Dear Kids, Assalam-o-Alaikum!
We’re really lucky that the last two months of year provide us an opportunity to recall the shining legacy of our two iconic figures that not only helps us to look into the previous months’ performance but also encourages us to review anew our resolution for the new year. November is the birth month of the Poet of the East Allama Muhammad Iqbal, who dreamed of a separate homeland for us in the Hindu-dominated subcontinent; and December celebrates the birthday of the Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who made that dream a reality. Proudly so, Hilal for Kids is privileged to bring special editions, each year, to highlight salient aspects of the lifelong struggle of both the personalities towards making of a nation, and building of a nation-state. The December edition of your favorite magazine exclusively focuses on the Founder of Pakistan, his vision, perseverance and extraordinary achievement. His birthday, on December 25, provides us an opportunity, before the start of new year, to reflect on the Quaid’s indomitable spirit, unwavering commitment, and unparalleled leadership in the creation of our beloved country. His life is a beacon of light. His values of integrity, hard work, and resilience continue to guide us. Through this issue, we aim to stress upon the Quaid’s famous principles that shaped him into a national icon, and that these principles can shape you to become visionary leaders.
Dear Friends!
Simultaneously, remembering the Quaid’s vision for a prosperous Pakistan coincides with the spirit of religious harmony, social cohesiveness and equal rights of minorities as our Christian brothers and sisters celebrate Christmas on the same day – December 25. This is a time for both reflection and hope; a perfect occasion to recharge our energies, and reflect on the lessons we learn from those who have shaped our world — like Iqbal and Jinnah, or other remarkable figures. It is advisable that Iqbal and Jinnah must be studied in a row because, for Pakistan Iqbal took the initiative, and Jinnah completed it. By the way, this year we have commemorated the centenary of Iqbal’s most famous book of poetry, Bang-e-Dra. An article here briefly tells how Iqbal’s poetry continues to echo in the hearts of Pakistanis, specifically urging the youth to aspire to higher ideals with a stronger sense of unity. Besides, as part of our series on Muslim scientists, this month’s magazine picks a piece on a famous Arab scholar’s scientific marvels. Al-Battani’s groundbreaking contributions to mathematics and astronomy are nothing short of revolutionary. His work laid the foundations for much of the knowledge we now take for granted. The feature article throws light on the importance of curiosity, hard work, and pursuit of knowledge. It encourages you to look beyond boundaries, and “dream bigger if you wish to achieve something big”. In a similar vein, the breathtaking story of the ‘Apollo 11’ mission is that of the humanity’s greatest achievements. Imagine the first step of man on the moon; it was not just a triumph for the astronauts, but for all of the mankind. 
You, the young minds, should have the same spirit of achievement, courage and ingenuity, commitment and continuity. You are to join hands with the Pakistani scientists who are busy in exploring new horizons, and making the impossible possible. While moving into the new year, don’t forget reading the Hilal for Kids; it’ll certainly spark curiosity, instill pride, and foster a sense of purpose in you. Keep writing, keep sending feedbacks, restrict yourself to writing only one piece, and please avoid a copy-paste from AI-generated portals. May the New Year bring you hope, joy and endless possibilities. Ameen 
Best of luck!

Farooq-uz-Zaman