Hundreds of thousands of people attend International Mawlid-un-Nabi Conference despite severe cold and rain

The 28th International Mawlid-un-Nabi Conference (S.A.W.), the biggest Milad Conference in the Islamic world, continued till the Fajr prayer on the intervening nights of the 11th and 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal at Minar-e-Pakistan Lahore under the banner of Minhaj-ul-Quran International. Hundreds of thousands of people including women and children braved the severe cold and rainy weather and remained in rapturous attendance without looking for any cover or umbrella. The Conference made history as the devotees demonstrated their love of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) in such inclement weather and reminded the world that love of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) is the most precious asset for the Muslims.

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri appeared on the huge LED screen to deliver his keynote address to the Conference at 1:30 a.m. The hundreds of thousands of people gave him a standing ovation on this occasion. The chief guest of International Mawlid-un-Nabi Conference (SAW) was the Vice Chancellor of world-renowned Al-Azhar University Dr Usama Muhammad Al-Abd. Amir-e-Tehreek Sahibzada Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani, Secretary General Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi, senior naib Nazim-e-Ala Sheikh Zahid Fayyaz, Brig (r) Dr Obaidullah Ranjha, Agha Murtaza Poya, Pir Khalil-ur-Rehman Chishti, Ali Ghazanfar Kararvi, Pir Nafees-ul-Hassan Shah, and renowned religious scholars were also present on the central stage. The representatives of the Hindu, Christian and Sikh faiths also participated in the Conference as an expression of solidarity with the Muslims on such a festive occasion.

Addressing the participants, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that the historic Minar-e-Pakistan must be in awe of the devotees of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) who held their ground despite severe cold and torrential rain in expression of their love and respect of their beloved Prophet (peace be upon him). He said that it was the miracle of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) that the such a large number of people celebrated his birth anniversary under the open sky and let the world know that love of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) was their greatest asset and they were ready to offer any sacrifice for this.

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that the happiness of Mawlid-un-Nabi (peace be upon him) was hundreds and thousands of times more than that of any other religious festival such as Eid. He said that Allah Almighty endowed the status of Master of Universe on the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and other divine Books such as Bible etc. mentioned the lofty status of the holy Prophet (peace be upon him). He said that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) is not only the Prophet of human beings but also of all creations present in the universe. He said that Milad created love of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and when one develops love, it becomes easier for such a person to follow his teachings and obey the holy Prophet (PBUH). He said that the one who loved the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) cannot be a terrorist, a militant or an extremist. He said that it was through extreme love of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) that we would be able to overcome the scourges of terrorism, extremism, materialism, restlessness, violence and strife in the society as well as the world.

Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that love and obedience of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) changes the internal world of human beings and when one’s inner personality gets enlightened, such a person becomes incarnation of peace and love for the world. None of his actions causes any harm or injury to people. Rather, he becomes the source of comfort and good for his fellow human beings. He said that the people of Pakistan were lucky as they attended the biggest Milad Conference of the world and joined in the celebrations that marked the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) every year. He asked the workers of Minahj-ul-Quran International and other people to hold events aimed at celebrating the Mawlid-un-Nabi (peace be upon him) for two months. He said that there was no other way to please Allah but this one.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor of Al-Azhar University Dr Usama Muhammad Al-Abd said that he never saw such a big and organized gathering anywhere in the world which is full of love of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). He extended his special felicitations to the people of Pakistan and the participants of the Conference on their attendance despite severe cold and torrential rains. He further said that people of Pakistan must be grateful, for a personality like Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri was present among them whose MQI holds such a big Milad gathering each year. He said that MQI had become a big reference point for the promotion of love of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) in the world. He concluded by saying that the love of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) was the most precious asset of every Muslim and follower.

In his speech on the occasion, Secretary General of Minhaj-ul-Quran International Dr Raheeq Abbasi said that the way people remained in attendance calmly and with full devotion despite cold and heavy downpour demonstrated the fact that Pakistan is a place of lovers of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). He said that International Mawlid-un-Nabi Conference (peace be upon) held under the banner of MQI conveyed a message of love and peace in a suffocating environment marked by sectarianism, lawlessness and terrorism. He said that MQI was playing a key role in the promotion of love of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and the entire life of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri was dedicated to this cause.