Merry Christmas Program at Minhaj-ul-Quran

Dated: 02 January 2006

To share the joys of Christmas and New Year with Christian brothers and sisters, MQI managed an exquisite program at the Central Secretariat. Renowned politicians and intellectuals from both the communities were invited to the program and was presided by Shaykh-ul-Islam Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri (Founder & Patron in Chief Minhaj ul Quran International & Chairman Muslim Christian Dialogue Forum.)

Dr. Andrew Francis (Reverend Bishop, Multan), Mr. Akram Maseeh Gill (MNA), Mr. Faisal Hayat Jabwana (MPA), Father Joseph Francis, Mr. Reverend Marqas Fida (Chairman IGM Church) and Reverend Father Nasir Gulfam, Dr.Saleem Massery, Mr. Anwar Zahid and Mr. Javaid Akhtar were the guests of honor. Mr. Muhammad Mustafa (G.M. Malik) (Principal Secretary to Dr. Qadri), Allamsa Miskeen Faiz-ur-Rrehman (Central Ameer-e-Tehreek), Mr.Daood Hussain Mash'hadi (Director Directorate of Foreign Affairs), Allama Karrarvi, Mr. Sajid Mehmood Bhatti (Director Minhaj Welfare Foundation) and many more Executive members of Minhaj ul Quran also delighted the ceremony with their pleasant presence.

Mr. Anwaar Akhtar ((Advocate) Chief Organizer Pakistan Awami Lawers Movement, Secretary General Pakistan Awami Tehreek) pleasantly anchored the program. Right after recitation of the Holy Quran by Qari Allah Bakhsh Naqshbandi, verses of The Holy Bible were recited.

The Secretary General, Minhaj ul Quran International, Dr. Raheeq Ahmed Abbasi delivered his welcome speech by throwing light upon the need of global peace. He suggested extensive efforts for eradication of increasing extremism, terrorism and clashes among the civilizations. Afterwards, he highlighted the struggle of Minhaj ul Quran International for global harmony and peace.

While representing the women, Mrs. Ghazala Hassan Qadri (Member Supreme Council , Minhaj ul Quran International and Secretary General Minhaj ul Quran International Women League) gave an overview of past and present situations of global peace and emphasized on breaking the walls of prejudices and quitting biases. She also quoted her first experience of listening to the life changing address of The Chairman Muslim Christian Dialogue Forum at U.K. In his address he referred The Holy Prophet (Peace Be upon Him) allowed a Christian delegation to offer prayers in Masjid e Nabvi.

During his concise speech The Chairman Muslim Christian Dialogue Forum Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri clarified the concept of 'Milaad' to the audience and provided a brief comparison between Milad e Nabi & Christmas. While describing the difference between believers and non-believers he categorized them on the basis of belief on the revealed books, i.e. Muslims, Christians and Jews are the believers and all others are non-believers. The Chairman Muslim Christian Dialogue Forum Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri also highlighted the significance of Christmas by quoting references from the Holy Quran. He told the audience that a person will be considered non-Muslim even if he believes in the 5 pillars of Islam but only denies the prophet hood of the Jesus Christ.

He announced that Christians could come and pray in mosques being run by Minhaj ul Quran International. The doors of mosques are open to Christians in Pakistan and all over the world.

Finally, the Chief Guest Mr. Dr. Andrew Francis delivered his speech in four languages. Speaking at the occasion, Bishop Dr. Andrew Francis said that Dr. Qadri has always been a torchbearer in promoting interfaith harmony between Islam and Christianity. He expressed his happiness about the Christmas and New Year. He warmly greeted everybody and appreciated the administration for its wonderful management of the program. He also thanked The Chairman Muslim Christian Dialogue Forum Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri a lot and appreciated his efforts for global peace and harmony. He winded up his address by a delivering a message of hope and peace to both of the communities.

Chairman MCDF Dr. Muhammad Tahir ul Qadri is addressing the audience

(left to right) Dr. Saleem Messi, Dr Marqas Fida, Dr. Andrew Francis, Chairman MCDF Dr. Muhammad Tahir ul Qadri and Reverend Father Nasir Gulfam are cutting the Christmas cake