'Prayer Night' on the 59th birthday of Shaykh-ul-Islam

On the occasion of the 59th birthday of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, Minhaj-ul-Quran International organized a prayer night in the Suffa Hall of its central secretariat on February 19, 2010. Sahibzada Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri; president of MQI's Supreme Council presided over the programme, whereas Sahibzada Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri was the guest of honour on the occasion. Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi; Secretary General of MQI, Sheikh Zahid Fayyaz, Shaykh Abdul Aziz Dabbagh, Raja Zahid Mahmood Qadri, Allama Ahmad Nawaz Anjum, Rana Farooq Mahmood, Mufti Abdul Qayyum Khan Hazarvi, Prof Muhammad Nawaz Zafar, Dr Zahoor Ullah Qadri and other central leaders were also present in the programme.

With recitation from the Holy Quran, the formal proceedings of the programme got underway at 10:30 p.m. Qari Anser Ali Qadri presented Naat afterwards. Imran Abbas, cameraman from the Minhaj Productions, presented anthem in the honour of Shaykh-ul-Islam. Singer Khurram Khalid presented a special 'kalam' about Shaykh-ul-Islam in Urdu, Arabic and English languages. The audience appreciated his performance and gave him thunderous applause.

Basit Ali and his companions presented a tribute to Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri in Arabic and Urdu languages. Amir-e-Punjab Ahmad Nawaz Anjum presented his renowned 'kalam', a tribute to Shaykh-ul-Islam, encased in huge sized frame to Sahibzada Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, which he appreciated a lot.

Minhaj Productions showed a brief documentary about the life and achievements of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri. Another presentation of the Minhaj Productions was the performance of renowned singer Mazhar Hussain Qureshi. He sung his Urdu 'kalam' about Shaykh-ul-Islam in his characteristic style and won many rounds of applause from the audience. Shahzad Brothers also performed on the occasion and presented special prayer about Shaykh-ul-Islam, which was appreciated a lot.

Speaking in the ceremony, Sahibzada Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri said that the message of MQI was promotion of peace, harmony and interfaith dialogue. Those who wanted this message to be promoted in the world should join MQI caravan. Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri is making untiring efforts to spread the same message in the world day and night. We would have to support him in his efforts. We need to renew our pledge on the Quaid Day that we would continue with our sacrifices for the progress and prosperity of Islam. He said that it was an occasion of both happiness and introspection.

The special note of his speech was the spiritual benefit of the letters spelling Muhammad in Arabic among the exalted pious of the Umma and Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has received the lion's share. The Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) has showered on him his benevolence, mercy and compassion most generously and Shakh-ul-Islam is busy distributing what he receives amongst the entire Umma, especially among those who are committed to the cause of the Prophetic Mission, and are accompanying him and following his foot steps in spreading the message of love and peace e.i. Islam in the world.

Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi said in his speech that this was the 59th birthday of our beloved leader. We needed to spend the auspicious day in a manner as to show our emotional attachment with our leader besides reviving our pledge to work more efficiently and penetratingly for the advancement of his message i.e. the message of peace, harmony and interfaith dialogue. We should make special prayers to our Lord to give long life, stable health to our leader and progress of the Muslim Umma. He said that the cancer of terrorism and extremism had permeated the entire body of Pakistan; we need to act and act fast to stem its pernicious advance besides praying for its complete elimination.

On the conclusion of the ceremony, all leaders cut the cake of the 59th birthday of Shaykh-ul-Islam. The hall roared with the slogans of "Happy Birthday to you". Special 'Salam' was offered on the Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) followed by the concluding Dua led by Sahibzada Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri. Special prayers were made for the long life and good health of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri. Waqas Ali Qadri conducted the proceedings of the programme.