a href="/myfiles/Images/2012/11/04/ki08.jpg" title="A scholar addresses the audiences at the 20th “Jashn-e Istikbal Hujjaj" (Celebration of welcoming Indian pilgrims) in Jeddah recently. — Courtesy photo " A scholar addresses the audiences at the 20th “Jashn-e Istikbal Hujjaj" (Celebration of welcoming Indian pilgrims) in Jeddah recently. — Courtesy photo Syeda Amtul Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – A function was organized to celebrate the 20th “Jashn-e Istikbal Hujjaj” (Celebration of welcoming pilgrims) by Old Boys Association of Jamia Nizamia –– one of the oldest Islamic universities in Hyderabad –– under the patronage of Syed Shah Azam Ali Sufi Qadri, President of Jamiat-ul-Mashaiq, at a local restaurant here recently. Around 40 pilgrims including Islamic scholars, educationists, doctors, and professors of the university were in attendance. As an honorable gesture, all the guests were given shawls, caps and certificates by the association. Former Mufti of Jamia Nizamia Syed Shah Sadiq Muhiuddin Faheem presided over the function as the chief guest. He said every act of worship whether it is Salah, Zakah or Haj should be performed with clear intentions and utmost sincerity. The function started with the recitation of a few verses from the Qur'an by Muhammad Imtiyaz, Kamil Jamia Nizamia, followed by an eulogy by Abubakr. President of Pilgrims Reception Committee Siraj Muhammad Khan delivered the inaugural address. Dr Muhammad Junaid Zakir, Assistant Professor Maulana Azad National Urdu University, said that millions of pilgrims perform haj and the facilities in terms of accommodation, food and water, among others are improving every year. He duly praised the Saudi government for providing state-of-the-art facilities to the Guests of Allah. Muhammad Nasir Uddin, Founder of Dar-ul-Uloom Mehboobia, said that when a person thinks of undertaking the Haj pilgrimage, people around him usually paint a horrid description of the difficulties that he/she will have to experience. But, it is only after performing Haj that people realize it isn't the case. Nasir Uddin said he performed his Haj with ease. Asghar Sharfi, a member of the managing committee of Jamia Nizamia, explained the importance of Haj in the light of Qur'an and Sunnah. Syed Zia Uddin Naqshbandi, Naib Mufti Jamia Nizamia, shed light on the importance of visiting Madina after Haj. He said it is obligatory for Muslims to visit the Prophet's Mosque and offer prayers at the Riydh-ul-Jannah. He said that according to a Hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The area between my house and my pulpit is among one of the gardens in Paradise.” Hence, special supplications should be made there. Qari Mohammed Naveed Afroz Naveed, President of Old Boys Association of Jamia Nizamia, successfully conducted the program. Aijaz Ahmed Khan, Vice President of the Pilgrims Reception Committee also took part in the function's arrangements. The function was organized in alliance with the association and Khak-e-Taiba Trust, Bazm-e-Ittehad, Urdu Academy, Indian Cultural Society, and other social organizations.
