Chennai: Hidhaaya Islamic College for Girls organised a grand Felicitation Ceremony to honour outstanding achievers in the Class X and Class XII State Board and CBSE examinations while celebrating three significant milestones in the institution’s journey. The programme brought together students, parents, educators, community leaders, and distinguished guests in a memorable celebration of academic excellence and educational achievement.
A distinctive feature of the event was Hidhaaya’s commitment to recognising academic merit beyond its own campus. Unlike conventional felicitation programmes that honour only their own students, Hidhaaya Islamic College for Girls has, for the past four years, recognised Chennai-based students from different schools who secured 90% and above in the State Board and CBSE examinations. This unique initiative reflects the institution’s vision of encouraging excellence, inspiring young achievers, and fostering a culture of academic aspiration within the community.
The response to this year’s programme was overwhelming, with more than 180 meritorious students from over 40 schools registering for the felicitation ceremony. The event witnessed the participation of more than 500 students, parents, teachers, and well-wishers, demonstrating the growing importance of recognising academic excellence and motivating young achievers.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Rabia Basri, Principal and Correspondent of Hidhaaya Islamic College for Girls, congratulated the award recipients and emphasised that talented, disciplined, and hardworking students form the foundation of a progressive nation. She encouraged the students to continue striving for excellence with sincerity and integrity and prayed that Allah bless them with beneficial knowledge, continued success, and opportunities to contribute positively to society.
She also highlighted the institution’s educational philosophy of providing holistic education by integrating Islamic Studies, the Arabic language, and contemporary education. Hidhaaya aims to nurture young women who are intellectually capable, spiritually enriched, morally upright, and socially responsible, preparing them to become confident leaders and valuable contributors to society.
The programme also marked two important milestones in the college’s development. The first was the warm welcome extended to the new batch of students, who officially joined the Hidhaaya family and commenced their educational journey.
The second was the celebration of a historic achievement – the successful graduation of Hidhaaya’s first batch of Alimah students. These students completed the 3-year Alimah programme while simultaneously pursuing their Class XII education through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). Having successfully completed both streams of education, they have secured admission to various colleges in different academic disciplines, exemplifying Hidhaaya’s vision of integrating Islamic education with mainstream higher education.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Nazeer Ataullah, Chairman of Hidhaaya Islamic College for Girls, described this achievement as a proud milestone in the institution’s journey. He reaffirmed the college’s commitment to empowering young Muslim women through quality education rooted in Islamic values while preparing them for higher education, professional excellence, and meaningful contributions to society. He reminded the students to always remember the two people behind their success – their parents and their teachers – whose sacrifices, guidance, and encouragement made their achievements possible. He also advised the students to continuously develop their skills, emphasising that in today’s competitive world, skills are essential for becoming unique, capable, and successful.
The felicitation ceremony was graced by several distinguished personalities from the fields of education, business, law, and community service, including:
- Anis Khan, Chairman, Zara Global School, Salem; Managing Director, JMS Group of Companies, Tokyo, Japan.
- S. M. Poongodi, Administrative Director, Good Word Public School.
- M. Gulzar Begum, Assistant Professor, Department of Arabic, B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology.
- Ajmal Dastagir, Managing Director, Silk Trail Global Exports Pvt. Ltd.; Advisor to the Ministry of MSME, Government of India; Chairman (India), Sustainable Development Council under consultative status with UN-ECOSOC.
- S.M. Azizunnisaa Begum, Assistant Professor and Research Supervisor, Department of Legal Studies, School of Law, VISTAS.
- H. Sameen Fathima, Principal, Fathima Basheer Matriculation Higher Secondary School for Girls.
In addition to honouring meritorious students from across Chennai, the college recognised its own students for their outstanding achievements in academics, literary activities, cultural events, and co-curricular activities throughout the academic year. Members of the teaching faculty were also felicitated for receiving awards and recognition from prestigious organisations in appreciation of their outstanding contributions to education and society.
The ceremony concluded with prayers for the continued success of all students and reaffirmed Hidhaaya Islamic College for Girls’ unwavering commitment to promoting academic excellence, character development, leadership, and holistic education. The event served as an inspiring reminder that educational institutions play a vital role in nurturing not only academic excellence but also values, confidence, and a lifelong commitment to serving society.
