Picnic & Islamic Quiz and Game Competition

Picnic Report

Ever since its establishment Islamic Center-Japan has been doing various programs and activities.  One of the activities used to be a camp outside Tokyo for three days. Ever since the financial condition of Islamic Center has worsened. We are organizing a one day picnic instead of a camp. Its purpose is that Muslims may gather at a certain place and meet each other and take Islamic food, barbecue is held. The idea is to introduce the life and culture of Muslims to non-Muslim Japanese and to play games with them. For the last two years picnics were held and more then one hundred Muslims took part. 

This year too picnic was organized. Various opinions were express. One of the opinion was when Japans famous flower Sakura blooms, all the Japanese flock to parks to watch it and enjoy the beauty of Sakura While Muslims do the same within the bounds of Islamic Sharia. As the time was short therefore, this programme could not be arranged. Instead advantage was taken to golden week holidays and picnic was announced on Sunday May 3. A new programme was introduced for children, that is, Islamic Quiz and BC game competition on 2^nd May. It became a two day programme. 

For the last two years Islamic Center-Japan picnic used to be in a nearby park. It was convenient for us and park workers used to wait for us because we used to request them to enjoy food with us. This year it was decided to hold the picnic in a big park. The first thing was to book barbecue space in the park. So that the participant are informed about the programme. 

The day came when Koganei park, Tokyo was decided. The items for bar-be-cue were decided. When April 30 came, we collected the names of participants by e-mail, fax and telephone then the number was reaching to about two hundred. Some people come without registration, therefore, it was decided to raise the bar -be-que arrangement to three hundred.

 On May 1 2009 in the night of Friday I and Mr. Shaji purchased provisions from the Shop of Mr. Ghawas Bashir and kept it at Islamic Center-Japan. Rest of the things like Yaki Soba etc were bought by Ms Iman.

 The volunteers of ICJ prepared food for the participants of Islamic Quiz on Saturday May2, 2009. When finished with them the BBQ arrangement started. The volunteers applied masala in Tikka, Nahari, Qeema curry and rice were prepared. The work carried to Fajar prayer. At four of clock Fajar prayer was prayed. At 5 o clock myself, Mr. Abdul Mannan, Mr. Naveed, Mr. Saleem Bhatti went home. In the morning Mr. Saleem Mufti telephoned at 8 am that we have occupied space in the park. Then at 8 o’clock we departed for park for picnic.

 At about 8 am we started for the park with all the eatables when we reached the park it was traffic jam there. Weather was very good. Thousands of Japanese had reached there for pleasure. Our volunteers unloaded the eatables and started preparation for BBQ.

People were coming in. Registration was being done. Everyone was meeting each other. Everyone was happy. All liked the place but complained that it was far away from the bus stop because the park was big. People had to wait for long for car park.

Ladies cooked Yaki Soba immediately. Men cooked BBQ. Children began to play. Time came for noon. A good number of people had come. Children were hungry. My late father used to say that on the occasion of feast and picnic food should be served first to children because they can not forbear the hunger.

 Yaki Soba was ready. Very pleasant smell was coming from the BBQ. Soon children were served food.  The children were taking BBQ with joy and pleasure. Cold juice cans were also at hand and were freely consumed. Parents too could not resist, they also attacked BBQ and took to their abandon. BBQ was also presented to the Japanese who were sitting close to us. They enjoyed our food and thanked us. Zuhr prayer was prayed with Jamaat. After dua and Sunnat competition for Islamic Quiz and BC game was announced.

Football game was started. Men and children were divided into two teams. Late comers wanted to know which side they should join. They were told to join one on this side and the other on the other side. People complained for big numbers of participants but the idea was to play together every one. Somebody was asking for a pass. Somebody was scoring a goal and everyone was enjoying the game.

When the number of players increased, Dr. Abdul Rahman (Egyptian) divided the team into four and the two teams began to play against each other. First two teams played against each other then the two victorious team played against the other. Thus all the four teams played and it was a good show.

 People were tired. It was Asr time but cricket bats and balls were ready. Cricket is the favorite game of Indo Pakistan. Asr Aazan was called. Asr prayer was prayed. Cricket game was started. Myself, Mr. Manzoor and Mr. Madtloob Ali were out first ball. People saw it on Pak-Japan News net.

It was going to be 5 o’clock. Everyone was on his way back home People enjoyed BBQ several times and whatever was left over, was given to participants in the shopping bags. All the eatables were returned to the cars. It was time for Maghrib. The Maghrib Azan was called and we Maghrib prayed with Jamaat.

The participant were more than 200 hundred in number. Participants demanded that ICJ should hold such programmers several times a year.

 Picnic was attended by persons from Japan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Burma, Africa, and America who are living in Japan. The wife of Iraqi ambassador also came. She gave an interview and said: “that I was pleased to see so many Japanese Muslims. I had not seen so many Japanese in any gathering”.

 In the picnic adults paid Yen1,000- and children contributed Yen500. We are thankful for the people who gave Yen 3,000- or Yen5,000- donations also.

The total expenditure of Islamic Quiz and PC games competition, dinner and picnic wasYen198,965- and the total of admission fee and donation collected was Yen190,815- We pray to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taa’la) to bless us with good deeds.

 In the end we thank all the participants that they fully cooperated and made it a success.

Our thanks are due to Mr. & Mrs. Shaji, Mr. Salih Kubo, Mrs. Iman. Mrs. Noor, Syed Matloob Ali, Mr. Abdul Mannan, Mr. Naveed, Mr. Mufti Saleem, Mr. Abdul Rashid, Mr. Sheroo, Mr. Khalil, Mr. Manzoor Ansari, Mr. Salim Bhatti, Mr. Anwer Memon, Mr. Abdul Ghaffar. Mr. Naeem Chauhan, Mr. Rehan, Mr. Shakeel, Mr. Zia, Dr. Abdul Rahman, Dr. Nasir Ayub, Dr. Ahmad Abu Majd and Mr. Musa Uthman etc. We thank for those whose names are mentioned above and for those as well whose names have been accidentally left out.

 We gratefully acknowledge the cooperation of Mr. Mohammad Zuber of

Urdunet and Chaudhry Shahid of Pak Japan news. Our program received wide publicity.

 We pray to Allah ( Subhanahu Wa Taa’la) to bless us with good deeds in the world and hereafter.

Dr. Salimur Rahman Khan

     Executive Director

   Islamic Center-Japan

Report on Islamic Quiz and PC Games Competition

held on May 2, 2009 at Islamic Center-Japan

Two years ago it occurred to me that children are busy playing PC games these days. How to gather them and make Islamic use of it. I have spoken to several people about it. All liked this idea but the question arose how to implement this idea.

In the beginning of April 2009 Islamic Quiz and PC game competition plan was announced, taking advantage of golden week holidays. On May 2, 2009 Islamic Quiz and PC games competition was held and On May 3 Islamic Center-Japan arranged a BBQ at Koganei Park, Tokyo.

 For Islamic Quiz questions and answers in English and Japanese were written. Every child was required to participate in both Islamic Quiz and PC games competition. Islamic Quiz questions and answers were put on the home-page of Islamic Center-Japan including the details of PC games competition. The last date of registration was restricted to April 30, 2009. Two groups of children were announced. Children from 8 to 12. Children from 13 to 18. It was a new experiment. Will the children take part? How many children will come? But the names began to come. Children also telephoned? How the Quiz will be like? What will be the result? What will be the awards? The interest of the parents and children was rising. The day of the competition was drawing near. It was a big question as to how the Islamic Quiz and PC games competition will be held? It will be unjust to ask a simple question to one child and difficult question to the other. That is why questions were drafted for both groups.

It is important to mention here that a telephone came two days before from Mr. Mohammad Zubair of Urdunet. He suggested why not question and answers in Urdu be written on Urdunet? I told him that I will go home and try to translate and send it to you. When I reached home it was eleven o’clock. By one o’clock I was able to translate and send it to Urdu net. Mr. Mohammad Zubair said that I will fax it to you after typing in the morning so that you may check it. Alhamdo Lillah next day at noon Islamic Quiz questions and answers were printed in Urdu on Urdunet. We prayed that the program may meet with success.

 On Saturday everyone was present with all the preparations. The spirit of joy was in the air. Food was being prepared for the participants. The judges who were already selected were waited upon. Mr. Syed Matloob Ali who is Director of Education Islamic Center-Japan was made the chief judge, Mr. Fadhlullah Nakamich Director publications ICJ, Mr. Mohammad Zubair Editor Urdunet and Dr. Nasir Ayub, Arabic teacher.

 Maghrib prayer was offered. Then first PC game competition started. The children and the parents were both greatly excited. Every child was advancing. The judges were asking which child came? How many marks has he scored? The judges were informed at every step. The time came when the PC games competition ended. Then the Islamic Quiz competition began.

 Questions were distributed to the children of both the groups. The children passed on the written answers to judges. Alhamdo Lillah the competition came to an end. Among the children were from Japan, Arab, Pakistan, America, Africa, India, and Bangladesh. It was a pleasant scene. Parents were very happy. Persons present were exited. Islamic Center-Japan workers were thankful to Allah (S.W.A.) that the programme is on the right track.

Isha prayer was prayed. Judges were requested to move to 3th floor to compile the result. Nobody else is allowed to go to 3th floor. It was announced that the result will be announced tomorrow on BBQ day.

All the guests were served food on behalf of Islamic Center-Japan. The volunteers cooked the food, which was much appreciated. In the meanwhile judges had prepared the result which was meant to be announced tomorrow in the park.

 All persons present, children and parents were returning home and were waiting for tomorrow. The ICJ workers had to type out certificates for the children, women were asked to buy awards, which they had done Al hamdo li Allah.

On Sunday, 3 May,2009 the Zuhar prayer was prayed during the BBQ in the park. Then the result was announced. First Dr. Salimur Rahman Khan, Executive Director, Mr. Shaji, Director Administration, and Mr. Syed Matloob Ali, Director of Education presented certificates to the children.. Then the children of both the group were presented first, second and third awards.

We prayed to Allah (S.W.T.) that the program ended with success. We pray to Allah (S.W.T.) Almighty that we may learn, teach and practice Islam to the best of our ability.

We whole heartedly thank to Mr. & Mrs. Shaji, Mr. Salih Kubo, Mrs. Iman. Mrs. Noor, Mr. Syed Matloob Ali, Mr. Fadhlullah Nakamichi, Mr. & Mrs. Aamir, Mr. Abdul Mannan, Mr. Naveed, Mr. Mufti Saleem, Mr. Abdul Rashid, Mr. Khalil, Mr. Manzoor Ansari, Mr. Salim Bhatti, Mr. Naeem Chauhan, Mr. Rehan, Mr. Shakeel, Dr. Abdelrahman Abdelgawad, Dr. Nasir Ayub, Dr. Ahmed Abulalmgd and Mr. Mosa Uthman etc. We thank for those whose names are mentioned above and for those as well whose names have been accidentally left out.

We thank Mr. Mohammad Zubair of Urdunet and Mr. Chaudhry Shahid of PakJapannews. Who fully covered this program, publicized it, and were present at the time of awards presentation too.

May Allah (S.W.T.) bless us all.

 Dr. Salimur Rahman Khan

     Executive Director

   Islamic Center-Japan

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