National leaders pay tribute to Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri in 'Ambassador of Peace Seminar'

Dated: 28 February 2011

Seated on the stage are (from left) Dr Farooq Sattar, MQM’s central leader, Akram Zakki, former Secretary General of the Foreign Office, Sahibzada Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, president of MQI’s Supreme Council, Pir Sayyid Amin-ul-Hasnat, Sahibzada Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani, MQI's central Amir, Senator S.M. Zafar,ex-federal minister for law and Imran Masood, former provincial minister for education on the occasion of "Ambassador of Peace Seminar".

The audience of ‘Ambassador of Peace Seminar’ listening to the views of the speakers

On the auspicious occasion of the 60th birthday of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, the founding leader of Minhaj-ul-Quran International and a leading authority on Islam in the contemporary world, speakers in a national seminar paid him glowing tribute for promotion of peace and his intellectual and scholarly services for elimination of terrorism and extremism. “An Ambassador of Peace Seminar” organized under the banner of Minhaj-ul-Quran International was attended among others by Dr Farooq Sattar, MQM’s central leader, Akram Zakki, former Secretary General of the Foreign Office, Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, president of MQI’s Supreme Council, Senator S.M. Zafar, Pir Sayyid Amin-ul-Hasnat, Sohail Warriach, Imran Masood and Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi, Secretary General of MQI. These leaders cut the cake of Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri’s birth anniversary.

Akram Zakki, Dr Farooq Sattar, Sahibzada Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, Pir Amin-ul-Hasnat, Sahibzada Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani and Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi cutting cake of Shaykh-ul-Islam's 60th birth anniversary. Sahibzada Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani, Brig. (r ) Iqbal Ahmad Khan, Raja Zahid Mahmood, Sajid Bhatti and others are also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Sahibzada Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, President of MQI’s Supreme Council, said that Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri is a paragon of love, peace and harmony and every word uttered by him is a fountain of love and peace. He is no doubt fulfilling a great responsibility of reconstructing the religious thought in accordance with the demands of the modern times. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, he added, is playing the role of a bridge between the world of Islam and West. He further said that Shaykh-ul-Islam is an ideal for the coming generations and his teachings would continue to serve as a beacon of light for time to come.

Sahibzada Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri addressing ‘Ambassador of Peace Seminar’

Sahibzada Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri said that Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has the understanding, capability and stature to address the issues being faced by the Muslim world today. His personality, he said, is worthy of pride for the entire Muslim Umma. He added that Shaykh-ul-Islam is moving ahead by holding onto the person of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and is the protector of the respect of the revered Prophet (peace be upon him). “He is engrossed in the gnosis of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and is ever keen to serve the Muslim world in different ways. He is a man of conviction who is spreading the love and respect for the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) in the world,” he added. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri said that the raging fires of terrorism and extremism would get extinguished by the ideas and ideals of Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri. Historic Fatwa against Terrorism authored by him would go a long way in offering intellectual guidance to the Muslims.

Sahibzada Amin-ul-Hasnat speaking to the participants of the seminar

Addressing the Seminar, Sahibzada Pir Amin-ul-Hasnat said that both his father and he had long relationship with Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri and his coming generations would also keep this relationship intact. He said that he acknowledged Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri as Shaykh-ul-Islam without any doubt and hesitation, for he has highlighted the Islamic concept of peace and love by burning his mid-night oil. He said that the actions of Shaykh-ul-Islam’s children and followers smack of his lofty ideals. That is why he is the revivalist of the modern times and we must pray to Almighty Allah for his long life and health.

Renowned legal expert and former federal minister for law Senator S.M. Zafar and Imran Masood, the former provincial minister for education, speak at the ‘Ambassador of Peace Seminar’.

In his speech, Senator S.M. Zafar said that Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri is a scholar par excellence and his scholarship makes him a legendary figure. The chief quality of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri is that he is fighting on dual fronts. On the one hand, he is removing the misconceptions created by our co-religionists and also purging the western mind of the fears, doubts and misconceptions about Islam on the other. He said that he benefits from Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri’s books and he is no doubt ambassador of peace and love in the world.

Dr Farooq Sattar, ex-federal minister and deputy convener of MQM’s Coordination Committee, expressing his views in the Seminar

Speaking to the audience, Dr Farooq Sattar, Deputy Convener of MQM, said that the name of Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri figures prominently among some of the bright rays of hope in Pakistan. He said that MQM’s chief Altaf Hussain is a big fan of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri who is spreading pure and original knowledge in the world. He further added that Dr Qadri might have said goodbye to politics but politics has not left him. His teachings and thoughts, he said, are beacon of light for politicians and political parties. Dr Farooq Sattar said that by authoring 600-page Fatwa against terrorism, Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri has drawn a clear-cut line between true and false scholars. Today the efforts being made for tolerance and moderation have the support of Fatwa. “Had Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri not given this Fatwa, the collective struggle against the extremist and terrorist attitudes might not have taken off. Pakistan of the Quaid-e-Azam needs to be wrested from the clutches of Baitullahs. Shaykh-ul-Islam has rejected the hollowed theory of Clash of Civilizations by giving his Fatwa and offered practical guidance to make world a hub of peace,” he concluded.

Akram Zakki, former Secretary General of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivering his speech at the Seminar

Akram Zakki, former Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the entire world is appreciative of the scholarly services of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri and rightfully acknowledges the role played by him for promotion of peace and harmony in the world. Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri has the support of entire nation in his efforts to reconstruct a peaceful society.

Dr Raheeq Abbasi, Secretary General of MQI, addressing the ‘Ambassador of Peace Seminar’

Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi, Secretary General of MQI, said on the occasion that the purpose of Shaykh-ul-Islam’s life is the promotion of peace and reform of the Islamic world. He is playing an effective role against secular and religious fundamentalisms. He said that when face of Islam was being disfigured by the acts of terrorism, the courageous voice of Shaykh-ul-Islam knocked the bottom from under the feat of terrorists and their supporters. He said that extremism and terrorism is a poison, which is eating into the vitals of Pakistan and Islamic world. Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri is fulfilling his responsibility of saving the humanity from the ill effects of this poison.

Renowned journalist and intellectual Sohail Warriach and Dr. Shabih-ul-Hassan, speak at the ‘Ambassador of Peace Seminar’.

Renowned journalist and analyst of Geo TV Sohail Warriach said that Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri is an institution in himself and his organization, Minhaj-ul-Quran International, has left Jamat-e-Islami far behind. There is no blot of corruption on his personality and he is taking all schools of thought with him. The focus of his efforts is to find a way out to unify the Muslim world. “Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri has spread awareness about the women rights in the society, which is no less than a miracle. Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri authored Fatwa against Terrorism at a time when everyone was afraid of terrorists but he threw light on all aspects with courage for elimination of this monster,” he added.

Sayyid Altaf Hussain Shah and Shafique ur Rehman Saad speaking at the seminar

Addressing the seminar, Imran Masood, former provincial minister, said that outreach of MQI in the five continents of the world is startling. By giving Fatwa against terrorism, Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri has undertaken a comprehensive research work on the subject. His Fatwa is a courageous book and every Pakistani must make it a point to read it. Renowned intellectual Dr Shabih-ul-Hassan also spoke on the occasion.