Members of Pakistani expatriate community gathered to witness a grand Ramadan show featuring competitions of Holy Qur’an and Na’at recitation organised by Sohni Dharti in Al Khor Community Hall recently. 
Children competed in the Holy Qur’an recitation and Na’at (poems in the praise of Prophet Muhammad PBUH) recitation in the presence of noted religious scholar from Pakistan, Qari Najum-ul-Mustafa, son of Qari Khushi Muhammad al-Azhari, who was invited to the show as a special guest.
Shehzad Ahmad Mughal, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dania Group, was the chief guest on the occasion. He was accompanied by prominent representatives of Pakistani community including Muhammad Ajmal, Malik Sarfraz, Khalid Hameed, Country Manager, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), and Kabir Khan.
Sohni Dharti, a forum of Pakistani expats living in Al Khor, comprising people working in Qatargas and RasGas, regularly organises this grand event every Ramadan. This year’s theme was ‘Marhaba Ya Ramadan’ (Welcome Ramadan). Muhammad Muaaz Asad initiated the proceedings, attended by more than 120 families, with Hafiz Khalil-ur-Rehman reciting verses from the Holy Qur’an and Saleem Baloch presenting a Na’at. 
Romaisa Ali, conducting the programme, invited Chairman of Sohni Dharti Rana Anwar Ali to welcome the guests.
“Ramadan is a guest with us and we have to take care of this guest very well. Taking advantage of this holy month, we should practice to make our lives in accordance with Qur’an and Sunnah,” said the chairman of Sohni Dharti while addressing the guests. 
After a tough competition, Shamaim Afreen secured first place in Qur’an recitation contest while Muhammad Abdullah got second place and Hassan Abdullah won third position. The Qur’an reciting contest was chaired by Rimsha Liaqat, Areeha Mariam and Aysha Shafqat. 
Other children who competed in the widely participated contest included Ali Mehdi, Maheen Haroon, Laraib Haroon, Eman Ahmad, Muhammad Salaar, Muhammad Huzaifa, Maida Shahid, Faizan, Abdullah Bin Nasooh, Hassan Abdullah, Rao Abdul Mannan, Aysha Rao, Umaiza Waqar, Muhammad Abdullah, Shamaim Afreen, Jannat Sajid, Abdullah Aaban, Abbas Hyder Samo, Taha Khawar, Muhammad Reyan Shafqat, Hamza Mehboob, Eman Sajid and Usaid Khan.
The second most tightly contested competition was the Na’at contest, chaired by Amsaal Anwar and Laiba Eiman. Anfal Anwar stood first in the competition with Abdul Rafay in the runners up and Kiswal Ali securing the third place.
In the contest, Eishal Mariam, Reda Ahmad, Romaisa Ali, Kiswal Ali, Shamza Naveen, Anfal Anwar, Abdul Rafay, Aimen Naeem and Ibrahim Khawar presented beautiful Na’at and were appreciated by the audience.
The show also featured some eye-catching performances by children especially prepared for the programme around the theme of Ramadan. These presentations were prepared by active community female members Mrs Mujtaba Baloch, Mrs Shahid Nadeem, Mrs Abid Hussain, Mrs Qazi Naeem and Mrs Rana Anwar Ali. 
The event concluded with a highlight where Qari Najam-ul-Mustafa recited verses from the Holy Qur’an. Iftaar dinner was served to community participants after the show. Sohni Dharti has been active in organising multiple events for Pakistani community in Doha. Earlier this year, it held the regular event, Pakistan Bazaar at the New Football Field of Al Khor Community near Al Khor Hospital in February.
With free entry and open to people from all nationalities, the bazaar was held in co-operation with Pakistan embassy in Doha. The different stalls in the day-long event sold garments, leather items, decoration materials and fresh vegetables and fruits from Pakistan.
The highlight of the event was mandarins which were freshly imported from Pakistan. Attended by hundreds of people from different communities, the bazaar treated its visitors with traditional food items that are otherwise rare to find in Doha.
Formed in 2012, the main objectives of the Sohni Dharti are to promote cultural, social and sports activities for Pakistanis residents of Al Khor Community besides developing the talents of children in education, culture and sports. 
It also aims to contribute in welfare and development of community, especially to promote the preservation of environment of community and surroundings and integrate Pakistani community with other nationalities of Al Khor community. The membership of Sohni Dharti is open to the people of Pakistani origin residing in Al Khor community, and to QatarGas and RasGas employees living in Doha.


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