated the selfless efforts of Rai Manzoor in spreading the Seeratun Nabi among the masses.

He said that Rai Manzoor’s Seeratun Nabi book is a valuable resource for aligning lives with the lofty principles of the Prophet (PBUH), offering a roadmap for personal and spiritual growth.Religious scholar Nazir Ghazi extolled the efforts of Rai Manzoor Nasir in creating this book in a manner easily comprehensible to the common reader.Senior journalist Mujeebur Rahman Shami said that the life of the Prophet (PBUH) serves as a timeless example of humility, piety, and devotion to Allah, inspiring millions around the world to strive for righteousness and compassion.Columnist and scholar Hassan Nisar said that the “Seeratun Nabi” book is a valuable resource for aligning lives with the lofty principles of the Prophet (PBUH), underscoring its significance as a roadmap for personal and spiritual growth.Columnist Toufeeeq Butt commended the transformative potential of the book’s simple yet profound narratives, asserting that embracing the life and teachings of the Prophet (PBUH) is pivotal for personal and collective enlightenment.

He emphasised the book’s role in fostering character development among Muslims, positioning them as exemplary figures for future generations. Rai Manzoor Nasir underscored the book’s global accessibility, ensuring dissemination worldwide through free PDF distribution. He announced forthcoming English and French versions of the book, along with audio format availability as well. Additionally, he said, plans are underway to host similar competitions in major cities in Pakistan this year, with future replication in Muslim countries as well. The overall project expenditure totaled Rs20 million, encompassing the distribution of Rs10 million of books free of charge and administrative costs of Rs4 million. Further, Rs 5 million was given as an award to the 100 top winners of the competition, while Rs1 million was conferred upon the 100 participants as an encouragement award. Prominent religious scholars, top-tier bureaucrats, members of the judiciary, media personalities, showbiz icons, and leading business magnates graced the occasion.