By the grace of Almighty Allah and the blessings of the Beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Minhaj-ul-Quran Women League (Canada) celebrated the 13th annual Mawlid-un-Nabi (SAW) Conference for sisters in Toronto on January 19, 2014. This was the first annual Mawlid event organized under the newly elected team led by Razia Syeda, President, and Shabana Moghul, General Secretary.

Both of the daughters of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, Ayesha Qurat-ul-Ain Qadri and Khadija Qurat-ul-Ain Qadri, as well as the granddaughter, Basima Qadri, were the chief guests at the occasion who attended this celebratory event. Their special attendance never fails to encourage the audience and is always greatly appreciated. In addition, Faiza Sethi, a renowned scholar from the United Kingdom, Ms. Nabila, wife of Dr. Mumtaz who is the Physician of Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri, and family member and Qaisrah Hashim were also some of the distinguished audience present at the occasion. The mosque was filled to the maximum with attendees over reaching 200. Sisters from Toronto and vicinity including seniors, children & youth attended the programme. The leaders of various organizations & mosques in and around Toronto also participated including Mrs. Shabana Qadir from Masjid-E-Aqsa and Mrs. Almas.

The program started with a beautiful recitation of the Holy Quran. Ms. Rana Rasool hosted this joyous occasion very eloquently. Her consistent use of poetic verses in expressing love of the Holy Prophet (SAW) enlightened the audience. There were two main speeches. Sister Khadija Qurat-ul-Ain Qadri gave an inspiring speech in English on the importance of celebrating Mawlid and the Love of the Holy Prophet (SAW). Her speech was addressed towards the younger generation of today, the youth. Her soft way of delivering her speech was greatly influential to all sisters who attended. The second speech was delivered by sister Faiza Sethi in Urdu. She discussed the importance of developing love of the Holy Prophet (SAW) through various means. She discussed that when we love a person we know every single favorite choice of that person, but when it comes to knowing preferences and likes and dislikes of our Holy Prophet’s (SAW), we have little knowledge, because we are far too indulgent in the worldly affairs. She stressed that as believers we need to reflect upon our knowledge, attachment and love of the Holy Prophet (SAW). Sister Faiza also stated that Holy Prophet (SAW) has advised us about three important and vital things that we need to teach our children. 1) Love of the Holy Prophet (SAW) 2) Love of the Quran and 3) Love of Family of the Holy Prophet (SAW).

Her speech also discussed the meaning of the word ‘Bidat’ (Innovation), stating there are innovations that are good as well including innovation that are obligatory (wajib). There are countless aspects of our daily life that we do now that were not done at the time of the Holy Prophet (SAW), such as sleeping on beds, eating at tables, using airplanes, etc., are all these aspects ‘innovations’ bad? The message of Sister Faiza’s speech was that we should perform an act in the world to attain nearness to the Holy Prophet (SAW) so that we can recognize our Beloved Holy Prophet (SAW) in our graves or furthermore so that our Beloved Holy Prophet (SAW) can recognize and free us in our graves. Sister Faiza ended the speech by concluding that if we want to attain success in this world and the next, we should love the Holy Prophet and love those people who are loved by him.  Furthermore, the program included beautiful nasheeds praising the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) recited by individual sisters as well as groups such as the Minhaj-ul-Quran Youth League. Sister Rabia Malik and her team- all dressed professionally in white and green attires- caught the attention of the audience. They used the ‘duff’ in performing their nasheed. The stage was beautifully decorated by Sisters Shabana Moghul, Nazra Tayyab and their team. The green and white backdrop colours reflected the green & white setting, decorative lighting, decorations, and youth group uniform. Sister Iqra Rasool recites annually with her humble and sweet voice not only touching the hearts of youth but all those sisters who attend. Other Sisters including Sisters Seema and Sabira expressed their love for the Holy Prophet (SAW) with naats, and touched the hearts and souls of the sisters as many shed tears in the love and remembrance of the Holy Prophet. This spiritually uplifting gathering allowed sisters to feel reat closeness to the Holy Prophet (SAW).

Near the end of the program, ladies had an opportunity to visit the book stall that was located near the stage. Many books were sold, and booklets on Shaykh-ul-Islam and Minhaj-ul-Quran International were given away. A variety of Urdu book topics were available including books on Mawlid-un-Nabi (SAW), Blessings of the Holy Prophet (SAW), and Shama’il of the Holy Prophet (SAW). Sisters were also awarded major book prizes including the written gems, Al-Minhaj al-Sawi and Al Hidaya-tul Umma. In addition, each attendee also received DVDs on various topics delivered by Shaykh ul Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir ul Qadri, as a take-home gift. The program ended with a humble dua lead by Sister Sobia Fawad, and congregational Salam was sent to the Beloved Holy Prophet (SAW) by all sisters. Dinner was served before sisters left. Overall the program was a great success due to the efforts of many sisters who gave their time only for the sake of attaining closeness to Allah (swt) and the Holy Prophet SAW. May Allah (swt) and Rasool-Allah SAW accept all the efforts and grant us their love and nearness.

Reported By: Mehvish Adam Bahtti