Leaders of different faiths stress need for interfaith harmony & sustained engagement to defeat vested interests

Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Sikh leaders forged unity and condemned the desecration of the Holy Quran in the strongest possible words in “Ihtiram-e-Mazahab Conference” organized under the banner of Directorate of Interfaith Relations of Minhaj-u-Quran International and Muslim-Christian Dialogue Forum in the MQI’s Secretariat in Lahore yesterday. The Conference was presided over by Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani, Amir of MQI, while Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi, Secretary General of MQI, was the guest of honour on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi said that the reprehensible act of Terry Jones has highlighted yet again the need of legislation at the international level so that the repeat of such heinous acts could be checked through effective measures and none should dare do any such thing in future. He said that civilizations and religions need to forge unity in their ranks and promote dialogue to defeat the like of Terry Jones who tried to damage efforts being made for interfaith harmony in the world. He said that MQI would continue to play its due role in this regard.

Speaking on the occasion, Rai Muzammal Hussain, President of PPP Ulama Council, said that Terry Jones is an enemy of humanity and a representative of extremist mindset and fundamentalism. He further said that there is no need to worry as people like Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri are present to frustrate the designs of such elements. He said that Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri is working to bring civilizations together on the shared agenda of human welfare, peace and interfaith dialogue.

Hindu leader Pundit Baghit Singh said in his speech that the Hindu community blasts the sacrilege of the Holy Quran and highlights the need of enhanced engagement among religions for future of humanity. He said that Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri is a second name of love and peace and his community values the efforts he is making for promotion of peace in the world.

Pir Athar-ul-Qadri, central leader of Tahuffiz-e-Namoos-e-Rasaalat, said that Terry Jones would not be able to escape Divine Wrath and demanded of the US government to take strict action against him.

Akram Masih, member of National Assembly from minorities, said on the occasion that Terry Jones is a self-styled Pastor who deals in furniture on internet. He has nothing to do with Christianity. He further said that some vested interests cannot spoil the global peace and harmony in the world.

Dr Badir Muneer Saifi, Pastor Chaman Sardar, G.M. Malik, Mirza Ayub Baig, Noubahar Shah, Dr Kunwal Feroz, Amjad Hussain Raheemi, leader of JUI-F, Syed Tahir Sajjad Kazami, Bishop Rafan Masih, Pastor Malik Javed Masih, Mehndi Hassan of Jamia Al-Muntazir, Tahir Malik of National Peace Committee for National Peace, Pastor Francis Emunal of Internatioanl Gospel Mission, Pastor Noor Masih, Bishop Pervez Joseph, Revered Baber George, Pastor Shahzada Khurram, Javed Khan of NouLakha Church, Aslam Masih Pervez of PML-Q, Ch. Riasiat Kokhar and other leaders also spoke on the occasion.

             Text of Resolution 

       Ihtiram-e-Mazahab Conference

“Ihtiram-e-Mazahab Conference” organized under the banner of Directorate of Interfaith Relations of Minhaj-u-Quran International and Muslim-Christian Dialogue Forum drew a broad-based participation from the leading figures of Muslim, Christian, Sikh and Hindu communities. Those who attended the moot included Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani, Amir of MQI, Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi, Secretary General of MQI, Father James Chanan of UR International, Dr Badir Muneer Saifi, Pastor Chaman Sardar, G.M. Malik, Mirza Ayub Baig, Noubahar Shah, Revered Joseph C. Lal, Revered Majeed Abel, Dr Kunwal Feroz, Amjad Hussain Raheemi, leader of JUI-F, Syed Tahir Sajjad Kazami, Bishop Rafan Masih, Pastor Malik Javed Masih, Mehndi Hassan of Jamia Al-Muntazir, Tahir Malik of National Peace Committee for National Peace, Ijaz Chaudhry, vice president of Tehreek-i-Insaaf, Pastor Francis Emunal of Internatioanl Gospel Mission, Francis Nadeem, Coordinator of Interfaith Dialogue, Pastor Noor Masih, Bishop Pervez Joseph, Revered Baber George, Pastor Shahzada Khurram, Akram Masih, member of National Assembly from minorities, Javed Khan of NouLakha Church, Aslam Masih Pervez of PML-Q, Ch. Riasiat Kokhar.




The participants unanimously adopted a Resolution on the occasion.
Unanimous Communiqué of the Conference

1. The leaders of all faiths strongly condemn the desecration of the Holy Quran at the hands of so-called Pastor Terry Jones in the U.S. State of Florida.
2. Such acts are designed to damage global peace and an environment of harmony and understanding among the followers of different religions.
3. The participants demand of the U.S., U.N., and international human rights organizations to legislate without any further delay to stem the repeat of such acts.
4. The sacrilege of the founders of all religions and desecration of the holy Books should be declared as criminal offence and the government of Pakistan should play effective role at the international forum.
5. The followers of all religions especially the members of the Christianity community living in Pakistan have unanimously condemned this act and demonstrated solidarity with the Muslims. The Muslims express their tribute to them for their clear-cut stand.
6. The participants also condemned the desecration of Bible and other Christian symbols by some malicious elements in Pakistan.
7. The Conference asks the UN to try Terry Jones on the charges of violation of the UN charter, violation of human rights and terrorism so that repeat of such acts is checked.
8. The participants also condemn the killing of Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti and demand of the government of Pakistan to bring his killers to justice.

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri felicitates Pakistani Cricket Team on qualifying for the semi-finals

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has felicitated the Pakistan’s cricket team on winning quarter final against West Indies and making it to the semi-final to be played against arch-rival India on March 30. In his message of felicitation, he said that all team players showed unity and a sense of purpose during their encounters against defending champion Australia and West Indies. The entire team, he said, has gelled into a well-knit fighting unit under the leadership of skipper Shahid Afridi, which is a good omen for Pakistan. He hoped that the team would fight even harder in the upcoming all-important world cup matches.

Muslim, Hindu & Christian leaders reiterate their pledge to work for Pakistan in a ceremony held under MQI

In a ceremony organized by Directorate of Interfaith Relations of Minhaj-ul-Quran International at Minar-e-Pakistan, Muslim, Hindu and Christian leaders reiterated their pledge to leave no stone unturned for the country’s solidarity and unity and make every possible effort for her progress. The leaders of these communities also prayed for the country to fight off internal and external conspiracies.

Speaking on the occasion, G.M. Malik, chief coordinator of Directorate of Interfaith Relations, said that on the auspicious occasion of Pakistan Day, it is the national duty of every citizen to pledge to make Pakistan a hub of peace. The presence of non-Muslim leaders at historic Minar-e-Pakistan, he said, is a proof of the fact that the country is the blessed land for 180 million people without any discrimination of religion and all of them have shared happiness and grief. The minorities enjoy complete freedom in Pakistan of the Quaid-e-Azam, he held.
In his speech, Hafiz Ghulam Farid, Deputy Director of Interfaith Relations, said that the entire nation is on the same page when it comes to the country’s security and progress. He said that today all of us confess to our mistakes and make a fresh commitment to expend our energies for the peace and security in the country. He said that if we stay the course, the day is not far when Pakistan would emerge as one of the leading nations of the world.
Lehrsiyab Khan, Secretary General of Pakistan Awami Tehreek, said that the 23rd of March is the seminal step towards the establishment of Pakistan wherein the Muslims identified their destination. The entire nation is reiterating its resolve to double their efforts for Pakistan’s progress and prosperity. Pakistan, he said, has the capacity and strength to emerge as one of the leading members in the comity of nations.
Priest Liaqat Fida, Javed Akhtar Masih, Baghat Laal Ji, Kalyan Singh said in their speeches that the minorities have played major role in the country’s progress. They assured that they would not be found wanting in meeting the contemporary challenges. They further said that the wellbeing of humanity is the essential and shared message of every religion and we must work for this purpose. PAT leaders Afzal Gujjra and Iftikhar Ahmad were also present on the occasion.

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri’s message on Pakistan Day

The 23rd of March is an important day in the history of Pakistan when seventy one years ago, the Muslims of the sub-continent gathered at the then Minto Park (now Minar-e-Pakistan) and charted a new course of action to achieve separate homeland under the inspiring leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The day reminds us of the heroic sacrifices and contributions rendered by the Muslims to realize the dream of Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
Despite living together with Hindus for well over 800 years, the Muslims could not amalgamate into the native composite culture and civilization. They kept their cultural identity, religious values and civilizational ethos intact and distinct from other those of communities that inhabited in Hindustan in spite of various efforts to impose a uniform culture and code of life. They also resented the efforts of the British government to treat the Indian political and constitutional problem under the ideal of Westminster democracy. Their quest for seeking separate electorate and other Muslim-specific concessions from the ruling British also bespoke of their innate desire to be treated as a nation.
The insistence of Congress on the application of Westminster democracy, where majority rules the roost, was an attempt at stifling the Muslims’ identity and assimilating them into larger Indian whole. The Nehru Report, which turned a blind eye to the existence of the Muslims and tended to project the notion of joint Nationalism, was a watershed, which made Muslims realize the gravity of challenge they were up against. It was at this stage that Allama Dr Muhmmad Iqbal, sage and philosopher of the East, vented out their pent-up desires and emotions and came up with the idea of a separate homeland for the Muslims after studying the Indian problem from the prism of history, geography, religion and politics. The treatment meted out to the Muslims at the hands of the ruling Congress between 1937 and 1939 only confirmed the efficacy of Iqbal’s thoughts and genuineness of the Muslims’ demand for being treated as equal to the Hindus. This provides the historical background for the passage of Resolution for Pakistan on March 23, 1940.
This day demands of us to do much-needed introspection and identify whether Pakistan of today represents the ideals which characterized the freedom struggle. An objective appraisal reveals that we have drifted far beyond from the vision of our founding fathers who wanted to make Pakistan a truly modern, moderate, democratic and welfare Islamic state where all citizens could live peacefully, enjoy equality before law, equal access to opportunities in accordance with the principles of social justice and equity propounded by Islam.
The flood of challenges Pakistan is mired in suggests that we have put the idea of Pakistan at the backburner. In the absence of strong nationalism, various sub-national identities on the basis of ethnicity, sectarianism, and provincialism have emerged to fill in the vacuum. The cropping up of forces of terrorism and extremism also owes itself to absence of a unifying idea which could bind diverse elements into a national power. We cannot succeed unless we search for our moorings and values.
Minhaj-ul-Quran International is striving to attain the goal for which Pakistan was achieved. It has launched a worldwide campaign against the forces of terrorism and extremism that are bent on bringing Pakistan and Islam into disrepute and embarrassment. On this auspicious day, let us pledge not to rest unless we achieve the goal of making Pakistan a truly democratic, Islamic welfare state as envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal. I extend my felicitation to people of Pakistan on this day.

MQI UK representatives meet Archbishop of Canterbury and visit Lambeth Palace Westminster Abbey

Interfaith harmony and interfaith dialogue has been the key factor for a peaceful society and Minhaj-ul-Quran International has always promoted interfaith harmony at an international level. The Lambeth Palace invited Minhaj-ul-Quran UK representatives for a visit to Lambeth Palace and Westminster Abbey on 17 March 2011 and the delegation included Shaykh Sadiq Qureshi al-Azhari, Minhaj Peace and Integration Council President Abu Adam Ash-Sheerazi, and MPIC Secretary, Ishtiaq Ahmed, Minhaj-ul-Quran UK Spokesman Shahid Mursaleen and other office bearers of Minhaj-ul-Quran, Youth League and Sisters League. The visit included showing around the Lambeth Palace and the explanation of its historic significance. Special interest was shown in the Crypt Chapel, dating back to the thirteenth century and the oldest structure in the building.

Reverend Rana Youab Khan who arranged the visit for Minhaj-ul-Quran UK and Bishop Mano Rumalshah, previously Bishop of Peshawar, led the delegation to the Westminster Abbey where they were given a privileged tour of the building which has served as the country’s coronation church since 1066. The delegation was received and welcomed by Revd Jane Hedges, Canon of Westminster who planned a privileged tour and access to the Abbey for the delegation of Minhaj-ul-Quran. She briefed the delegation about the significance of the Westminster Abbey and led the delegation to the shrine chapel of Edward the Confessor, which is usually not allowed for public. The first abbey church was built by Edward the Confessor in 1065. The delegation was also taken to Henry VII’s Chapel with its fan vaulted ceiling dating back to the early sixteenth century.



Later the delegation took part in a service held at St Largaret’s Church in the memory of Shabbaz Bhatti (Federal Minister for Minorities in Pakistan) who was assassinated on 2 March 2011. The service also included the Alistair Burt MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Cannon of Westminster and Rector of St Margaret’s Church Reverend Andrew Tremlett, Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, Reverend Declan Lang, Bishop of Clifton, representing the Archbishop of Westminster, accompanied by the Right Reverend Dr Alexander Malik, Bishop of Lahore. The High Commissioner for Pakistan Mr. Wajid Shamsul Hassan was also present. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams said in prayer: “May the gift of your Spirit of truth and peace be poured out especially upon the people and leaders of Pakistan, so that fear may be overcome, prejudice and hatred be taken away, and trust restored.” The delegation of Minhaj-ul-Quran UK met with various Bishops including Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams. Abu Adam Ash-Sheerazi and Ishtiaq Ahmed presented the Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri’s Fatwa on Terrorism & Suicide Bombings to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Mawlid-un-Nabi Conference 2011 under MQI Karachi

Minhaj-ul-Quran International (Karachi chapter) organized annual Mawlid-un-Nabi Conference 2011 on March 9, 2011 in the Memon Industrial area of the provincial metropolis. Hazrat Ghulam Shah Jilani presided over the conference, while Dr Khawaja Muhammad Ashraf, patron of MQI Sindh, Mufti Ghulam Dastigir Afghani, Zafar Iqbal Shah, Amir of MQI Karachi, Rao Kamran Mahmood, Secretary General of MQI Karachi, Allama Dr Naeem Anwer Nomani, Qaiser Iqbal Qadri and other prominent religious scholars were also present among the distinguished guests. A large number of people including women attended the conference. The government of Sindh made fool-proof security arrangements on the occasion.
The proceedings of the conference got underway formally with the recitation of the Holy Quran at 10 p.m. followed by Naat Khawani that continued till midnight. Afterwards, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri addressed the conference live from UK through video conferencing which was telecast live on QTV and internet around the world. Thus hundreds of thousands of people participated in the blessed event both directly and indirectly and listened to the scholarly discourse by a leading authority on Islam.



Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri recited the first verse of Sura al-Kawthar as the subject of his speech. Interpreting this verse, he said that the word ‘Kawthar’ has a number of implications. It means river or canal of paradise, ‘Hoz-e-Kawthar’, the abundance of the miracles of the Holy Prophet (SAW) and his vast knowledge and gnosis. ‘Kawthar’ also connotes abundance of good. It may also refer to infinite abundance in good viz. all the blessings, attributes, bliss, bounty, superiority, which Allah Almighty bestowed on the Holy Prophet (SAW). Shaykh-ul-Islam described the details of implications of the word ‘Kawthar’ in a lucid and scholarly manner. He also stated that ‘Kawthar’ implies all those attributes and qualities conferred on the previous Prophets individually and then collected in the person of the Holy Prophet (SAW) in abundance. Therefore, none of the creatures can be like him.
He said that the personality of the Holy Prophet (SAW) is unique both in character and physical beauty. Some people have confined his remembrance to his commandments. Narrating the beauty of the Holy Prophet (SAW) is the Sunna of the Companions. The jurists and Hadith-narrators, he added, have dedicated chapters to describe the beauty and physical perfection of the Holy Prophet (SAW). Therefore, the contention by certain people that the beauty of the Holy Prophet (SAW) has nothing to do with religion represents ignorance and lack of knowledge.
Shaykh-ul-Islam said that thousands of examples can be found in ‘Siha Sitta’ and all books on Hadith and Seera. The Hadith and Traditions based on the narration of beauty of the Holy Prophet (SAW) have been narrated by the distinguished Companions and Mothers of Believers such as Hazrat Anas Bin Malik, Ibne Abe Hala, Jabir Bin Samra, Abdullah Bin Abbas, Hazrat Ayesha Siddiqa (RA), and Hazrat Ali (RA). These Companions were specialists in describing the physical attributes of the Holy Prophet (SAW). All of these revered people have mentioned every physical attribute of the Prophet of Allah (SAW). It means that no person more beautiful than the Holy Prophet (SAW) has been born in the world.
Hazrat Ali (RA) states in one of the Traditions that whoever would see the Holy Prophet (SAW) suddenly would be wonder-struck and whoever would join his blessed company would become his lover.
The body of the Holy Prophet (SAW) was fragrant and his perspiration smelt sweet. The skin of his blessed body was very soft and the touch of his skin was also very fine.
According to jurists, had the beauty of the Holy Prophet (SAW) been exposed to heavens, they would have melted. Imam Qastalani, Shaykh Abdul Haq Mohaddus Dehlvi, Mulla Ali Qari, and others have held that the physical beauty of the Holy Prophet (SAW) mentioned in the books of Hadith is merely by way of example. None other than Allah Almighty knows about the beauty of the Holy Prophet (SAW).
Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri regretted that people today have given up the description of physical beauty of the Holy Prophet (SAW) and research on it and are getting deviated from the right path in the process. He said that likewise, the language of the Holy Prophet (SAW) was both comprehensive and eloquent. Though his mother tongue was Arabic but he knew every language. He would speak in the language of Quraish, and Hajjaj. When the tribes of Najd came to see him, he talked in their language. Hamdani, Yemeni and any other tribes from any part of the world, who came to meet the Holy Prophet (SAW), he would always talk in their language.
The keynote speech of Shaykh-ul-Islam concluded on 2.30 a.m. The Conference ended following sending of greetings and salutations on the Holy Prophet (SAW).

‘Knowledge: key to regaining lost glory’. Sahibzada Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri’s address to Mawlid-un-Nabi Conference

A Mawlid-un-Nabi Conference was organized under the banner of International Islamic Society on March 6, 2011 in Holiday Inn hotel in which Sahibzada Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, President of MQI’s Federal Council, was the guest of honour. A large number of people including Counsel Generals of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran and other countries and women also participated in the program. Abid Ali Baig conducted the proceedings of the Conference.

International Islamic Society came into being in 1976 with an aim to bringing Muslims of all communities to a single platform. The Society organizes two major events in a year; one after Eid-tul-Fitr and the second is the Mawlid-un-Nabi Conference. Leading scholars from the Muslim and the non-Muslim world are invited to speak to multicultural gatherings. Since the participants belong to various communities, therefore, its proceedings are conducted in English language.The program went underway with recitation from the Holy Quran by Mufti Muhammad Arshad followed by Naat. Mr. Saeed-ud-Din gave introductory remarks. He said that the purpose behind establishment of International Islamic Society is to unify all the Muslims belonging to various communities on a single platform. He thanked the speaker and other guests for spring their precious time for the seminar.
In his address to the Mawlid-un-Nabi Conference, Sahibzada Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, President of MQI’s Federal Council, said that all professions found in the world are the manifestation of Beautiful Names of Allah Almighty. He said that if one adopted a particular profession with sincerity of purpose and correct intentions, even this way can provide man with a link with his Creator.


Quoting various Quranic verses and Traditions, Sahibzada Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, threw light on the importance of acquiring knowledge. He said that if the Muslim world seeks to replace its downfall with glory, it would have to steal a march upon the western world in the field of knowledge and science and technology. He spoke on the subject for about one hour.
The respected guests including the Counsel Generals appreciated Sahibzada Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri for the depth of his lecture.
The President of the Society said that the address by Sahibzada sahib helped understand new aspects and fathom the essence of what is at the heart of present malaise afflicting the Muslim Umma. He hoped that lecture would be incisive and provide people with food for thought.

Shaykh-ul-Islam speaks at Georgetown University in Washington DC

Following the successful anti-terrorism fatwa in March 2010, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri was invited by renowned scholar Professor John Esposito to speak at Georgetown University at the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding.Prof John Esposito introduced Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri and invited him to speak to an audience which included US-government officials, cadets from US Army, Navy and Air Force as well as academicians, policy makers and representatives of various organisations and agencies. Former Director of Operations of World Bank, Mr Ziad Alahdad was also present.

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri focused his speech on the clarification of the concept of Jihad in Islam, concept of Khawarij and clarification on Dar al-Islam/ Dar al-Harb.

He said that Jihad guarantees the establishment of global peace and social welfare-oriented nations. He declared that Jihadi groups have misinterpreted the concept of jihad. Shaykh-ul-Islam clarified that “the literal meaning of jihad is exertion, struggling, striving, and putting extreme efforts according to extreme abilities, to counter evil, to achieve good for sake of Allah.”



The radicals have misguided the younger generation by declaring the Western and some Muslim nations as dar al-harb. Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri rejected that view and introduced an alternative.

The category is the Muslim-majority countries with Muslim rulers and these are considered part of dar al-Islam (Abode of Peace), which is based on providing peace and security and freedom of religion to the people. He emphasized that majority of countries are dar al-Ahd (Abode of permanent peace treaty) which includes all the countries which are part of the UNO which introduced the international treaty of peace.


The category of dar al-harb (Abode of war) only applies to states with no peace treaties and which are currently in direct war with Muslim-majority states and/or where Muslims are unsafe in that country. However, in Islam even in warfare there are strict rules of conduct to follow. The Muslim army during warfare cannot even target or harm non-combatants, children, old men or women. In the light of manifest Islamic injunctions, terrorism has absolutely no place what so ever.
Shaykh-ul-Islam’s speech left no doubt on any point he made. He entertained various questions in the Q&A session which clarified many concepts. In the end Prof John Esposito thanked Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri for speaking in Washington and was very pleased with the lecture.

PAT calls for reforms in the electoral system

Pakistan Awami Tehreek has welcomed the NADRA’s identification of about 40 million fake votes and its request to the Election Commission of Pakistan to delete them from the voters’ lists. It has demanded of the ECP to do the needful at the earliest so that the lists could be purged of fake and bogus votes.
These views were expressed by Anwar Akhtar Advocate, Secretary General of Pakistan Awami Tehreek after the meeting of the PAT’s Executive Committee here in Lahore today. The meeting was attended by Chaudhry Sharif, Dr Tanvir Azam Sandhu, Jawad Hamid, Afzal Gujjar, Ghulam Farid and other provincial leaders.
Anwar Akhatar Advocate said that such steps are direly needed for the establishment of true democracy in the country. However, the goal, he said, would remain unmet unless the present electoral system is also changed. The meeting demanded of the government to uproot the present system which promotes the culture of winning horses and bars the entrance of honest, capable and middle class leadership in the assemblies.
“Such positive steps as the one taken by NADRA would be of no use unless the complete overhaul of the electoral system takes place,’ PAT’s Secretary General concluded.

Shaykh-ul-Islam appoints Dr Joel Hayward as his Strategic Policy Adviser

Dr Joel Hayward has been appointed as ‘Strategic Policy Adviser to Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri’ after a meeting in London on March 8, 2011. Dr Hayward has been given this responsibility with immediate effect. In a four-hour meeting with Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri various issues of mutual interest were discussed including the role of Muslims in Britain, human rights and integration in British society, and the struggle against extremism. A scholar of war and strategy (including the Qur’anic concepts of war), Dr Hayward fully shares Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri's scholarly judgment that, regardless of any motives, terrorism can never be supported (and is in fact condemned) by the Qur’an and the Sunnah. The meeting was also attended by Dawood Mash’hadi, Minhaj-ul-Quran Foreign Affairs Co-ordinator; Shahid Mursaleen, Spokesman Minhaj-ul-Quran UK and Ishtiaq Ahmed, General Secretary of Minhaj Peace and Integration Council.

Dr Joel Hayward's strategic advice to Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri is not a formal responsibility within his professional career. He offers his expertise unofficially out of a desire to improve human integration and cultural harmony.
Dr Hayward holds various academic posts, including Dean of the Royal Air Force College, Co-Director of the Royal Air Force Centre for Air Power Studies, Head of King's College London's Air Power Studies Division and Professor of Strategy (Adjunct) at the Indonesian Defense University. He is the author and editor of eight books as well as dozens of peer-reviewed book chapters and journal articles, some of which have appeared in German, Russian, Portuguese, Spanish and Serbian translations. He lectures widely throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and beyond on various political, defence and security topics. He also frequently teaches and writes on Islam, war and justice and speaks at anti-radicalisation workshops. Unusually for a social scientist, he is also active in the literary arts and has published both fiction and poetry. His second collection of poetry is due to be out shortly. He also writes regular political and literary columns in several magazines. He has recently written an introduction to Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri’s book “Fatwa on Terrorism and Suicide Bombings”

Commenting after the appointment Dr Hayward said “It is a tremendous honour to support Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri and the Minhaj-ul-Quran organisation through the provision of strategic policy advice. As someone who has always been committed to the wellbeing of all humans through religious moderation, accessible and enriching education, and dialogue based on mutual respect between the world's great faith communities," He added "I have the highest regard for the Minhaj-ul-Quran organisation. Its aspirations are worthy and potentially world-changing. As a scholar who loves rock-solid research and good judgment, I am also extremely impressed by the Shaykh's impeccable scholarship. Insha'Allah I can contribute something useful to further the causes of peace, respect and toleration.”

Historical Launching of Fatwa Against Terrorism

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, the founding leader and patron-in-chief of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, has issued his detailed edict (Fatwa) against terrorism which consists of more than 600 pages. The launching ceremony of the Fatwa was held on March 2, 2010 in London (UK). Minhaj-ul-Quran International UK arranged a press conference which was heavily attended by representatives of the international media besides Labour party minister Shahid Malik, members of EU and UK parliaments Sajjad Karim, Muhammad Sarwar, James Finter, ambassadors of Iraq, Germany and other countries, officials of the Home Office, Commonwealth Office and Metropolitan Police, Professors and Muslim and Christian community leaders.


Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri presented the anti-terror Fatwa in Urdu and English languages before the international media. It should be kept in mind that Shaykh-ul-Islam had declared to issue a detailed Fatwa against terrorism and suicide bombings in December 2009, which was originally thought to consist of 300 pages, whose volume later on increased to 600 pages due to scholarly dealing of the subject. This Fatwa is the only one of its kind in terms of its intellectual value, penetrating research and authentic allusions. Hence, it is a scholarly and historic document.

A Profile of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri

A man of manifold and staggering achievements, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri is the founding leader of Minhaj-ul-Qur’an International (MQI), an organization with branches and centres in more than 90 countries around the globe, working for the promotion of peace and harmony between communities and the revival of spiritual endeavour based on the true teachings of Islam. Shaykh-ul-Islam is a scholar of extraordinary proportions and an intellectual leader for all seasons. He is a living model of profound classical knowledge, intellectual enlightenment, practical wisdom, pure spirituality, love, harmony and humanism. He is well known for his ardent endeavour to strengthen bonds among people, by bringing them together through tolerance, dialogue, integration and education. He successfully bridges the past with his image of the future and finds convincing solutions for contemporary problems. He has been teaching Hadith, Tafsir, Fiqh, Theology, Sufism, Seerah, Islamic philosophy and many other rational and traditional sciences to thousands of people, including Ulema, scholars, Shuyukh, students, intellectuals and academics in the east and the west.



Shaykh-ul-Islam was born on February 19, 1951 in the historical city of Jhang, Pakistan, and is the son of the great spiritualist and intellectual of his time ash-Shaykh Dr Farida’d-Din al-Qadri. He was educated from the young age in both the Islamic and secular sciences simultaneously. Although he had already started his religious education under his father two years earlier, his formal classical education was initiated in Madina at the age of 12, in Madrasa al-‘Ulum ash-Shar‘iyya, which was situated in the blessed house of Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, the first residence of the Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) after his migration. By the time he had received a First Class Honours Degree from the University of the Punjab in 1970, he had also completed his Classical Islamic Studies, having spent over ten years under the tutelage of his father and other eminent Shuyukh of his time and achieving an unparalleled understanding of the classical shari‘a sciences and Arabic language. He earned his MA in Islamic Studies in 1972 with the University of the Punjab Gold Medal, achieved his LLB in 1974 and began to practise as a lawyer in the district courts of Jhang. He moved to Lahore in 1978 and joined the University of the Punjab as a lecturer in law and then gained his PhD in Islamic Law. He was also a member of the Syndicate, Senate and Academic Council of the University of the Punjab, which are the highest executive, administrative and academic bodies of the University.

In a short span of time, he emerged as the country’s leading Islamic jurist and scholar and revivalist of the Islamic ideology. He was appointed as a Jurist Consult (legal adviser) on Islamic law for the Supreme Court and the Federal Shari‘a Court of Pakistan and also worked as a specialist adviser on Islamic curricula for the Federal Ministry of Education of Pakistan at various times between 1983 and 1987. In the 1980s, a number of historical judgments in the legal and constitutional history of Pakistan were passed by the Federal Shariʻa Court and the Appellate Shariʻa Bench, Supreme Court of Pakistan as a result of Shaykh-ul-Islam’s juristic arguments, documented in the Pakistan Legal Decisions (PLDs) and Pakistan Legal Judgments (PLJs).
He is also a former Professor of Islamic Law at the University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan, and the youngest person ever to have been awarded a professorship in the history of the University. Shaykh-ul-Islam has also previously held the position of the Head of the Department for LLM in Islamic Legislation.

Shaykh-ul-Islam founded Minhaj-ul-Qur’an in 1981 and established its headquarters in Lahore. In less than 30 years, Minhaj-ul-Qur’an has expanded and spread over more than 90 countries around the world; and in terms of its comprehensive and all-encompassing sphere of activities, educational, social, cultural and spiritual, Minhaj-ul-Qur’an is probably one of the largest non-governmental organizations in the world.

Shaykh-ul-Islam is founder and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Minhaj University Lahore which is chartered by Government and is imparting higher education to thousands of students in the faculties of basic, modern, social, management and religious sciences. He is the founder of Minhaj Education Society which has established more than 570 schools and colleges in Pakistan. He is also the founding Chairman of Minhaj Welfare Foundation, a humanitarian and social welfare organization working globally. He is the founding leader of different forums of Minhaj-ul-Qur’an including Minhaj-ul-Qur’an Ullama Council, Minhaj-ul-Qur’an Women League, Minhaj Youth League, Mustafavi Students Movements and Muslim Christian Dialogue Forum.