16th Collective Marriages ceremony under MWF held

The 16th Collective Marriages ceremony for 23 couples was held here in Model Town under the banner of Minhaj Welfare Foundation (MWF). The scholars of Minhaj Ulama Council solemnized the nikah of the Muslim couples whereas the marriage rites of one Christian couple were performed according to their religious teachings.

Chairman of the MQI Supreme Council Dr Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri presided over the ceremony, whereas those present on the occasion included provincial minister for health Dr Yasmeen Rashid, provincial minister for human rights Ijaz Alam, vice president of MQI Brig. (r ) Iqbal Ahmad Khan, PAT Secretary General Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, Director MWF Syed Amjad Ali Shah, GM Malik, Ms. Jahan Ara Wattoo, MPA Ayesha Nawaz, member of AJK legislative assembly Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Dewan, Shabbir Siyal, Rana Fayyaz, Jawad Hamid, Hafiz Ghulam Farid, Sohail Ahmad Raza, Haji Muhammad Ishaq, Shahzad Rasool, Ayesha Mubashar, Sajid Bhatti, Tayyab Zia, Mazhar Alvi, Muft Abdul Qayyum Khan Hazarvi, Dr Abid Aziz from Holland, Tahir Bhatti, Shafique Qadri, Ali Tiger, Imran Naqvi, Haji Muhammad Aslam, and Azam Chaudhry from France.

Every bride was given household stuff of Rs. 2 lacs each. 1500 guests were served food. The brides got ready in a special beauty parlour set up at the central secretariat. The marriage processions started coming from 10 am and continued arriving till 2 pm. Every marriage procession was warmly received by the MQI and PAT leaders. The MWL leaders welcomed the brides on their arrival. Special gifts were given to the brides and the grooms on behalf of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri.

MWF Director Syed Amjad Ali Shah presented the welcome address in which he thanked the honorable guests for sparing time to attend the mass marriage ceremony. He threw light on the welfare projects being undertaken by MWF in the country.

In her address, provincial minister for health Dr Yasmeen Rashid said that the Holy Prophet (SAW) described Hazrat Fatima (RA) as head of the women in paradise. She said that those who worry on the birth of daughters should know that it is these daughters who come to the rescue and support of aging parents at a time when no one is there for them. Giving a message to the newlywed couples, she asked them to educate their children. She said that the only reason that she stood up to and contested an election against former PM Nawaz Sharif was her educational competence. She congratulated MQI on its initiative to hold the mass marriage ceremony, stating that such welfare activities should be lauded. She said that Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri has done justice to the responsibility of fulfilling human rights without discrimination of caste, creed and colour. She said that MQI has not only been promoting the Islamic message of peace, love and harmony but also making amazing contributions in the realm of human welfare.

Provincial minister for human rights Ijaz Alam congratulated the newly married couples and expressed his best wishes for their happy future. He said that Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri always talked about human rights and peace. He paid his rich tributes to the patron-in-chief of the MQI for his meritorious services in multiple fields.

In his keynote speech, Dr Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri said that MQI is committed to the Islamic concept of human brotherhood and spiritual values. He said that helping the needy is a form of worship. He said that MQI has only fulfilled its religious and spiritual duty by arranging the mass marriage ceremony. He thanked all the guests for their time and said that it is our religious and moral duty to help those who are in acute need of help.

MPA Ayesha Nawaz and Ms. Jahan Ara Wattoo appreciated the services of MQI in the field of human welfare. They said that the first and foremost duty of an Islamic state is to take care of the less privileged sections of society.

Mufti Abdul Qayyum Khan Hazarvi led the Dua. The Muslim brides were seen off under the shadow of the Holy Quran. The women present in the hall had tears on this emotional moment. Khurram Nawaz Gandpaur thanked the guests in his concluding remarks. Allama Waqas Qadri conducted the proceedings of the entire event.