39th ‘Urs’ of Dr Farid-ud-Din Qadri observed

Dated: 24 August 2013

The 39th annual Urs of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri’s father, Farid-e-Millat Dr Farid-ud-Din Qadri (RA), was observed with traditional devotion on August 24, 2013 in Lohlay Shah settlement of Jhang District. Sajjad-a-Nasheen of the shrine Sibghatullah Qadri presided over the proceedings of the programmes held to mark the death anniversary.

To attend the ‘Urs’, a caravan known as Farid-e-Millat Caravan left for Jhang from the central secretariat of MQI under the leadership of Jawad Hamid (Director Administration and Congregations). The caravan consisted of Sheikh Muhammad Saleem Qadri, Muhammad Ilyas Qadri, Fatehullah Khan, Shamim Ahmad Numberdar, Haji Muhammad Ishaq, Sufi Maqsood Ahmad Qadri, Shahzad Rasool Qadri, Sahibzada Muhammad Iftikhar-ul-Hassan, Adnan Javed Qadri, Sayyid Amjad Ali Shah, and central office holders of the Women League. Hundreds of workers of MQI joined the Urs ceremony from Jhang, Faisalabad and Chiniot.

The main ceremony was attended by political personalities, local notables, religious scholars and people belonging to all walks of life in addition to Sibghatullah Qadri and Qudratullah Qadri.

The proceedings of ‘Urs’ began with traditional ritual of ‘chadar poshi’. The MQI delegation took part in ‘chadar’ poshi’ amid loud recitation of greetings and salutations on the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Sibghatullah Qadri, Sajjad-a-Nasheen of the shrine, led Dua on the occasion. Afterwards, free milk counter was inaugurated and the pilgrims were offered milk.

The proceedings of the central ceremony of ‘Urs’ got underway with the recitation of the Holy Quran followed by Naat after Isha prayers. Qari Noor Ahmad Chishti from Lahore recited the verses from the Holy Quran in his melodious voice. The way he recited the verses cast a spellbinding effect on the audience who waved ecstatically during the entire course of recitation. The entire venue was abuzz with the chants of ‘Allah is Great’. It may be pertinent to mention here that he is the same Qari who had the honour of reciting the Holy Quran at the occasion of inauguration of Minara-tus-Salam and created spiritual vibes among the audience with his melodious and enchanting voice. And the happiness of Shaykh-ul-Isalm was worth a sight at that time.

After the Quranic recitation, Minhaj Naat Council, and other Naat Khawans offered greetings and salutations on the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Muhammad Afzal Noshahi made the atmosphere spiritually ecstatic with his Naats. The audience was lost in the love of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) during Naat Khawani.

Speaking on the occasion, speakers belonging to various walks of life paid rich tributes to the Sufi of his times, Dr Farid-ud-Din Qadri (RA), for his meritorious services for welfare of humanity and promotion of Islamic teachings. They threw light on different aspects of Dr Farid-ud-Din Qadri’s personality and work. They said that Dr Farid-ud-Din Qadri was a great Sufi and reformer of his age who waged struggle for social and spiritual improvement. They said that the importance of his contributions and his own absence was felt all the more when he was no more amongst us. They said that every age needs dedicated people like him to guide the humanity along the right path.

Rana Muhammad Idrees Qadri, renowned religious scholar and graduate of Minhaj University, delivered his keynote speech in the later part of the ceremony. He highlighted the contributions of Farid-e-Millat on the community. He paid him glowing tribute due to his services for unity of Ummah, correction of beliefs, and general reform. He said that the passion and commitment with which Dr Farid-i-Millat worked for elimination of sectarianism, promotion of tolerance and respect is a beacon of light for us.

Rana Muhammad Idrees Qadri said that though list of contributions made by Dr Farid-ud-Din Qadri is very long but the major favour he did to the community is in the form of his son Shaykh-ul-Isam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri and he will be remembered for times to come for this reason as well. He said that Farid-i-Millat beseeched the Holy Prophet (PBUH) for this great blessing and he then dedicated his son for the service of the Muslim community in general and humanity in particular. He said that it was due to training he imparted to his prodigious son that the latter has revolutionized a world with his thought and work. He said that when the father is like Farid-i-Millat, the son would be like Shaykh-ul-Islam.

The Urs proceedings came to an end with Dua of Sibghatullah Qadri.