36th Foundation Day of MQI celebrated

Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, the founding-leader and patron-in-chief of MQI, has congratulated the MQI workers around the world for their perseverance, sacrifices and courageous struggle on the 36th foundation-day of MQI. He said that blood which the workers shed for revolution will not go in vain. He said that the sacrifices of the workers will certainly bear fruit, adding that blood of martyrs is a debt on the party and we will not budge from our demand of Qisas. He said that MQI has rendered exemplary services for promotion of peace & knowledge both nationally & internationally in a short span of 36 years. He said that its role in fostering interfaith harmony has been commendable. He said that MQI did its best to promote Islamic message of peace and love in world riled by multiple conflicts. Its counter-extremism services are laudable.

The foundation-day ceremony of MQI was held at the central secretariat under the banner of MQI Lahore chapter. President of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, Dr Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri presided over the programme, which was attended by senior leadership and workers in large numbers.

In his presidential address, Dr Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri said that MQI has led from the front to project real face of Islam by building bridges and promoting interfaith harmony among different religions. He said that it is due to its untiring efforts that the United Nations conferred a status of consultant on the MQI in recognition of its service for peace, adding that this is the matter of pride not only for Pakistan but also for the Muslim world. He said that Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has produced a generation of religious scholars who are spreading the light of knowledge not only in Pakistan but also in the world.

The founding members of MQI, families of martyrs and captives and the injured of the revolution march attended the ceremony on a special request. Hafiz Ghulam Farid, Rafique Najam, Syed Altaf Hussain Shah, Ch. Afzal Gujjar, Ishtiaq Hanif Mughal, Allama Ghalib Pervez, Haji Farrukh Habib, Allama Ghulam Asghar, Allama Muhammad Hussain Azad, Haji Muhammad Hanif, Sheikh Muhammad Aslam and Arif Ch also addressed the programme. A large number of women attended the ceremony.

Throwing light on history and contributions of MQI, the speakers said that it was on October 17, 1980 that Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri founded MQI in Lahore. They said that MQI made enormous contributions for promotion of peace and knowledge in the last 36 years. They said that the workers rendered sacrifices in man and material while waging a struggle against oppressive and exploitative system. They said that establishment of Islamic centres in 90 countries, 600 schools, one chartered university, over 40 colleges, Orphan Care Home, Bait-uz-Zahra, Farid-e-Millat Research Institute, and Minhaj Welfare Foundation are some of the chief contributions of MQI.

Hafiz Ghulam Farid said in his speech that Minhaj Welfare Foundation has been in the forefront of efforts to work for the suffering humanity. He said that signature projects such as collective marriage ceremonies, sacrifices on Eid, water projects in Sindh, and employment schemes are being run for years. He said that Farid-e-Millat Research Institute performed a rare feat of publishing 500 works of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri under his patronage in different languages of the world and these masterpieces of knowledge are spreading light in darkness. He said that translation of the Holy Quran, publication of renowned Fatwa against terrorism and suicide bombing, and designing of Counter-Terrorism Peace Curriculum.

Syed Altaf Shah Gilani threw light on educational services of MQI besides detailing programmes that are held under MQI for promotion of spiritual values in the society.