On the 1st November 2014, Minhaj-ul-Quran International (Nelson chapter) held its annual ‘Shuhada-e-Karbala Conference 2014’ at the Jamia Masjid Minhaj-ul-Quran, Brunswick Street, Nelson. This conference, which was conducted by Allama Rukhsar Ahmad Qadri, commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Qari Waqas Hussain.

A handful of local Naat Khawans including Jamiat-e-Hassaan, Qari Muhammad Samundar, Haji Muhammad Mushtaq, Kabir Hussain and Sufi Muhammad Riaz presented ‘kalam’ relating to Hazrat Imam-e-Hussain (AS) and the events of Karbala. The main guest speaker was Allama Syed Farhat Hussain Shah, the head of Minhaj Ulema Council, Pakistan. He spoke about Imam-e-Hussain (AS) and his companions, who sacrificed their lives in Karbala. He compared the events of Karbala to the modern times and how we should all be grateful for the sacrifices of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions and the importance of remembering all those who gave ultimate sacrifice of their lives for realization of lofty ideals of Islam. Allama Farhat Hussain Shah also highlighted the events after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and explained how Sayedina Zainab (SA), the beloved sister of the revered Imam felt as the convoy moved forward. The audience was overwhelmed with emotion upon hearing about these events.

Another guest speaker invited to the conference was Allama Muhammad Haroon Abbasi from Pakistan. He began his speech on the saying of a poet: "Wo Zainab Jo Kal Madina Ki Maalik Thee" and he emphasised that whilst reading this verse in the future, also say this: "Wo Madina Ki Kal Bhi Maalik Thee or Aaj Bhi Maalik Hai". You can see from these verses the love and respect shown to the family of the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him). He also explained how in today's society people have time for worldly matters but for the deen & the zikr of the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) and his family we do not have time. Allama Muhammad Haroon Abbasi also stated that this is something we need to think about and give importance to because this is time that we have may no longer have with us.

The Chief Guest of the programme, Allama Muhammad Afzal Saeedi, President of NEC (National Executive Council) from Bradford, was also present on the occasion. He congratulated the Minhaj-ul-Quran International Nelson Committee for organising such a blessed and spiritual gathering and thanked the audience for being a part of the conference. He prayed that future events remembering the family of the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) would be organised in the same manner. Arrangements for the conference were made for Men and Women. Allama Syed Farhat Hussain Shah made a heartfelt dua for all those who attended the programme. The participants also prayed for the good health of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri. At the end of the conference ‘Langar-e-Hussaini’ was distributed to the participants.

Reported: Moazzam Ali