Kumta: Meritorious Muslim students from Kumta and the surrounding region were honoured with awards in a programme organized under the aegis of North Kanara Muslim United Forum taluka unit Kumta on 28th October, Saturday. The programme was held at Ideal high school.

The program began with the recitation of verses from Holy Quran after which Muhammad Wasid Shaikh sang the Naath in his pleasant voice. The secretary of the forum's Kumta unit Mr. Ali Damkar Saheb welcomed the guests and presented the forum's report.

13 students who excelled in their academics were presented with the awards which included a cash prize and a certificate of recognition.

Kumta Youth Congress leader Mr. Ravikumar Shetty who was present as the chief guest, lauded the initiative and said that encouraging the students on their achievements in education was very necessary. He promised his full support to for the minority students with government schemes whenever needed and also assured of aid through the Late Mohan Shetty trust of Kumta.

District general secretary of the N.K Muslim Forum, Mr. Muhammad Mohsin Qazi also addressed the audience and said that it was a very proud moment to see students from the Muslim community coming forward in education with good achievements and expressed his encouragement and appreciation for those who have achieved their goals after lots of hard work. He also said that around 18-20 Muslim students from the town are currently studying engineering courses, which he said was a good sign for the Muslim community of Kumta. He then appreciated forum's Kumta unit president for his hard work to start Aleemiyat courses for madrasa students in Kumta, which has seen a great success in his tenure.

The forum's district president Mr. Imtiyaz Umar Shaikh and taluka unit Kumta president Muhammad Akbar Mulla too spoke on the importance of education in the modern world.

Other guests present included president of Kumta Jamat Ul Muslimeen Mr. Muhammad Shafi Shaikh, President of Nakhuda education society Kumta Mr.  Abusaleha Bava Mulla.

The program was presided over by Mr. Muhammad Akbar Mulla, while Mr. Zahid Sarang acted as the master of ceremonies and also delivered the vote of thanks.

Former president of the forum Mr. Basti Abdul Malik, Mr. Ali Shaikh, Mr. Jaffar Saheb amongst others were also present.