RAWALPIND - Women Week with the theme Hope and Tolerance started at Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), Rawalpindi here on Friday. The week is being observed from April 2-4 with the purpose to engage youth in co-curricular and extracurricular healthy activities. Different competitions including Qirat and Naat, bilingual declamation, Mahfil-e-Mushaira, Quiz competition, photography, painting, drama and singing competition are scheduled to be held during week. The activities are organized with an optimum objective to showcase and foster the students creative and spiritual capabilities. The first day of the 3-day activities began with the Qiraat and Naat competition. The judges for Qiraat competition were Qari Najam Mustafa, Chairman International Quran Academy and Asim Qureshi, Web Administrator FJWU. The participants mesmerised the audience with their soulful voices. Each participant was greeted with appreciative applause. The Vice Chancellor FJWU, Professor Dr Saeeda Asadullah Khan was also present on the occasion. The Chief Guest Qari Manzoor-ul-Qunain, appreciated the varsity administration for organising the competitions. He congratulated the winning students and also presented a beautiful Naat. He said that active participation of students in the competition reflected the deep love of young generation for the Almighty Allah and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). According to the judgement as per criterion the winners for the Qirat Competition were Samina of International Islamic University, Islamabad (first position); Muhammad Hussain Jan of Federal Urdu University (second) while Farhad Ali Shah of Foundation University was declared third. In the Naat competition Sidra Rana of Iqra University won the first prize while second prize was given to Sadia Akram of Allama Iqbal Open University. Third prize was given to Nazia Ayub of International Islamic University. In the Mastermind Quiz that was held later in the day, University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila won the title of the event whereas the Institute of Space and Technology was runner-up. In total, five teams from different institutions participated in the competition. The purpose of organising the event was to encourage the young students to up scale their IQ level and knowledge orientation and in three rounds teams were asked questions from different categories including general knowledge, current affairs, sports, art and culture, science, literature, history and Pakistan. The chief guest of the event, Vice Chancellor Fatima Jinnah Women University Prof Dr Saeeda Asadullah Khan, appreciated the efforts of the participating institutions. She said that such competitions sharpened the minds of the students and helped them to enhance their abilities. She advised the students to engage themselves in book reading beyond textbooks. The Vice Chancellor thanked the participating institutes and distributed prizes amongst the winners. The participants presented picturesque paintings in the painting competition. The relentless hard work put in by the participants was evident by the large variety of paintings on display. Aleem Dad was the judge of the event. Shagufta Yasmeen of International Islamic University was declared first followed by Taha Hassan of Allama Iqbal Open University. Hamza Tariq of Federal Urdu University was declared third in the Painting competition. A flower arrangement competition was also held as part of the Womens Week. Thee event was divided into two categories, Dry Flower Arrangement and Fresh Flower Arrangement. The judges for the event were Asma Ansari and Sayeeda Khanum. According to the decision of the judges the winners for the flower arrangement included in the dry flower arrangement, first Prize went to Shania Anum of Federal Urdu University. In fresh flower arrangement Adeela Rehman of Allama Iqbal Open University was declared as the winner of first position. Sania Saeed of Federal Urdu University won second position, whereas Shaista Shafaq of International Islamic University, Islamabad got third position. Sports competitions are also a part of the Women Week 2010 in order to provide an ideal environment to students to develop their physical and spiritual potential through healthy sports activities. Badminton, Volleyball and Cricket catches will be organised while closing ceremony will be held on April 4, 2010 in the university premises to award prizes and trophies among the champions. A three-day Artisan Mela for the students of Fatima Jinnah Women University has also been organized. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. Saeeda Asadullah Khan inaugurated the Artisan Mela and visited the stalls. She said that the event is core of the women week and exhibited the talents of the students and artisans. Artists and students from all over Pakistan have set up stalls of handicrafts, woodwork, rugs, clothing, accessories, interior dTcors and greetings cards. Other stalls sold exquisite gems and jewellery. The items presented in the Artisan Mela are mostly handmade. Besides this, there are also stalls of diverse and delicious cuisine.