Al-Hidayah 2009 - Warwick University, UK

Coverage of th same event on International Media

Minhaj-ul-Quran International and Muslim Youth League UK organized a three-day annual “Al-Hidayah Youth Camp” at the University of Warwick, which was attended by more than 1200 participants, both boys and girls, from across the world. The participants started arriving at 9 a.m. on August 8, 2009. After the computerized verification of all delegates, they were issued passes. Renowned Syrian scholar, Ash-Shaykh As`ad Muhammad Sa`id as-Sagharji, delivered the first lecture to the participants on the subject of “Discipline & Morality”. Shaykh Abdul Hakim Murad of Cambridge University, another British scholar of immense erudition, delivered his talk on the importance of relations with other religions in a non-Muslim society.

The proceedings of the first day were punctuated with the occasional recitation from the Holy Quran and presentation of Naat to keep the participants spiritually energised. In addition to Shaykh Abdur Rahman and his companions, the ‘Qawals” of Hassan Minhaj Naat Council kept the audience spiritually ecstatic with their presentations in Arabic, Urdu and Punjabi languages. Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri was given a standing ovation and huge round of applause upon his arrival in the hall at 4 p.m. Dr Zahid Iqbal, chief organizer of the ‘Al-Hidayah Camp’ welcomed Shaykh-ul-Islam and invited him to deliver his keynote speech.


Shaykh Abdul Hakim Murad of Cambridge University      Ash-Shaykh As`ad Muhammad Sa`id as-Sagharji     

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri made “Peace & Unity” the subject of his address. Former minister of Egypt, Prof Yahya Jamal, attended the camp on the first day and delivered a special lecture. The pictorial exhibition of renowned British photographer, Peter Sanders, who embraced Islam in 1991, was also the focus of people’s attention. His pictures highlighted religious, social and sociological behaviours and trends in different societies. The participants liked the exhibition very much.

 

Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi, Secretary General of MQI, gave comprehensive briefing to the participants about the worldwide network of Minhaj-ul-Quran International. The office bearers of Minhaj Welfare Foundation also gave briefing about their activities whose chief highlight was the ongoing project of ‘Aagosh’ (Orphan Care Home), which is estimated to cost 34 million rupees. The briefing also included details of MWF’s activities in other areas etc.

The high point of the camp was the question & answer session. The panel, which asked questions, included Canon Dr Christopher Lamb, representative of Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, Professor Ron Geaves, Professor of the Comparative Study of Religion, Liverpool Hope University, Dr Sophie Gilliat-Ray, Director, Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK, Cardiff University, Dr Tahir Abbas, Director of the Centre for the Study of Ethnicity and Culture, University of Birmingham, Phil Rees, prominent journalist and producer, Maqsood Ahmed, Senior Advisor from Communities Ministry and Zahoor Niazi, Chief-Editor of Jang Newspaper London, Peter Sanders, prominent photographer. The thrust of every question revolved around the issue of terrorism, extremism and practical steps that could be taken to save the Muslim Youth from these scourges. The participants gave cheering applause and kept clapping in response to the answers given to these questions by Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, which speaks volumes of the satisfaction they must have derived from this informed discourse.

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri reminded the youth attending the camp that they should not allow their love and association with the worldly life to exceed a particular limit. Rather they should focus on their morality, character and values so that they could not feel embarrassed in front of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) on the Day of Judgment. He urged the youth to start implementing the teachings of Islam and following the Holy Prophet (S.A.W)’s ideal life for both material and spiritual success.

Denouncing extremism and terrorism, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that peace was the main message of Islam. He threw light on the difference between Jihad and Terrorism, saying that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) prescribed clear-cut guidelines to be followed during war etc. The Muslims were prohibited from brining any harm to non-combatants like children, women, old people, and destroying orchards, animals and buildings of the enemy etc. “Whatever is being perpetrated in the name of religion is complete negation of what Islam stands for and it is clear violation of Islamic teachings,” Shaykh-ul-Islam said while referring to Islamic history.

 

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri instructed the youth to devote themselves fully to getting education and said that it is by playing positive role and making positive contribution to their respective societies that they can increase the esteem of their country and religion. He said that ideal character of forefathers was responsible for the spread of Islam around the globe, not the sword.

Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that MQI was promoting the real message of Islam through its network by engaging other religions and communities in constructive dialogue for better tomorrow. He urged the youth to stand up to the extremists and terrorist who were out to malign Islam through their practices in collaboration with their communities and government institutions. “This is through joint action and understanding that we can eliminate extremism and terrorism,” he held.

The three-day camp concluded on the determination to work collectively to spread awareness about Islamic teachings and defeat terrorists at intellectual levels.

International Media Coverage of Al-Hidayah Camp

  1. Google News, UK
    'Ideas are the best' weapons
    'Muslim Camp' draws UK teens to combat extremism
    Kamp Muslim Inggris Melawan Ekstrimis
  2. Yahoo News
    "Muslim Camp" draws teens to combat extremism

  3. euronews
    “Muslim Camp” draws UK teens to combat extremism
  4. Stv
    "Muslim Camp" draws UK teens to combat extremism
  5. Global Tv . Com
    ‘Muslim Camp' draws U.K. teens to combat extremism
  6. The Star phoenix
    ‘Muslim Camp' draws U.K. teens to combat extremism
  7. Toronto Star
    'Ideas are the best' weapons: Islamic scholar

  8. Canada.com
    Messenger of moderation
    Sufischolar seeks to save young Muslims from radicalization
  9. The Brunei Times
    UK Muslim camp preaches peace

  10. National Post
    Messenger of moderation
  11. National Post
    Preacher a voice for moderation
  12. The Gazette
    ‘Muslim Camp' draws U.K. teens to combat extremism
  13. The Vancouver Sun
    ‘Muslim Camp' draws U.K. teens to combat extremism

  14. The Malaysia Insider
    ‘Muslim Camp’ draws UK teens to combat extremism

  15. Islam Online.net
    UK Sufi Camp Combats Extremism

  16. Republika Online
    Kamp Muslim Inggris Melawan Ekstrimis

  17. Reuters Italia
    Gran Bretagna, "campo islamico" contro estremismo seduce giovani

  18. Reuters India
    'Muslim Camp' draws UK teens to combat extremism

  19. Birmingham Post
    Islamic author denounces terrorism as a cancer in Muslim world

  20. Islam Online
    UK Sufi Camp Combats Extremism

  21. National Post
    Preacher a voice for moderation

  22. Point de Bascule Canada
    GRANDE BRETAGNE - UN IMAM SOUFISTE CANADIEN PRÊCHE UN AUTRE ISLAM À DES MUSULMANS BRITANNIQUES. IL ENSEIGNE L'INCLUSION, LA "SPIRITUALITÉ", LA PAIX ET LA MODÉRATION...

  23. The Province
    ‘Muslim Camp' draws U.K. teens to combat extremism
  24. Euro News
    “Muslim Camp” draws UK teens to combat extremism
  25. The Windsor Star
    ‘Muslim Camp' draws U.K. teens to combat extremism
  26. IB Times
    "Muslim Camp" draws UK teens to combat extremism
  27. Javno
    `Muslim Camp` Draws UK Teens To Combat Extremism
  28. Aussie Muslims
    'Muslim Camp' draws UK teens to combat extremism
  29. The Revival
    "Muslim Camp" draws UK teens to combat extremism!
  30. NEWS Tin
    "Muslim Camp" draws teens to combat extremism
  31. Yanabi . Com
    "Muslim Camp" draws teens to combat extremism...
  32. Digg
    ‘Muslim Camp’ draws teens to combat extremism
  33. Nicer News
    ‘Muslim Camp’ draws teens to combat extremism
  34. Topix
    'Muslim Camp' draws UK teens to combat extremism
  35. Canada
    ‘Muslim Camp' draws U.K. teens to combat extremism
  36. Leader Post
    ‘Muslim Camp' draws U.K. teens to combat extremism
  37. Best News
    "Muslim Camp" draws UK teens to combat extremism
  38. World Peace
    'Muslim Camp' draws teens to combat extremism
  39. ABC News
    "Muslim Camp" Draws Teens to Combat Extremism
  40. Euro Islam . Info
    ‘Muslim Camp’ draws UK teens to combat extremism
  41. Hizb ut-Tahrir
    "Muslim Camp" draws UK teens to combat extremism
  42. World News
    'Muslim Camp' draws UK teens to combat extremism
  43. Toronto Star
    'Muslim Camp' draws UK teens to combat extremism
  44. The Free Library online
    "Muslim Camp" draws teens to combat extremism
  45. Daily Times
    ‘Muslim Camp’ draws UK teens to combat extremism
  46. Reuters UK
    "Muslim Camp" draws UK teens to combat extremism
  47. Reuters
    "Muslim Camp" draws teens to combat extremism
  48. Canada
    ‘Muslim Camp' draws U.K. teens to combat extremism
  49. The PEW Forum | Religion News
    'Ideas are the best' weapons: Islamic scholar
  50. The Siasat
    'Muslim Camp' draws UK teens to combat extremism
  51. Bay Ledger News Zone
    "Muslim Camp" draws teens to combat extremism
  52. Maryam-blog Blogspot
    ‘MUSLIM CAMP’ DRAWS UK TEENS TO COMBAT EXTREMISM
  53. Talk Islam
    “Muslim Camp” draws teens to combat extremism.
  54. Times of Malta
    Without attacks, Qaeda's roars ring hollow
  55. In Sing
    'Muslim Camp' draws UK teens to combat extremism
  56. msnbc
    'Muslim Camp' draws UK teens to combat extremism
  57. Islam is all about Peace
    Ideas are the best' weapons: Islamic scholar
  58. Sharia Watch UK
    'Muslim Camp' draws UK teens to combat extremism
  59. Muslims in England
    Al-Hidayah 2009

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