Ali Akbar: Research Scholar London
E-mail: livelikealiz@hotmail.com
Cell: 00447576340084

Terrorists are doing a continuous struggle to tarnish the positive image which Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and his blessed companions established almost 15th centuries ago. These terrorists have got the support from both the secrets agencies and so-called religious parties working to destabilize the world specially Pakistan and its neighboring country India and Afghanistan. In last few years, they have killed thousands of innocent men, women and children, bombed sacred places of worship and centers of education, and kidnapped many private and GOVT officials. These culprits which have become a hard pill to swallow for all the allies today are the very much production of big powers who planted and used them against USSR in 1980s and now these grown up and wild snakes are biting themselves day and night.

The religious parties founded on the name of Jihad have left no stone unturned to promote religious extremism among the people since Zia’s regime. Majority of the religious scholars stuffed with Rigidity, lack of tolerance and small wisdom can see Mushrikeen and hypocrites creeping on earth and their sole efforts are to decrease the number of Muslims rather than to increase it. They make frequent speeches on the abstract issues the common people cannot benefit a little. The verses revealed about the non-believers and the hypocrites in the era of the holy prophet with special context are constantly associated and related to defame the Sufi school of thoughts and the naive listeners with little understanding of religion just chant the slogans of Subhan Allah and Masha allah to inspire them the most.

The western world understands Islam through the picture Asian scholars have painted in recent years. As the Asian scholars just talk the faith related issues for their vested interest so the picture they have presented is highly dark in which their followers enjoy zero tolerance, zero understanding and zero mutual cooperation with the followers of the other religions which is against the spirit of real Islam. I was extremely shocked to see the same abominable Asian version of Islam here in UK. The people from Shia and Sunni sects are talking rubbish sitting on private Islamic channels and declaring each other non-Muslims and hypocrites. I thought that the people working in UK have better understanding of Islam but the situation is worse here than that of Pakistan, the reason is quite obvious that the imported religious scholars brought same petty Asian issues with them.

The only hope I can see here is Minhaj ul quran that is working with the followers of different religion for better future prospects of mankind. They interpret and present Islam with the best of its multi cultural, socio-economic and political values in the west. To dissolve the present crisis, Dr. Tahir ul Qadri came forward and he has proved through the references from Shia and Sunni books that there had not been an issue between Khulfa rashdeen and Hazrat Ali and they enjoyed good relation, confidence and mutual understanding. If they had an issue, they dissolved it in the light of the Holy Quran and the Ahadith of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Minhaj-ul-Quran is using religion as a major instrument in the process of peace building and reconciliation after 9/11.The scholars from Minhaj-ul-quran are striving hard to nurture the spirit of mercy and forgiveness in both the Muslims and non-Muslims so that they may be able to cope with the current situation and succeed to end the long standing and entrenched problems. They realize that the religious scholars hold a great authority and influence the life of the people at every level that is why they do not only actively participate in the seminars but also organize such seminars and conferences in which the followers of different religion sit together and explore the possibility of peaceful multi cultural society where the people live and cooperate with each other in all affairs of life.

Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri, the chief pattern of Minhaj-ul-Quran, when invited the Christians delegation at Iftar dinner and offered them the mosque to practice their religion had to face a lot of criticism from the people with little understanding of religion and they chanted slogans against him and declared him a Christian but he revived the Sunnah of the holy Prophet when he allowed the members of the delegation of Christians from Najran to worship in Masjid-e-Nabvi and has the vision to look into the future years to come. He wants that the Muslims Ummah should learn from the heavenly wisdom of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) when He signed different contracts with the then Jews and Christian to establish peace and harmony in Arabia.

Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri, the chief pattern of Minhaj-ul Quran is a well literate and visionary scholar with good communication skills. He prepares every message with the message receiver in mind and uses euphemistic expressions and phrases to attract the peope of the book. He gives them proper respect and honour and elevates their social, political and economic status. He does not use exploiting and offensive words which may break their hearts and condemns every step that threats their property, honour and life. Minhaj-ul-Quran London arranged a gathering inviting the people from different faiths to pay a tribute to the people who lost their life in the tragic incident of 7/7.The people from all the communities appreciated and lauded the efforts Minhaj is doing to create a peaceful and healthy environment for the people.

Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri has written a 600-page judgement, known as a fatwa, completely dismantles al-Qaeda's violent ideology. He describes al-Qaeda as an "old evil with a new face" that has not been sufficiently challenged by the Muslim scholars round the globe. He says that Islam forbids the massacre of innocent citizens and suicide bombings. The other religious organizations such as jamat e Islami, jamiat e ulma e Pakistan and many others have never condemned the deadly acts of Al-Qaida and Taliban which shows their silent support the evil doers.

Minhaj-ul-Quran International has launched different projects at the community centers which have often gained recognition from different interfaith groups. They are offering art classes to the students of different levels and hired native British qualified teachers. For entertainment and recreation of women, they often arrange a meena bazaar where ladies do not only purchase their favoutie things but they can set their own stalls to sell different things. They have been organizing different get together programmes and dinners and invite the world famous nasheed artists who with their unique performance move the hearts of different people from all age groups.

Minhaj-ul-Quran is also attracting the people of different faiths through different Islamic cultural practices. Minhaj-ul-Quran believes that Islam advocates multi-cultural society based on purity and decent values. Minhaj-ul-Quran invites the people of the book to the common cultural values such as dress, language and etiquettes. All the major religions of the world want the people to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair, or gold or pearls or expensive clothes. They lay emphasis on the use of polite and fair language, and urge to avoid offensive words and expressions which may break the heart of listeners.

In short, we need a society where the followers of all the religions live together in peace and harmony. They practice love, tolerance and mutual understanding for each other and stand by each other against the people who are killing innocent people, bombing the sacred places and education centres. They will become more and more daring if we left them with what they are doing. It will give them licence to come with much more heinous and evil designs so the people of faiths should stand together with Minhaj-ul-Quran International to eradicate the evil of terrorism from roots.