Dr Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri pays 7-day visit to Iran

Dated: 17 November 2013

Dr Hassan Qadri with Ayatullah Sayyid Ahmad Alam-al-Huda and the Governor of Khurasan Province

17th November, 2013

The delegation of Minhaj-ul-Quran International (MQI) led by Dr Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, Chairman of the Supreme Council of MQI arrived at Mash'had International Airport at 11 p.m. as per Iranian standard time. Other members of the delegation were Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, Secretary General of MQI, Sohail Ahmad Raza, Director Interfaith Relations and In-charge of Iran Desk MQI, and Mian Zahid Islam, Coordinator Media MQI. Upon arrival, the delegation was welcomed at the VIP lounge of the airport by Deputy Director of Islamic Cultural Relations Organization, Mash'had Dr Malakuti, Dr. Hyder Reza Zabeth, Research Fellow Islamic Research Foundation Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S) Mash'had, Counselor of Pakistan, and Dr Habib Mullai, and the Secretary of the Organizing Committee of the First International Congress of the Holy Quran Azad University in Mash'had.

18th November, 2013 Morning at 9 am

The delegation paid a visit to the Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S), offered Fateha and took a round of the different courtyards and attached Mosque in the precincts of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S). Before noon, Dr. Hassan Mohi-Din-Qadri and accompanying delegation visited the Bazavi University of Islamic Sciences adjacent to the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S) where Dr. Hassan Qadri inspected the main library and different faculties of the University. Later on, Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri addressed the roundtable session at the VC Chamber of the University which was attended by the Deans of the different faculties. He gave an introduction of the activities of Minhaj-ul-Quran International (MQI). The delegation representing Razavi University of Islamic Sciences was led by Dr. Roshan Zameer, Principal Administration of the University. During his talk, he stressed the bilateral exchange between RUIS and MQI with special reference to Minhaj University, Lahore and RUIS, Mashhad. The Faculty members of the RUIS Mashhad asked many questions about MQI activities and scholarly works of Shaykh-ul-Islam, Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri. Dr Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri gave detailed answers to all of them. He presented a set of books written by Shaykh-ul-Islam, Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri to the Principal of RUIS Mashhad. It was decided that the process of signing MOU between RUIS, Mashhad and MQI, Lahore be initiated and MOU should be signed by the officials either in Lahore or Mashhad.

The Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S)

At 5 pm on November 18, 2013, Dr Hassan Mohi-ud-din Qadri addressed a well-attended press conference at the headquarters of Fars News Agency in Mashhad. It is the leading news agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Reporters from leading newspapers and news agencies from Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikstan based in Mashhad attended the press conference. The Press Conference continued for more than two hours and Dr. Hassan explained the stance and view point of Shaykh-ul-Islam, Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri. He said that Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri condemned all the terrorist activities being carried out in the Islamic world and shed light on the roadmap of MQI to unite the Muslims of the world into a single United Ummah. The representatives of the news agencies and newspapers who attended the press conference gave wide coverage to the press conference. Prominent news was published along with photographs of Dr. Hassan Qadri. The national TV channel of the Islamic Republic of Iran also conducted an exclusive interview with Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri and asked him about the viewpoint of Shaykh-ul-Islam about the terrorist activities of ‘Takfiris’. He explained the historical Fatwa authored by Shaykh-ul-Islam, Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri that proved with Quranic and Hadith references that the terrorist ‘Takfiris’ are the ‘Khawarij’ of the present era who are bent upon destroying the Ummah of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) as per the agenda of the enemies of Islam. The news item was carried and broadcast in all the TV channels and radio stations of Iran and also delivered to the press and its publication had great impact on the viewers and listeners.

Dr Hassan Mohi-ud-din Qadri addresses press conference at the headquarters of Fars News Agency in Mashhad

19th November, 2013

Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri and the accompanying delegation of MQI visited the Central Library located within the precincts of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S) and saw the book shelves, visited the reading halls, auditorium, and digitalized library. The Mosque of the central Library had walls that had been made of carved wood. Dr Hassan was welcomed by the Chairman of the Organization of Libraries, Museums and Documents Deeds of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S), Dr. Muhammad Hadi Zahedi, who appreciated the efforts of Shaykh-ul-Islam, Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri for bringing about unity among the Muslims and exposing the real face of the ‘Khawarej’ of the present era. Dr. Zahedi was presented with a set of books written by Shaykh-ul-Islam. Dr. Zahedi requested for the complete collection of the books of Shaykh-ul-Islam, Dr. Tahir ul Qadri, which will be displayed and preserved in the researchers’ reading hall so that scholars and researchers could accomplish M. Phil and PhD degree on the life and works of Shaykh-ul-Islam, Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri. Dr. Hassan Qadri said that he would send a complete collection of the works of Shaykh-ul-Islam to the researchers’ reading and reference hall of this library which is considered as the largest library in Iran and Islamic world and fourth largest library in the world. The library of the Holy Shrine contains 97,000 manuscripts in Arabic, Persian, Urdu and other languages and 11,500 copies of the Holy Quran in the form of manuscripts. The present strength of this great library is 2 million copies of books and with completion of the expansion plan, the total number of books will exceed 5 million in 67 languages. Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri and his accompanying delegation visited the Islamic Research Foundation of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S). This Library was established in 1983 and has so far published 1687 titles of books in 3,344 volumes in 15 different languages of the world. 129 leading researchers and Ulema are working in 21 research departments of the Islamic Research Foundation which is the leading Islamic Research Institute in Iran. It has to its credit the achievement of the publication of Great Encyclopedia of Holy Quran in Arabic in 60 Volumes in 58,000 pages: 87 of the books of this institute have won Best Book awards at the International and National levels. Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri was welcomed at Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S) by Dr. Ghulam Raza

, Deputy Director of IRF, who explained all the research activities of IRF to the MQI delegation. Dr. Hassan Qadri visited the “Biography and Genealogy Department” of the IRF which is the largest active department of IRF and addressed the researchers of the said department about the lives of the great ‘Urafa and Mashaikheen’ with particular reference to the sub-continent.

A group photo of Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, Dr Hassan Mohi ud Din Qadri, Ayatullah Ali Akbar Khurasani

Dr Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri presenting his PhD thesis to Ayatullah Ali Akbar Khurasani

Afterwards Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri had an hour long discussion with Ayatullah Ali Akbar Uahi Khurasani, the Managing Director of IRF and the ways of developing relations between MQI and IRF were discussed in detail. It was decided by IRF to translate the book of “Fatwa on Terrorism and Suicide Bombings” by Shaykh-ul-Islam as well as the thesis written by Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri titled “Constitution of Medina and Modern Constitutional Principles (A Comparative and Analytical Study).” into Persian and present them in the upcoming Tehran International Book Fair in May 2014.

During the evening Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri and MQI delegation visited the headquarters of Al-Mustafa (S.A.W) International University in Mashhad and met the Principal of the University Dr. Mahdawi Mehr and discussed about the exchange of students and signing of MOU between MQI and Al-Mustafa (S.A.W) International University. Al- Mustafa (S.A.W) International University has more than 5000 students from 85 countries. A group of Urdu speaking students of this university met Dr. Hassan Qadri and exchanged greetings with him.

20th November, 2013

Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri was the keynote speaker at the inaugural session of the First International Congress of the Holy Quran in Mashhad which was held in the main auditorium of the Free Islamic University, Mashhad. The two-day International Congress of the Holy Quran was attended by hundreds of leading scholars of the Holy Quran from Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, USA, Canada, Tunisia, Kuwait and Kazakhstan. The International Congress was inaugurated with a message from Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, which was read by Mr. Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, the Secretary General of the MQI. In his message, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri stressed the need of conducting regular seminars, Congresses and sessions regarding the Holy Quran in different parts of the world to propagate the message of universal love, peace and brotherhood to humanity at large. Dr Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, the keynote speaker of the inaugural session, elaborated on the verses of The Holy Quran which were revealed in Madinah and formed the basis of first ever written Constitution of the human history. During his presence in the inaugural session of the Congress, scholars from different countries met Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri and the Quran News Agency of Iran and leading Farsi daily newspaper “Quds” conducted exclusive interviews with him in which different aspects of the research on the Holy Quran by Shaykh-ul-Islam were elaborated by Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri.

Dr Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri addresses Quran Conference, Iran

Participants of Quran Conference, Mash'had Iran

During the evening, the MQI delegation led by Dr. Hassan visited the tomb of Hakum Mir Mumin Astarabadi, the great gnostic of the 16TH century buried in Mashhad. Dr. Ghulam Raza Jalali, the Deputy Director of the Islamic Research Foundation of the Astan Quds Bazavi (Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S) met Dr. Hassan Qadri and sought his guidance regarding his research work on the Sufi chains of the South Asian sub-continent.

Director General of the Islamic Cultural Relations Organization (ICRO) Mashhad, Dr. Ameer Mashhadi, hosted a dinner in honour of Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri and his delegation in which all the officials of ICRO from Mashhad and Tehran participated. During this session different aspects of bilateral cooperation between ICRO and MQI were discussed.

Dr Hassan Mohi ud Din Qadri giving Permission of the 'Asaneed' of Shaykh-ul-Islam
to Dr Ghulam Raza Jalali, the Deputy Director Islamic Research Foundation

Dr Hassan Mohi ud Din Qadri visiting the stall of Minhaj-ul-Quran International in Islamic Book Fair, Iran

21st November, 2013

Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri delivered a research paper in the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) of the AQB on the Status of Prophet’s Household in the light of Hadith. The paper was read in 90 minutes and the gathering of renowned researchers present in the session highly applauded the paper of Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri.

In the evening, Dr. Hassan Qadri was the Chief Guest at the closing session of the First International Congress of the Holy Quran. He distributed prizes to the writers of best articles for the Congress. He presented the translation and commentary of the Holy Quran by Shaykh-ul-Islam in English to Professor Muhammad Jawad Parig, Vice- Chancellor of the Free Islamic University of Iran. This University with 134 campuses throughout Iran is considered as the largest University of the Islamic World.

Dr Hassan Qadri presenting the Glorious Quran, a translation of the Holy Book by Shaykh-ul-Islam
to Dr. Habib Mullai (Secretary of the organizing Committee of the First International Congress of the Holy Quran in Mashhad)

22nd November, 2013

Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri and MQI delegation paid visit to the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S) to attend the Juma prayers. After the Juma prayers, Dr Hassan Qadri met with Ayatullah Sayyid Ahmed Alam-al-Huda, Imam Juma of Mashhad and discussed with him various issues of the Islamic world for 30 minutes in Arabic. During this meeting the Governor of Khurasan Province, the Commander-in-Chief of Navy of Iran and Lt. Gen Moqaddam, Commander-in-Chief of Border Security Force and Police of Iran were present. They appreciated the efforts of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri for the unity in the Muslim Ummah. Ayatullah Alam al-Huda, Imam Jumma of Mashhad, who is considered as one of the leading religious scholars of Mashhad, extended an official invitation to Shaykh-ul-Islam to visit Mashhad as his guest for the pilgrimage of the Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S). The invitation was accepted by Dr. Hassan Qadri on behalf of Shaykh-ul-Islam. The meeting of Dr. Hassan Qadri with the leading religious scholars of Mashhad was telecast by the TV channel of Khurasan province. In the evening, Dr. Hassan Qadri visited “Koh Sangi Park” of Mashhad which is a very famous and beautiful place. After that, he attended a dinner hosted by the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S).

Ayatullah Sayyid Alam al-Huda, Governor of Khurasan, Dr Hassan Mohi ud Din Qadri,
Lt. Gen Moqaddam (Commander-in-Chief of Border Security Force), Commander-in-Chief of Navy of Iran

23rd November, 2013

Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri visited the College of Islamic Studies of the Ferdowsi Mashhad University and was welcomed by the Principal of the College. Dr. Hassan inspected the library of the College and met the faculty members of the College in the conference hall. The Principal of the College gave a report about the educational programs of the College and expressed the Colleges’ readiness to cooperate with Minahaj ul Quran International in the exchange of students and faculty members. Then, Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, on the invitation of Professor Emeritus Muhammad Jafar Yahagi, the distinguished scholar of Persian language and literature, visited the Allama Muhammad Iqbal Research Center in the Ferdowsi Mashhad University and a report of the studies regarding Allama Iqbal, the national Poet of Iran and Pakistan was given to Dr. Hassan Qadri. He then, attended the session of the distinguished scholars of Persian language and literature at the college of Languages and Literature of the Ferdowsi Mashhad University in which it was decided that Minhaj-ul-Quran University, Lahore will establish a Persian Department and Center of Learning for Persian Language in Lahore with the help of the faculty members of the College of Languages and Literature of the Ferdowsi Mashhad University.

Dr Hassan Mohi ud Din Qadri's talks to the Professors of Ferdowsi University, Mash'had Iran

MQI delegation led by Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri also visited the Center of Learning Persian Language in the University where students from different countries are enrolled for learning the Persian Language. It was decided by Dr. Hassan to invite the Director of the Center of Persian Language of Ferdowsi Mashhad University, to MQ University Lahore to carry out preliminary and feasibility studies for establishment of the Department of Persian and the Center of Persian Language in the MQ University in Lahore. Ferdowsi Mashhad University and the MQ University, Lahore, expressed their readiness to sign an MOU to strengthen and expand bilateral scientific and educational cooperation and exchange of students and faculty members between these two Universities of the two brotherly countries of Iran and Pakistan.

Dr Hassan Mohi ud Din Qadri giving books written by Shaykh ul Islam to Prof. D.M.J. Yahagi, Ferdowsi University

24th November, 2013

On Sunday, Dr. Hassan Qadri and his accompanying delegation were invited to the Consulate of Pakistan on the occasion of celebration of Allama Iqbal day. This was a well-attended conference with the DG of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Gh. Arbab Khales, Dr. Prof Muhammad Jaafar Yahagi the Director of Center of Excellence for Ferdowsi studies of the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and Mr. Amini Mashhadi of Sazman-e-Farhang. Mr. Qazi Habib-ur-Rehman, the Consul for Pakistan asked Dr. Hassan Qadri to speak about the message and spirit of Allama Iqbal. This talk given by Dr. Hassan Qadri was well received by the learned audience. Later, The Consul hosted a lunch for all the participants.

Dr Hassan Mohi ud Din Qadri with Qazi Habib ur Rahman (Consul) and Gh. Arbab Khales (Head of Mission) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iran

In the afternoon, Dr. Hassan Qadri and his delegation visited the Ferdowsi University Scientific and International Relations Office and was received by the Director of the Center of Excellence, Dr. Abiden Vahedian. There was a detailed exchange of views and a discussion about admissions to the Ferdowsi University as well as a brief about the various programs being offered by the University. Mr. Amini Mashhadi the Director of Sazman-e-Farhang, Mashhad accompanied the delegation.

Later on in the evening, the delegation departed for Pakistan and was seen off at the airport VIP lounge by the DY Director of Sazman-e-Farhang, Mashhad, Dr. Malakooti. The delegation arrived in Lahore and 0500 hours and was received by officials from Minhaj-ul-Quran International.

Various Pictorial Highlights

Front view of the Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S)

Dr Malakooti, Dr Hassan Mohi ud Din Qadri, Amini Mashhadi, Khurram Nawaz, Sohail Ahmed Raza at the Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S)

A frontal view of the Shrine of Abu Hamid Imam al-Ghazali (RA)

Dr Hassan Qadri with delegation visiting the Shrine of Abu Hamid Imam al-Ghazali (RA)

Dr Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri addresses Quran Conference, Iran

Participants of Quran Conference, Mash'had Iran

A group photo of Dr Hasan Qadri with Prof M Jawed Parig, Vice Chancellor of Azad Islamic University
& Other guests in Quran Conference Mash'had, Iran

Dr Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri addresses the Ulama and Mashaykh, Professors of the Islamic Research Foundation, Mash'had Iran

Dr Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri addresses Ulama and Mashaykh, Professors of the Islamic Research Foundation, Mash'had Iran

Dr Hassan Mohi ud Din Qadri giving Permission of the 'Asaneed' of Shaykh-ul-Islam
to Dr Ghulam Raza Jalali, the Deputy Director Islamic Research Foundation and presenting books authored by Shaykh-ul-Islam