JEDDAH — Director of Jeddah-based Moulana Hifzur Rehman Seoharvi Academy Bahjat Ayub Najmi hosted a dinner reception in honor of well known Indian scholar and preacher Muhammad Umar Gautam, chairman Islamic Da'wah Centre (IDC) Delhi-India, at his residence here recently.
The gathering witnessed a large number of prominent members from India and Pakistan.
The program started with the recitation of some verses from the Qur'an by renowned religious scholar and philanthropist Abdul Basit.
Najmi welcomed all the guests and gave a brief introduction of chief guest Gautam.
According to the host, Gautam, who was born in a Rajput family in 1964 at Fatehpur district of Northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh (UP), shed light on his Islamic and social services which are spread over a span of 30 years.
He requested the audience to extend their prayers, support and cooperate with him in his Dawah work among the Muslims and non-Muslims.
Gautam, who came into the fold of Islam in 1984, described in detail about his journey toward Islam, the difficulties and problems he faced from RSS and Bajrang Dal elements.
“In the beginning I received threats to get killed from them, and there was pressure to returned to Hinduism.”
Gautam took the name of Umar after embracing Islam because “I was impressed with the life of the great Islamic leader Umar Ibin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him), the second caliph of Islam.
Talking about his life after becoming a Muslim, Gautam said Islam is a humanitarian religion and the manners of dealing with mankind is best than any other religion in the world.
At the of the program Fahad Ayub Najmi presented a souvenir to Gautam.
