IECRC Organizes 14th Annual Milad Shareef Conference
By Zafar K. Yousufzai
Fremont, CA
Newark, CA: Newark, CA: “Indeed there has come to you a noble messenger from among you - your falling into hardship aggrieves him, most concerned for your well-being, for the believers most compassionate, most merciful.” - [Al-Qur’an 9:128]
The Islamic Educational and Cultural Research Center (IECRC) is a non-profit, non-political grassroots community-based 501(c) (3) organization. It was founded in 2002 and provides community services in Northern California (San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento) and Vancouver, Canada.
It enhances spiritual insight through education, research and counseling based on centuries-old Islamic traditional values of the Awliyah Ikram (Friends of Allah-Saints) of love, tolerance, peace and harmony
The IECRC organized its 14th annual Miald Shareef Conference on Sunday, January 10, at the Mehran Restaurant, Newark, CA. A large number of people from San Francisco Bay Area and tri-cities gathered on the occasion and benefited from the recitation of the Holy Qur’an, Qaseedah Burda Shareef, Manqabat. Nasheeds, Naats in praise of the Prophet (SAWS), and speeches in English and Urdu on the life of the Holy Prophet (SAWS).
The special annual event started with a recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Hafiz Abdullah Qadri followed by Humd in praise of Allah (SWT) presented by ladies and volunteers of IECRC. Hafiz Abullah Qadri, accompanied by students of the center, also recited Qaseedah Burda Shareef. Later, the Executive Director of the center Mr Ayyaz Yousaf Qadri took over the podium and introduced the naat reciters. Abur Rahaman Qadri, Emad Ahmed Kausar Zaidi, Riaz Ahmed, Kareem Raydhan, and Zafar Khan recited beautiful naats. Among the ladies Atiyah and sisters presented a popular Manqabat. The center’s students also presented Nasheeds. They included Zainab and Zoha, who recited in Arabic, English and Urdu, and Umar, who presented Qaseedah Burdah Shareef.
The Almighty Allah’s beautiful names were eloquently presented by Ariba and Nabiha sisters.
Three speakers delivered speeches on the occasion: Maulana Muhammed Ramazan briefly highlighted the significance of 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal; Sheikh Adil from Iraq, a PhD in Islamic Sciences who also teaches Arabic at the center, stressed to love our holy prophet (SAWS). Sheikh Ta’rif Arabi-Qadri from Syria described the holy prophet as our shifa (cure).
The young speakers from the center, including Moinuddin Qadri, Aa’ishah Riaz, Hafiz Abdullah Qadri, Abdul Qadir and Zainab Qadri spoke on the life and kindness of the Holy Prophet (SAWS).
Dr Allama Iqbal’s famous poem, Lub pey aati hai dua bun kay tammanna meri, was sung by students of different age groups. Their recital and mannerism impressed the gathering and were duly lauded.
Later, Naveed Agboatwal and Amir Ahmed highlighted the activities and services of the IECRC by presenting a slide show. The center offers weekday classes and Sunday school of Hifz/Tajweed/Arabic language. Lessons are given by a qualified traditional scholar. Besides the Qur’an classes the center arranges a bi-weekly Zikr - spiritual gathering program.
The ‘ladies only’ program includes Qur’anic Tafseer classes and monthly Giyarween shareef meeting on the eleventh day of each Islamic calendar in commemoration of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA). The spiritual counseling and healing services are open to all, irrespective of race and religion.
After the IECRC presentation, the guest speaker from Pakistan Shah Abdul Haq Qadri, son of a prominent Khateeb and founder of Darul-Uloom and Bazm-e-Raza Karachi, took over the podium. He delivered a thoughtful speech in Urdu. He focused on the four key elements of the life of the Holy Prophet (SAWS). He described them as his beauty, character plus kindness and nearness in his personality.
The organizers, participants, volunteers and the packed-hall audience presented Durood o Salam in Urdu and Arabic while Shah Sahib made a comprehensive dua’ for all. Later, dinner was served.
At the end, Syeda Zille-Humma Ayyaz, research scholar, thanked all participants, especially volunteers, for making the event successful. She also presented a plaque and certificate to Naeema Zafar of Fremont for having been adjudged the best volunteer
