Today is a day of aspirations, a day of fulfilled dreams, a day of delivery; it is a day when history was made — a day when independence was finally grasped.
Among those unforgettable chapters of the indescribable magnitude of sacrifice, emerges Aug. 14 as the milestone in the history of Pakistan. This day bore the propitious fruit of freedom with the sweat and blood of our forefathers for the posterity to relish.
Pakistan is not just a political entity spanning over hundreds of thousands of square kilometers; it is a fortress of good hope for the oppressed, a refuge for minorities, a place of salvation for all who call it home.
Quaid-e-Azam said: “You may belong to any religion or caste or creed — that has nothing to do with the business of the state. The creation of the new state has placed a tremendous responsibility on the citizens of Pakistan. It gives them an opportunity to demonstrate to the world how can a nation, containing many elements, live in peace and amity and work for the betterment of all its citizens, irrespective of caste and creed.”
Considering today, a day of aspirations, a day of fulfilled dreams, a day of delivery, glad tidings, joyful hope and new life and as a day of accomplishment and liberation, Pakistan International School Jeddah-English Section (PISJ-ES) resolves to inculcate in our students the spirit of patriotism, commitment, dedication, loyalty, and honor.
Having absolute belief in the fact that youth is the real architect of any country, I would like to advise them to devote their genuine attention toward acquiring education. Only then, they will be equipped to face the challenges of the world to pave way for a progressive and prosper Pakistan, which would reflect Iqbal’s dream and Quaid’s vision.
On the joyous occasion of the Independence Day of Pakistan, where I extend my heartfelt felicitation to all Pakistanis across the globe, I take opportunity to express my cordial gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for continuing and developing the eternal Pak-Saudi ties not merely on the territorial grounds but also by sharing our oneness as promoters of similar ideologies and religious values to make this world a better place to live.
May Almighty Allah enable us to protect both the countries and guide us to work towards their progress and prosperity! (Ameen)
Let’s get inspiration from our ancestors’ ideologies and pledge to work together. Let’s commit ourselves to the progress and prosperity of our country so that it can get its rightful place in the comity of nations.
I put the pen down for now on Quaid-e-Azam’s aphorism: “Our object should be peace within and peace without. We want to live peacefully and maintain cordial friendly relations with the world at large.”
•The writer is the principal of the PISJ-ES.
Aug. 14: A day of aspirations
Aug. 14: A day of aspirations
Joy Awards 2026 spotlights arts in the Arab world
RIYADH: Riyadh hosted its annual Joy Awards, bringing together stars and creative projects from across the Arab world as part of an event that has been held annually since 2022. The 2026 ceremony continued its focus on recognizing storytelling and creative work, while highlighting projects released over the past year.
As audiences anticipated the winners following the release of the nominees, awards were presented across six sectors; music, cinema, series, directors, sports and influencers. In addition to category awards, the ceremony also honored recipients of special accolades including Personality of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and Joy Honorary awards.
Previous events have recognized Arab and international figures for their contributions to the arts, including Matthew McConaughey, who received the Personality of the Year Award in 2025.
Amid the Kingdom’s expansion of its entertainment sector — spanning film, music and sports — the Joy Awards reflected Riyadh Season’s role in hosting large-scale cultural events.
This year’s fan-favorite nominees, many of whom were Saudi nationals, were cheered on as they walked the Joy Awards’ iconic lavender carpet, where fashion once again took center stage as a key expression of the region’s evolving creative identity.
Among winners who took home the Joy Awards was Saudi 14 year old Rateel Alshehri, who won Favorite Female Influencer. Speaking to Arab News on the lavender carpet, Rateel shared her excitement towards Joy Awards:
“I’m so excited about being at Joy Awards today, it’s something I’ve been looking forward to (…) Everyone here deserves to be here.” On her beautiful sky-blue gown, Rateel shared that she was wearing Saudi designer, Adnan Akbar.
Rateel’s excitement towards the awards was echoed by both Arab and non-Arab guests on the lavender carpet as many took in the unique atmosphere that Riyadh offers Joy Awards; where Arab entertainment and art is celebrated.
Lebanese actress Laila Abdullah also shared her enthusiasm towards both the award show and the Kingdom’s ambitions in hosting the Joy Awards and creating a hub for creative voices.
Speaking to Arab News she emphasized Saudi’s unique qualities: “It’s this mix of culture and luxury (…) It has that Gulf Arab character, the Saudi touch, you know? And that’s what really makes it stand out” Joy Awards was filled with a bustling energy that was eager and excited to give a platform to dreamers, artists, and talents who have been waiting to showcase their visions within the Arab world. It was a celebration that went beyond mere award-giving, reflecting the same ambition and creative momentum that defines Riyadh Season.
The lavender carpet paved way for international guests to speak to Saudi media on how it feels to be a part of an artistic celebration of Arab talent. Speaking to Arab News, Australian actor Luke Arnold shared his excitement towards attending the Joy Awards: “What I’m most excited about is kind of what I love about film and television, which is people from all over the world coming together to tell stories and share their expertise (…) It’s really exciting hearing about some of the potential projects happening, meeting some of the local talent here…just really excited to have more stories out in the world.”
Speaking to Arab News, Lebanese fashion influencer Karen Wazen reiterated the sentiment on Riyadh giving Joy Awards a special and unique energy for the arts, saying: “I am so impressed, I’m so proud to be at an event like this in our region, in Saudi Arabia. This is probably the most impressive and big carpet that I’ve ever seen (…) I’m very excited to watch the ceremony, but also I think to just meet so many people from our industries, it’s a beautiful place to do so.”
That vibrant atmosphere was on full display at the Joy Awards as the ceremony continued with stars like Millie Bobby Brown winning the Personality of the Year Award and the Lifetime Achievement Honor presented to acting legend Forest Whitaker. The stardom was not limited to the film sector, as American pop star Katy Perry performed her iconic songs live; and British singer Robbie Williams took to stage to give a standout performance.
The Joy Awards 2026 once again proved that setting new benchmarks in entertainment and creative expression is not only achievable, but celebrated when driven by local talent and support. As stars from around the world took to Riyadh’s lavender carpet, Arab culture was placed firmly at the forefront — spanning film, music, and digital creativity. The Joy Awards stand as a symbol of the broader cultural transformation that Riyadh is championing across the Arab world’s entertainment industry.
