Doha: Arts and literature plays a core role in humanizing development activities, and Arab societies have always engaged their communities in various activities relating to arts and literature.
This was stated by Dr Darwish Al-Emadi, Acting Vice President for Research, Qatar University, while delivering his inaugural address at the 7th Qatar National Sahithyotsav, a cultural festival of the South Indian Muslim community organized by Risala Study Circle (RSC) in Doha, and presided over by RSC national Chairman Abdul Jaleel Irfani.
“We tend to see culture and progress as two different entities and this generates a wrong perception about growth and development. Only a holistic approach towards past and future can bring sustainable and peaceful living conditions, and art and literature which represent cultural ambitions of any society have a great role to play in making such an environment possible,” Dr Al-Emadi said.
He added: “The Indian community’s efforts towards this end are always pleasing and praiseworthy. Programs such as Sahithyotsav bridge the gaps between societies and cultures, and act as a platform for initiating mutual understanding.”
The seventh Sahithyotsav featured hundreds of students from various zones in Qatar, who competed in several categories highlighting various aspects of the community’s art and culture. These included Mappila song, quiz, elocutions, group song, Daff, documentry, spot magazine, story & poem writing etc.
Winners of the arts competition were Azeeziyya zone (first), Doha zone (second) and Madeena Khaleefa (third). They received certificates of appreciation and prizes from Jamia Markaz manager C Muhammed Faizy and Siraj Daily managing editor N Ali Abdulla.
The Peninsula
