The Gateway 2011 Conference hailed a huge success

THE GATEWAY 2011 CONFERENCE HAILED A HUGE SUCCESS

Report by Imam Muneer-ul-Hassan Rabbani al-Azhari

The Gateway to Divine Mercy 2011 Conference, which was held in Manchester (UK) on Sunday 26th June 2011, attracted more than 1,100 young Muslim and non-Muslim men and women. The theme for this year’s 6th Annual Conference was “Guiding Our Actions”; an important topic which aimed to illustrate how ones actions should be carried out correctly without deviating from the Shari'ah (Islamic law). The Conference was presented jointly this year by Jamia Al-Karam (Retford, UK) and the World Association for Al-Azhar Graduates (WAAG).

Amongst the distinguished personalities and scholars from around the world were Shaykh Yusuf Abu Sneina (Imam and Khatib of al-Masjid al-Aqsa, Jerusalem, Palestine), Shaykh Muhammad Pirzada (UK), Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad (UK), Shaykh Muhammad al-Ninowy (Atlanta, USA), Shaykh Nooruddeen Durkee (Washington, USA), Shaykh Ahmed Tijani Ben Omar (Chicago, USA) and Hajj Ahmad Thomson (UK).

For the first time, the Gateway 2011 Conference also featured a senior delegation from the renowned Al-Azhar University, Egypt, consisting of Shaykh Prof. Dr. Abd al-Fadeel Muhammad al-Qawsi (Senior Delegate of Shaykh al-Azhar, Vice Chancellor of Al-Azhar University and WAAG), Mr Osama Yasin (Vice Chair of WAAG), Prof. Dr. Abdel Dayem Nosear (General Secretary of WAAG) and Mr Marwan Mahmoud (Assistant Manager Foreign Branches Dept. of WAAG).

The delegation from Al-Azhar University formally inaugurated the WAAG UK Branch at Jamia Al-Karam (Retford, UK) on the eve of the Gateway 2011 Conference on Saturday 25th June 2011 at a Ceremony held at Jamia Al-Karam which was attended by leading scholars and personalities of the UK (photos and a news report of this will be uploaded soon).

The Gateway 2011 Conference was filled with spiritually uplifting and inspiring talks and lectures by the Scholars and Shuyukh as well odes in praise of the beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) performed by SHAAM Nasheed Group. There was also a debut performance by al-Ni’mah Nasheed Group who stirred and enthused the emotions of the audience bringing to them a stimulating feeling of reverence and honour for the best of creation, the noble Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

The keynote address at the Conference was delivered by the Senior Delegate of Shaykh al-Azhar, respected Shaykh Prof. Dr. Abd al-Fadeel Muhammad al-Qawsi. In his lecture the learned Shaykh expounded upon the current turbulent and difficult times that Muslims are facing and stressed that it is incumbent upon everyone to have a moderate approach to the teachings of Islam and to assimilate the concept of mercy within their attitudes and behaviours. The learned Shaykh highlighted that Al-Azhar University is the foremost institute which has propagated this message with sound scholarship throughout the world.

The Conference also saw the launch of a new book, entitled “The Ideal Father; In light of the Qur’an, Sunna and Tradition”, by Shaykh Muhammad Pirzada which was formally released by Al-Karam Publications. The attendees present at the Conference had an opportunity to get their new copies of "The Ideal Father" signed by the author, teacher and spiritual father to many; Shaykh Muhammad Pirzada. This new book follows in the series from “The Ideal Mother; In light of the Qur’an, Sunna and Tradition” which was formally released at the very first Gateway to Divine Mercy Conference held in June 2006. The books look at the various stages of fatherhood and motherhood, respectively, and discuss Islamic rites and tradition, nurturing and fostering, education, upbringing, the onus and rights of the couple, parents and children and also illustrate the differences between imprudent and wise parents. Both books as well as other books written by Shaykh Muhammad Pirzada are available to purchase online via the Al-Karam Publications Website: www.alkarampublications.com

For the 6th consecutive year, the Gateway to Divine Mercy Conference lived up to its acclaimed potential and, Jamia Al-Karam jointly with WAAG UK, delivered a hugely successful and dynamic Conference bringing together leading scholars of international repute from four different continents of the world. The attendees also had an opportunity to engage with the Shuyukh and Scholars and topics which troubled young British minds were extensively explored including the development of spirituality whilst living in the West.

The event was concluded by melodious praises recited in honour of the beloved Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) by Shaykh Ahmed Tijani Ben Omar and the final Du’a was conducted by the Senior Delegate of Shaykh al-Azhar, respected Shaykh Prof. Dr. Abd al-Fadeel Muhammad al-Qawsi.

The Conference was filmed and will be broadcast on Ummah Channel (Sky Channel 828) in due course. Keep an eye on this website for further announcements. We thank all the Shuyukh and attendees for making the Gateway 2011 Conference a huge success and look forward to another inspiring Conference next year.

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