Historic Fatwa of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri represents mystic teachings: Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi

Addressing a seminar organized by Bazm-e-Qadiria (Minhaj University) on the subject of “Teachings of Sayyidena Hajvir and Eradication of Terrorism”, Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi, Secretary General of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, has said that terrorism is a reality which cannot be wished away. This cancer emanates from conservatism and evolves into extremism if not cured in time. Still if no remedy of extremism is found out, it becomes terrorism having deadliest dimension for both state and society. He said that Islam has nothing to do with narrow-minded, radical and terrorist way of life. It, on the other hand, is a religion of peace, which espouses safety and security for humanity over and above the divides of sect, race, religion, colour and creed.

Dr Abbasi said that the teachings of Sayyidna Ali Hajveri offer practical guidance for the establishment of peaceful society. The mystics and Sufis are the advocates of peace whose teachings continue to serve as beacon of light for the entire humanity amid darkness and gloom. “The historic Fatwa authored by Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri is a classic representation of mystic and spiritual teachings in the present age. It has been acknowledged as an effective shield against the forces of terrorism and extremism,” he concluded.

Speaking on the occasion, Sahibzada Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani, Amir-e-Tehreek, said that Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri is the ambassador of peace and inheritor of legacy of the Sufis in the present age. The practical guideline given by Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri in his historic Fatwa can be instrumental in eliminating this terrorism in a span of years if its contents are translated into action.

Renowned scholar, Dr Zahoor Ahmad Azhar, said in his speech that the teachings of the Sufis are the valuable treasure of peace and love. Hazrat Ali Hajiveri (RA) made the sub-continent a land of peace 1000 years ago and we can make our society the paragon of peace and tranquility if we act upon his teachings in their entirety.

Sarfraz Sayyid, renowned journalist and intellectual, said in his remarks on the occasion that two personalities i.e. Mahmud Ghaznavi and Data Gunj Bakhsh travelled all the way from Gazna to Lahore. Data sahib did not resort to weapons but succeeded in conquering hearts and minds of people. His very personality was an incarnation of love, peace and accommodation. The peace, he said, can be established in our otherwise fractured society if we implement his thoughts in letter and spirit today. The promotion of mystic and spiritual teachings, he said, is a must to dismantle terrorism from our midst.

Makhdoom Nafees-ul-Hassan Shah Gillani from Uch Sahrif said in his speech that the best way to eliminate terrorism is to spread the Sufi teachings in Pakistan’s colleges, universities and educational institutions. He said that Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has done solid and concrete work against terrorism and extremism. There is a need to promote his thought to stem the onward march of these evil forces.

Hamid Raza, AJ&K’s Minister for Education, said in his address that the teachings of the Sufis are beacon of light and source of inspiration for humanity. The Sufis change the inner ethos and character of people within no time. Their teachings are effective bulwark against the attitudes of immoderation, lack of tolerance, and materialism. He added that confusion and misconception about Islam in the Western world can be removed if the teachings of the Sufis are popularized. The mystics teach us to respect humanity by crushing narrow-mindedness. They stand for inclusive and open society which is peace incarnate from within and without. Mysticism needs to be promoted to fight off the twin evils of terrorism and extremism, he said.

Pir Khalil-ur-Rehman Chishti, G.M. Malik, Sayyid Farhat Hussain Shah, Sayyid Altaf Gillani, Tahir Baghdadi, Shahzad Rasool Qadri, Sahibzada Iftikhar ul Hassan and Mudassar Mohi-ud-Din also spoke on the occasion.