Category Archives: IECRC Chapters

March 17, 2010   Canada, Culture, IECRC Chapters, Intercultural Communication, Islamic Months, Personalities, Prophets, Rabi ul-Awwal   2 Comments

PRESS REPORT – Interfaith Communication: A Bridge Among Nations

The Islamic Educational and Cultural Research Center (IECRC) and the Canadian Women Counseling Center (CWCC) jointly organized a grand gathering of an Interfaith Celebration of the Birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) titled “Interfaith Communication: A Bridge Among Nations” on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at York Conference Center in Surrey, British Columbia. The beautiful gathering was attended by over 450 men, women, and children of many diverse organizations, groups, faiths, and cultures from all walks of life.

Group Conference Speakers and Organizers

This was the 5th year in a row that the CWCC and IECRC have conducted this annual spiritual gathering commemorating the life and birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the final Prophet to humanity according to the Islamic tradition.  The conference was attended by interfaith representatives from several different religious groups including Pandit Acharya, Dr. Raminder Pal Singh, Mr. Allen Welding, along with representatives from the B.C. legislative assembly and the World Peace Federation, and heads of various social and political organizations.  The speeches delivered represented a wide variety of backgrounds and topics.

Audience

Mr. Allen Welding, President of the World Peace Federation and Christian Leader said that our heart is not bound by geography, and that “We are one family under God.” He added, “Cooperation is a way towards peace, and humanity is one body.  Humanity is not connected to God hence we harm one another. ”

Dr. Allen Welding

Dr. Raminder Pal Singh Kang, the well-known radio host of Sher-e-Punjab gave a direct message to the audience in which he mentioned the relationships between Muslims and Sikhs in history. Dr. Kang mentioned that the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the holiest place in Sikhism, had its first stone layed by a Muslim, and that Hazrat Baba Farid’s (may God have mercy on him) writings are a part of the Guru Granth Sahib.  Dr. Kang reminded the audience that people have less time to read and study, and thus misinformation is spreading.  He shared his experience describing how he had became a student of Islamic Philosophy after he had hosted several shows with Dr. Qadri about Islam on Sher-e-Punjab where “you can always talk about other mazhabs (faiths). ”

Dr. Raminder Pal Singh

Pandit Acharya Shrinath Prasad Dwivedi, a Hindu scholar, said that peace on Earth starts with the individual, not with an organization. With the modern world, distances are reduced, but barriers within the heart need to be broken.  Pandit Acharya recited a self-composed piece of poetry in praise of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) that delighted the audience.

Pandit Acharya Shrinath Prasad Dwivedi

Senior government representatives were also present during the occasion.  Bruce Ralston, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Surrey-Whalley, briefly wished all conference attendees well and congratulated the organizers on the conference. He also mentioned that what impressed most about Islam was its prohibition of Usury and the establishment of Zakat (the poor due).

Sukh Dhaliwal, MP of Surrey, mentioned that all religions emphasize social justice, that the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was about social justice, human rights, and equality, and similarly that of Guru Nanak. Mr. Dhaliwal said that we can believe in different values, come from different cultures, and be different, yet at the same time love each other, respect each other, and thus “we have taken ourselves beyond tolerance, we have accepted each other.” He said that religious organizations are instrumental in providing social services, and congratulated Dr. Qadri and the attendees for promoting justice, accepting all communities, and conveyed greetings on behalf of the assembly.

Vice Consul General Tipu Usman of the Pakistan Consulate in Vancouver emphasized the need for dialogue as a way and basis to promote trust, and not as a platform for argumentation.

MLA Bruce Ralston

MP Sukh Dhaliwal

Vice Consul General Tipu Usman

Shakyh Ismael Khaleeq, Imam of the Kautharriyah Hussayniyyah Islamic Center, said that different cultures are like different colors in a garden; a garden is more beautiful with a variety of colors. He exhorted the audience to understand that ends do not justify the means, and to live a compassionate and loving life with each other.

Sheikh Ismael Khaleeq

Maulana Tayyib Qasmi, Principal of the Chilliwack Islamic College gave a brief but effective speech on the importance of remembering and honoring the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), especially in the spirit of coming together as one community. He humbly prayed that his presence in this blessed gathering would become a means for his forgiveness on t he Day of Judgment.

Maulana Tayyib Qasmi

Mr. Tanveer Choudhary of the Pakistani Cultural Association spoke about the impact Allamah Iqbal, Pakistan’s famous national poet also known as the Poet of the East, had in a unified view of man and his place in the world. Maulana Abdul Lateef Nomani, Imam of the Fiji Islamic Center, highlighted the compassionate and self-sacrificing nature of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Syeda Zille Humma and Fatima Sharaaz, both IECRC representatives from the United States, spoke about the meaning of love for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and how the Prophet (peace be upon him) elevated the status and esteem of women by introducing essential women’s rights that have now been taken for granted, respectively.  Dr. Syeda Saiqa Zubeda, Founding Director of the CWCC, spoke about the importance of love in Islam, saying that Sufism, the spiritual dimension of Islam, was Islam with love, and the real representation of Islam.

Youth from both the surrounding Surrey area, as well as those who had traveled from the USA to attend this event waved flags and recited the Naat poetry that describes the attributes of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Among the youth and children were Abdullah Ayyaz Qadri, Abdurrahman Ayyaz Qadri (both studying to commit the entire Holy Quran to memory), Zaynab Ayyaz Qadri, Roha Imran, and Khizr Abbasi.

Both adult and youth groups from Surrey and the United States recited beautiful and heartfelt poems honoring the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on this sublime occasion including Adeeba Iqbal, Amber Imran, Sohail Rana Qadri, Imran Qadri, Shaanawaz Khan Qadri, and Ismael Rajput.

Zaynab Ayyaz Qadri

Roha Imran

Khizr Abbasi

Amber Imran

IECRC Naat Group from Surrey

Recitation of Burdah Shareef

Ismael Rajput

Mr. Charan Gill, Executive Directory of PICs, a progressive social welfare organization in Surrey, presented IECRC with an award for outstanding community service. Various other awards were rewarded to groups and individuals working to promote peace and social justice.

Mr. Charan Gill

To conclude the conference, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Qadri, a world renowned scholar from the family of the Bani Hashim (the family of the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him), and Founding Director of the Islamic Educational and Cultural Center delivered the concluding remarks about the universal message of brotherhood that Islam conveys with references from the Holy Quran and the Life of the Prophet (peace be upon him).  Dr. Qadri said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) conveyed the message of Islam to make our ethics the ethics of God. He said that if we pay respect to others, we and our community will be respected by others. Dr. Qadri stated, if you love humanity, God will love you. He reminded the audience to follow the Prophetic example and to be forgiving and merciful.

Dr. Qadri reminded the audience of a very important communal requirement that is aimed at supporting those in need under the most trying circumstances.  He called to pass a resolution in favor of an endowment fund for funeral costs, which was passed by the community with no opposition.

Prof. Dr. Mohammad Ahmed Qadri

Sharaaz Qadri, Director of IECRC in the USA, was emcee for the evening. Throughout the evening, Mr. Sharaaz Qadri gave references from the life of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) that reminded the audience of the tradition of compassion, mercy, respect, tolerance, in Islam. As is tradition in Milad Shareef gatherings, the program began with a recitation from the Holy Quran, the Muslim holy book, and poetry in Praise of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Sharaaz Khan Qadri

The vote of thanks was given by Mr. Ayyaz Yousaf Qadri, Managing Director of IECRC-USA. He thanked all the guests for their participation, and thanked all the volunteers of IECRC and CWCC for their immense dedication and hard work for making this spiritual, educational, cultural, and social event a great success.

Dr. Mohammad Ahmed Qadri finally led everyone in a standing salutation (Salam) to send greetings and blessings to the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Salaam and Dua

Salaam and Dua

For feedback on this conference you may write to info@iecrcna.org or cwcc04@yahoo.ca.

One thing is common about quality social justice, sk brought diversity, Canada Aa a nation fortunate charter of rights india mother Teresa social justice equal presence participation of women teachings of saw keep serving humanity… Good wishes.
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March 17, 2010   Canada, Culture, Intercultural Communication, Islamic Months, Language, Personalities, Prophets, Rabi ul-Awwal, Uncategorized   No comments

یارک کر سٹل ہال سرے (کنیڈا) میں عید میلاد النبی

Source: http://www.aalmiakhbar.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=specialreport&article=13311
15.03.2010, 12:05am , سوموار (GMT)

عالمی اخبار کینڈا بیورو

اسلامک ایجو کشنل اینڈ کلچرل ریسرچ سینٹر امریکہ کے زیر اہتمام پانچویں سالانہ کانفرنس یارک کر سٹل ہال سرے (کنیڈا) میں عید میلاد النبی  منانےکے سلسلہ میں منعقد ہوئی ۔ اس مرتبہ خصوصیت یہ تھی کہ  اس کامو ضوع تھا “انٹر فیتھ کامنیکیشن اینڈ برج امانگ دی نیشنز “ اس لیئےاس میں غیر مسلم حضرات کو بھی شرکت کی دعوت دیگئی تھی۔ لہذا جناب سکھ ڈھلیوال ممبر پارلیمنٹ ، مسٹر بروس ایم ایل اے۔ ڈاکٹر ایلن ورلڈ پیس مشن ، جناب پنڈت دیویدی جی ( مشہور اسکالر ، شاعر، ہندی لٹریری سو سائٹی کنیڈا کے صدر اور مذ ہبی رہنما)
اس کے بانی جناب ڈاکٹر محمد قادری  کی تقریر سے پہلے  قرآن پاک کی تلاوت ہوئی ،پھر مختلف لوگوں نے حمد اور نعتیں  پڑھیں  اور اس کے بعد انہوں نے اپنی افتتا حی تقریر آغاز کیا، جس میں مسلمانوں اور غیر مسلموں کے در میان غلط فہمیاں دور کر نے کے لیئے اس قسم کی کانفرنسیں منعقد کر نے کی ضرورت پہ زور دیا ،جو کہ اسلام کے خلاف ایک چھوٹے سے طبقہ کی حرکتوں وجہ سے دنیا پیدا ہوگئی ہیں۔

اس تقریب  میں جناب ٹیپو نائب کو نسلرجنرل آپ پاکستان خطاب فرمایا اورجناب شیراز قادری  نے بھی تقریر فر مائی جو دوسرے بہت سے لوگوں کے ہمراہ اس میں شر کت کے لیئے کیلیفورنیا سے تشریف لائے تھے ۔بعد میں انہوں نے ہی نظامت کے فرائض بھی انجام دیئے ۔ جبکہ مقامی علما ء میں سے مولانا عبد الطیف نعمانی امام فیجی اسلامک سینٹر ، مولانا طیب قاسمی  سر براہ اسلامی اکیڈمی  چلیواک اور امام خلیق اسمٰعیل(  امام الکوثر حسینیہ سینٹر اور العباس سینٹر) نے تقریر فر مائی،  جبکہ خواتین کی نما ئندگی ڈاکٹر ساعقہ  صاحبہ نے کی ۔ ان سب نے  حضور (ص) کی حیات ِ  طیبہ پر  سیر حا صل روشنی ڈالی۔

یہ سرے کی تا ریخ میں دوسرا مو قعہ تھا کہ اس قسم کا اجتما ع منعقد ہواجس میں غیر مسلموں نے بھی شرکت کی۔  اس سے پہلے  جناب شمس جیلانی نے دس بارہ سال پہلے فیجی اسلامک سینٹر میں ایک نعتیہ مشا عرہ کرایا تھا۔ جب وہ اردو ایسو ایسشن کے صدر اور ہندی لٹریری سو سائٹی کے جنرل سکریٹری تھے ، اس وقت پنڈت دیویدی جی ہندی سو سا ئٹی کے صدر اور سرے ہندو مندر کے مہانت تھے ۔ جواُس موقعہ پر بھی مو جود تھے ۔پنڈت جی نہ صرف اچھے شاعر بلکہ اچھے انسان بھی ہیں ۔

دوسرے قابل ِ ذکر اسپیکر سکھی ڈھلیوال  ممبر پارلیمنٹ اور مسٹر بروس ایم ایل اے (سرے ) تیسرے ورڈ پیس مشن کے فا در ایلن تھے۔ آخر میں جناب شمس جیلانی نے  لوگوں کو ان کی خدمات کے صلہ میں اسناد ِ ستا ئش  سینٹر کی طرف سے تقسیم کیں ۔ جن میں سے منیجنگ چیف  “ایڈیٹر مریکل “ جناب نصیر پیرزادہ  اور مقامی ریڈیو پر پاکستانی پروگرام کے میزبان جناب سلیمان ناصر (سابق انا ونسرریڈیوکوئٹہ) اسناد وصول کرتے ہو ئے تصویروں میں میں نظر آرہے ہیں ۔

آخر میں جناب شمس جیلانی نے اپنی تقریر میں جناب ڈاکٹر محمد احمد اور ان شریک ِحیات کی ملی  اورانسانی کو ششوں کو سرا ہااور کہا کہ  “مشک کو کبھی تعریف کی ضرورت نہیں ہو تی ہے ،اس کی خوشبو خود ہی ہر ناک کو معطر کرکے لوگوں متوجہ کر لیتی ہے ۔ ابھی محمد صا حب اور  ان کی شریک حیات ڈاکٹر صا عقہ  صاحبہ کو یہا ں آئے ہوئے صر ف تین سال ہو ئے ہیں اور وہ دونوں خدمت خلق میں بہت سوں سے سبقت لے گئے۔

یہ ہی در اصل اسلام کا مشن ہے کہ محبت سب سے نفرت کسی سے نہیں اور جو ایسا کرے گا تاریخ میں اس کانام تابندہ رہے گا کیونکہ اس کی گارنٹی قرآ ں نے سورہ ہود کی  ایک آیت میں دی ہے جس میں اللہ سبحانہ تعالیٰ نے مسلمانوں کو پانی یا دھات بننے کی ترغیب دی ہے، جھاگ بننے سے منع فر ما یا،  جوکہ پانی یا دھات سے ہی بنتا ہے  اوربغیر کسی کو فا ئدہ پہونچا ئے، اپنی موت آپ مر جا تا ہے۔ انہوں نے مزید کہا حضور کاپہلا مشن بلا تخصیصِ مذ ہب اور ملت، خدمتِ خلق کرنا تھا ۔

اس لیئے کہ حضور (ص) رحمت صرف مسلمانوں کے لیئے ہی نہیں بھیجے گئے  تھے ۔بلکہ تمام عالموں کے لیئے ر حمت اللعالمیں بنا کر بھیجے گئے تھے ۔ ہم سب کوانکا اتبا ع کر تے ہوئے انسانیت کی خد مت کر نا چا ہیئے۔

جو لوگ عید میلاد النبی منانے کو بدعت کہتے ہیں انہیں اپنا جائزہ لینا چاہیئے کہ انہوں نے سو سال میں اسلام کی کیا خدمت کی ہے؟۔ جبکہ عید میلاد ِالنبی منانے والوں نے  صحابہ کرام (رض) اور اولیا ئے عظام  (رح)کی راہ اپنا کر  (  محبت سب سے اور نفرت کسی سے بھی نہیں )ایک کھرب سے زیادہ مسلمان بنا ئے ،جبکہ انہیں بدعتی کہنے والوں  نےصرف مسلمانو ں کو کافر بنایا، بدعتی بنایا، با تیں بنا ئیں یا پھر دنیا کو شدت پسندی کا تحفہ دیا۔  یہ تقریب دو بجے سے نو بجے شام تک جاری رہی ۔







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March 15, 2010   Bay Area, Islam, Practice, Uncategorized   No comments

Social Responsibilities Carved Out for Muslims

Volume 1, Issue 1 (Part 2)
May 31, 2003 / Rabi’ul Awwal 29, 1424

Today, when we consider social responsibilities, we naturally turn to western thought because many of the underdeveloped nations are so dependent on the generosity of the larger and richer nations. Gradually, and unconsciously, we instill in our youth that generosity and charity belong not to us, but to other people. As we grow older, the need to identify with our community becomes intense and we begin to bond with one another. Thus, often, we learn later in life that charity is one of the major tenets in Islam. The cycle begins and we perform acts of charity during the Holy months, but that is not the true meaning of charity, not at least the way our leader (peace be upon him) taught us. In fact, our Holy Prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the epitome of charity because it was a continuous act carried out with a tender heart and good feeling toward the receiver, and not a consideration only at certain times of the year. Thus, he conducted himself in ways that demonstrates the importance and valuable lesson that we have ignored because charity is the most important aspect in Islamic social life. Without charity, there can be no egalitarian society; therefore, performing acts of kindness to our fellow human beings regardless of their faith is akin to the kind of charitable works that we have been taught as Muslims.

In fact, people from all cultures and religious backgrounds come to the center, receive help, and go off with a cheery smile only to visit again the following week. Today, financial gain in every possible discipline is sought and that is one of the reasons why so many people who are in dire need cannot receive the help. On the other hand, this center is not narrowed in its vision of the kind of help people can receive, but no problem is too small or too large to receive help. Yusuf Talal De Lorenzo in his translation of Muhammad Al-Ghazali’s text entitled, Remembrance and Prayer “The Way of Prophet Muhammad” explains how the prophets and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) lived their lives on complete dependence on Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala. Furthermore, helping those in need (charity) creates a closer relationship to Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala and that should always be our final aim. Lorenzo translates this idea as: “It is tempting to say that the heart of Muhammad, upon him be peace, and only his heart, was the one to listen to the crier’s warning to tear away the barriers of neglect and race to the Sacred, Supreme One” (25). What other lessons do we need other than the two words “neglect and race” to understand that it is our obligation as Muslims to nurture our fellow human beings? We should find comfort in learning that human nature itself makes that comparison, but not in such clear terms as has been passed down to us by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). For example, Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) the son of a damask weaver, physically hungered in the dreadful forties for sustenance. He struggled financially and his parents had no means other than to have him work in a cotton factory at the age of thirteen. Later, by his own energy and hard-work ethics, he became industrious and achieved great wealth. However, he did not keep his wealth, but gave back to his community (a lesson that was taught to us by our great leader, peace be upon him). In 1900, he published The Gospel of Wealth, where he states his famous axiom, “the man who dies rich dies disgraced.” Carnegie’s philosophy on philanthropy should not be confined to monetary gain. In fact, those who are rich in God-given qualities have just as much responsibility to their fellow human beings. Thus, we can go further and state that men and women who die rich spiritually and emotionally without sharing their God-given talents with others do a great injustice to their fellow human beings. That is the philosophy of our Muslim teachings and as such the IECRC commits to the most profound teachings of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when it counsels people of all races. It is because we are not performing acts of noble deeds, but allowing an illuminated life to appear before us.

Furthermore, during the counseling sessions, women play a major role. Sisters Fahmiza Jasmine Ali, Rukshana Kahtoon, and Shagufta Chand express their hospitality and warmth as they take attendance and graciously seat the visitors. Simultaneously, two other great women provide snacks to those waiting for their turn for advice. Sister Shahida Abid serves tea and cookies to the people; while Sister Bushra Chaudhry brings her delicious gourmet lunch that she cooks with so much enthusiasm and delight. They make the waiting for all the needy a little easier and a little more cheerful.

Khalida Kareemi

Ms. Kareemi is a Bay Area resident and she enjoys writing.

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