By TwoCircles.net staff writer
Mumbai: Lakhs of men and women attend the 19th Annula International Sunni Ijtema organized by Sunni Dawate Islami in Mumbai’s Azad Maidan on Oct 30th to Nov. 1st.
The first day of the three day event was reserved for women which saw about one lakh women from Mumbai and suburbs participate in the proceedings. The lectures on the first day was geared towards women- importance of acquiring Islamic knowledge; understand their responsibilities as a Muslim women, prepare themselves in accordance to the Islamic law for the creation of a moral society.
Next two days saw, according to the organizers, about two lakhs men from all over India who came to attend the ijtema. Program every day begin with tahajjud prayers and ended with isha prayers. In between prayers various speakers spoke on the ned to get Islamic knowledge, on Islamic ideology, prayer methodology, Islamic principles that should guide the life of a Muslim.
Islamic Scholars Mufti Nizamuddin (UP), Maulana Khalid Raza(U.K.) Sayed Moin Ashraf (Mumbai), Maulana Faiyaz (Rajasthan), Mufti Qudratullah (UP), Mufti Anwar Ahmed (MP) and others spoke on the occasion.
Highlight of the ijtema was by the head of Sunni Dawate Islami, Maulana Mohammed Shakir Ali Noorie. His hour long lecture was about the creation of the earth and the purpose of it. He said that earth and whatever in is for humans but they are advised to use the resources correctly. Troubles that we see in the world are because people are abusing the resources. He criticized Western world for attacking other countries for their selfish reasons and exploiting the land that belongs to God.
He encouraged Muslims to increase good deeds and establish namaz on the earth to tilt the balance towards good. He took pledges from the audience that they will not harm fellow human beings and do anything against the interest of the nation.
The Ijtema ended on Sunday at 10pm with mass prayer for peace and prosperity for the whole humanity.
Sunni Dawate Islami was founded in 1991 by the leadership of Maulana Mohammed Shakir Ali Noorie. Its branches exist in India, UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Portugal and Saudi Arabia.
Link:
http://www.sunnidawateislami.net
[Photos by SDI]