On the 20th of January 2014, Minhaj Women and Sisters League France organised a program to celebrate the birth of the Holy Prophet (SWS) on the occasion of the 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal.

Alhumdulillah, the true message of Milad-un-Nabi (peace be upon him and his family) and Minhaj-ul-Quran International was beautifully and powerfully conveyed to the audience of a record breaking attendance in France, through the delivery of excellent speeches and heart-touching nasheeds - praises to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The two sisters presenting the programme were Mrs. Shamim Zahoor and Nazia Adnan, General Secretary of MWL. They first welcomed the audience for leaving their houses and all their worldly affairs to gather in his remembrance and to show their love and attachment to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). From the beginning to the end of the event, they both kept the audience in a spiritual atmosphere by their heart-touching and inspiring way of expression.

The Mehfil started off with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Sister Zahida Hamidullah and a translation of the recited verses from Irfan ul Quran was done by Sister Faiqa Butt. Then a series of praises on the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) was recited by Mrs Asma Hussain, Sister Sawera, Mrs Tayba Mansoor, Mrs Sitara Malik, Mrs Mussarat Jahan, Mrs Robina Ashraf, Mrs Mumtaz Malik, Mrs Mumtaz Qaudeer, Mrs Sadaf Butt and Mrs Faiza Sahiba. A beautiful poem on the Holy Prophet (SAW) was presented by Sister Mehmoona Zahid. The programme carried on with two speeches by Mrs Zahida Tabassum – graduate from Minhaj-ul-Quran women College Lahore - and Mrs Sadaf on the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) and the life of the Prophet (SAW). Mrs Zahida Tabassum spoke about the status of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the happiness one must show on the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi. Furthermore, she explained and motivated the audience regarding the need of becoming ’10 million Namazis’’ and the importance of encouraging our families to take active interest in the affairs of their motherland. Following on in this beautiful Mehfil-e-Milad, Minhaj Naat Council groups sung delightful nasheeds. Wafia, Irem, Rabia & sisters, and Samreen & sisters recited nasheeds throughout the Mehfil and added to spirituality of the atmosphere.

MWL President, Mrs Arooj Fatima Qazi, was invited on the stage to present the project of Minhaj Education City to the audience through a projected clip. Afterwards, the chief guest, Mrs Sumaira Faisal, delivered a speech, which the audience listened to very attentively. She emphasized on the way we were living our lives and the life of our Prophet (SAW). She explained the need of our link, our attachment to our Prophet (SAW) and also the implementation of the Sunna in our daily life. Besides, she drew our attention to the importance of teaching the love of the Holy Prophet (SAW) to our families. At last, she invited the audience to join Minhaj-ul-Quran International and conveyed the message of peace, love and interfaith harmony espoused by Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri. The sisters listened to the speech with rapt attention and were truly moved by the influential speech. Finally all the former Presidents of MWL were invited to cut the cake on the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi (SAW). Then it was distributed among the audience. Mrs Tayba Mansoor prepared and distributed sweets and gifts packets among to the children. This year, Minhaj-ul-Quran Women League was blessed by the surprise visit of the student of Imaam-e-Masjid-e-Nabawi (SAW) who came at the end of the programme and made dua to end the event of the day. Living in Madina since 50 years, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed Sadeeq teaches Tajweed-e-Quran and Qirat to hundreds of students. He gave such a magical and spiritual touch to the atmosphere, as each person in the audience was feeling lucky of being there today. The programme ended by the recitation of salutations and greetings on Holy Prophet (SAW) and prayers. MashAllah it was a day to remember and everyone felt the beauty and the luck of being among the followers of our Beloved Nabi Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him and His family). Refreshment was served to the participants.

Reported by Sabba Kashif