– Atoofa Nasiha
Whoever treads a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make the path to Paradise easy for him. (Sahih Muslim, 2699)
With the monsoon retreating, October brought along the half-yearly holidays in Chennai. Students, stretched thin between exams, finally had a moment to relax. And it was in this very pause that GIO (Girls Islamic Organisation) Chennai presented As-Sahwa, an inter-unit competition exclusively organised for the GIO Cadre of Chennai, designed to give them an opportunity to showcase their talents. The event, held on October 2, saw around 100 GIO Cadre come together, joining from all corners of Chennai, including Jamalia, Redhills, Pattabiram, Otteri, and more.
Inaugural Programme
The event began with an inaugural programme led by the chief guest, Nazeer Ataullah, Patron of GIO Chennai Metro.
In his address to the cadre, he spoke about why girls need GIO, what GIO stands for, and the kind of platform and opportunities it provides. He reminded the audience that on the Day of Judgement, Allah will question us in three ways:
- How did you satisfy this world as Muslims? What did you do as a Muslim?
- How did you spend your youth?
- Why does Allah specifically question us about our youth? Because youth is power and talent.
He further urged everyone to always keep three things in mind:
- Are we following Allah’s commands?
- Are we abiding by the morals of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?
- Are our actions pleasing to Allah the Exalted?
Presidential Address
Following this, the President of GIO Chennai addressed the cadre with words of encouragement. She said:
“Chosen ones among the 150+ cadre in the city! A platform that embraces your talent with modesty. Many have great skills but not a halal stage to showcase our talent. This exposure is a door that opens big opportunities ahead. Today we are almost 100 in number in this hall and for the next event we should be even more huge in number.”
But what does As-Sahwa actually mean?
The word is Arabic for “Awakening”, and this competition is named to awaken the knowledge of its participants.
The tagline, “To be Fierce is To Be Knowledgeable,” stems from the idea that true fierceness lies in being knowledgeable. The logo embodies this message: the horse stands for strength, stability, and steadiness – qualities linked to fierceness and awakening. Meanwhile, the pen nib topped with a graduation hat represents knowledge. Together, these symbols portray the vision behind As-Sahwa.
The Seven events of As-Sahwa
From the beauty of Qur’an recitation to the power of storytelling and visual arts, the participants displayed dedication, skill, and passion. Here’s a closer look at the seven exciting events that made As-Sahwa truly memorable.
- Qirath – The Qaari Quest
The programme began with Qirath, where participants recited the Qur’an with clarity and perfection, following the rules of Tajweed. The young Qaariyas amazed the audience with their voices that carried both strength and softness, showing their dedication to Qur’an recitation. It reminded everyone that the best voices are those which beautify Allah’s words.
- Poster Making & Presentation – Colours of Fann
Art was given a new direction through poster making. The themes included “Qur’an and Science” and “Depicting an Event from the Seerah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ”. Participants combined creativity with knowledge, producing visuals that not only attracted the eye but also conveyed powerful Islamic messages. Some portrayed the harmony of scientific discoveries with Qur’anic verses, while others highlighted moments from the Prophet’s life, showing how timeless and relevant his example remains today.
- Creative Writing – Ink of Imaan
Writing became a mirror to the heart in this segment. Topics such as “Fear of Allah or Love for Allah?” and “Practising Islam in an age of fitnah” opened deep reflections. Girls penned their struggles, affirmations, and journeys of Imaan, proving that the pen too can become a tool of Da’wah. Every piece was unique, whether it spoke of hope, patience, or the balance between awe and love for Allah.
- Quiz – Pursuit for ‘Ilm
The quiz tested participants on a wide range of Islamic knowledge. From the stories of Prophets and Sahabas to translation of Amma Juzz, from the lives of great women in Islamic history to the names and meanings of Surahs, the quiz challenged memory, understanding, and presence of mind. It was not just a competition of answers, but a reminder that true knowledge brings us closer to Allah.
- Nasheed – Melodies by Muslimah
Voices rose in unison during the Nasheed competition, where participants sang in Tamil, English, and Arabic. Praises of Allah, descriptions of His beautiful attributes, and love for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ were expressed in rhythmic tones. Each performance carried purity, sincerity, and heartfelt devotion, making this event a soothing part of As-Sahwa.
- Skit – Deen in Action
The skit competition brought stories alive on stage. Topics like the struggle between halal and haram income, digital modesty and scrolling with taqwa, and sibling rivalry with lessons from Islam were performed. Some groups chose to highlight contemporary struggles like staying up late with Netflix vs. waking for Fajr, while others focused on historical lessons like Hudhayfah (RA) guarding trust. The variety of themes showed how Islam provides guidance for both age-old struggles and modern-day challenges.
- Short Film – Lights, Camera, Da’wah
The final segment of As-Sahwa was short films, where teams used creativity and technology to send powerful messages. Films on peer pressure and friendship, mental health and faith, and true beauty in Islam stood out. Other teams focused on themes such as environmental responsibility, gratitude, charity, and breaking stereotypes about Muslim women. Each short film became a voice of Da’wah, showing how media can be a powerful tool when used for good.
Concluding Speech
After the events concluded, Atoofa Nasiha, LAC member of GIO Chennai, addressed the cadre and emphasised the importance of participation.
She said, “It is easy to participate in competitions where you excel, but participating in competitions in which you are not well versed helps you learn a new skill, and that should be the challenge.”
She further noted, “As-Sahwa was brought to you to either build your existing talents or create a new one.”
Finally, she added, “Your enrolment is a seed to success; it shows how determined you are. To us, all the participants and winners already are.”
Voices from As-Sahwa – Participant & Organisers confess
Let’s see what the participants and organizers of As-Sahwa had to say about their experiences, challenges and vision about this inspiring inter-unit competition.
“It was really really good and we enjoyed today’s event. This day motivated us to participate in more events.” – Mubeena, Associate – GIO Chennai
“It was an excellent experience and a wonderful opportunity to show our talents.” – Reema Kashish, Associate – GIO Chennai
“The As-Sahwa programme was truly wonderful. All the competitions conducted were highly engaging and inspirational. The management was excellent and I sincerely thank you for providing us with opportunities to enhance and showcase our talents.” – Aaliyah Maryam. T. A, Associate – GIO Chennai
“As-Sahwa brought out the talents of young girls transitioning to adults in a fascinating manner. All the girls we saw that day were winners, as they won against their nervousness and stepped out to showcase their artistry. It was a delightful event for us. Alhamdulillah” – Naseema, Joint Secretary – GIO Chennai
As-Sahwa 2025 was not just a competition; it was a celebration of talent, creativity, and the pursuit of knowledge. It was an opportunity for some and the beginning of a talent hunt for others.
As Albert Einstein remarked, “The only source of knowledge is experience.”
