Islamabad, May 11,2026: A national award ceremony for the essay writing competition titled “On His Footsteps” (Un Ke Naqsh-e-Qadam Par) was held in Islamabad to mark the 1500th anniversary of the arrival of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as Rehmat-ul-lil-Aalameen.
The event was attended by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye Irfan Neziroglu, religious scholars, educators, students, and members of civil society.
The ceremony was jointly organized by the Counselor Office for Religious Affairs, the Embassy of Türkiye, and the Diyanet Foundation. The competition aimed to promote love for the Holy Prophet ﷺ, encourage the study of Seerat-un-Nabi ﷺ, and inspire young people to adopt his teachings in their daily lives.
According to organizers, the competition reached hundreds of schools across Pakistan, with 612 students submitting essays. Awards and certificates were distributed among successful participants.
Addressing the ceremony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the greatest role model for humanity, adding that modern societal challenges such as moral decline, hatred, and division could only be addressed through his teachings and Seerah.
He said the Ministry of Religious Affairs continues to promote Qur’an and Seerat education through initiatives such as the National Seerat-un-Nabi ﷺ Conference, essay competitions, Naat and research contests, as well as Qur’an recitation and memorization events at national and international levels.
He also highlighted the deep-rooted fraternal ties between Pakistan and Türkiye, saying the relationship is based on shared faith, history, and cultural values.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Irfan Neziroglu appreciated the welfare, educational, and humanitarian services of the Diyanet Foundation in Pakistan. He said the organisation is actively engaged in education, orphan care, disaster relief, and social support programmes across the country.
He added that during the previous Ramadan, thousands of families received ration packages and Eid support, while sacrificial meat distribution was also carried out during Eid-ul-Adha 2025.
The ambassador further noted that the foundation provides scholarships from higher secondary education to PhD level and is involved in educational projects in Balochistan and other regions. He also mentioned mosque construction and renovation efforts, relief operations during natural disasters, and the publication of the Urdu children’s magazine “Nujeem” for young readers.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, tributes were paid to students, teachers, parents, and organizers. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to continue such educational and intellectual initiatives to promote the teachings of the Qur’an, Sunnah, and Seerat-un-Nabi ﷺ.
