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Home | News | Shaykh Pirzada meets and addresses members of AKSA

 NEWS: 06/04/2008

The Al-Karam Scholars Association (AKSA) is made up of over one hundred British Imams, scholars and teachers who have graduated from Jamia Al-Karam since its establishment in 1985. Moreover, with the passing of every academic year, the number of graduates of Jamia Al-Karam is constantly on the increase. In addition to the studies at Jamia Al-Karam, many have completed further education at Egypt’s Al-Azhar University as well as various universities of Great Britain. On Sunday 2 March 2008, a bi-annual meeting of AKSA was held at Jamia Al-Karam.

Addressing the AKSA meeting in the morning session, Shaykh Pirzada passionately spoke to his students saying, “The hope for the future of the Ahl al-Sunnah, my dear students! When you will reach my age, the present Ahl al-Sunnah leadership may no longer be present and amongst those upon whose shoulders shall lay the leadership of the Ahl al-Sunnah, you scholars of Al-Karam shall be the greater majority. This is due to the fact that the Ahl al-Sunnah has been unable to sufficiently work for the future and in the past forty years we have been unable to keep our own coming generations steadfast upon our principles, beliefs and doctrines. Therefore, learning a lesson from our mistakes, it is your duty to constructively think about and plan for the future. You should establish various think-tanks and committees that can continue a dialogue with every governmental department and every faith and culture in order to further pleasant and positive relations. You should study and research in relation to every faith, religion and society.”

Chair of AKSA and Khatib of the Manchester Central Mosque Victoria Park, ‘Allama Muhammad Arshad al-Misbahi, raising the morale of the young scholars said, “Allah (Most High) is very generous and merciful. Whosoever struggles in His way with utmost sincerity, He opens many avenues of success for that individual.”

The Secretary-General of AKSA and the Vice Principal of Jamia Al-Karam, Bakhtyar H Pirzada al-Azhari, shed some light on the achievements and works of Jamia Al-Karam’s Centre for Islamic Studies (Dars Nizami) as well as the Al-Karam Secondary School. In his comments, he emphasised the need of there being positive and practical role models for the Muslim youth growing up in the West to look up to so that they do not get sucked into any adverse influence or any form of extremism. “An institution made up of influential individuals can play a positive leadership role” he said.

The Khatib of Jamia Chishtia in Rochdale, Imam Irfan Faizi Chishti, said, “The time has come that each one of us scholars brings forward his talents and skills and occupies himself in the service of Islam.” The Khatib of the Golden Mosque in Rochdale, Abu Awais Imam Muhammad Zahoor Chishti, said, “The new challenges the Muslims are facing in the West require a new thinking and approach.” The senior lecturer of Jamia Al-Karam’s Dars Nizami, Mawlana Gul Muhammad, said, “It is essential for Muslim leadership that it critically and analytically examines the modern world and then develops its policies.” The Head of Islamic Studies at the Al-Karam Secondary School, Mawlana Muhammad Ishaq, whilst presenting the example of the holy Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) firstly produced scholars in Dar al-Arqam as well as in al-Masjid al-Nabawi and today in order to take Islam to the coming generations, the foundation lies in the producing of scholars.”

Imam Tahir Mahmood Kiani from Batley emphasised the importance of writing and researching. “He who can write a paragraph, by some more effort can write a book.” He said. The teacher from Luton Central Mosque, Abdul Quadeer, said, “The Muslim community needs to serve in three important areas: teaching, writing and lecturing.”

In the second session following the Zuhr Prayer, all members were given opportunities to comment and share their thoughts. Various committees were formulated to progress in research and dialogue with different faith communities.

In addition, Jamia Al-Karam’s new fund-raising project was launched, Friends of Al-Karam, as well as the Gateway to Divine Mercy 2008 was announced which is to be held on Sunday 29 June 2008 at the Sheridan Suite in Manchester.

Amongst the scholars who participated were Hafiz Musaddaq Shaheen al-Azhari (Peterborough), Asif Ali al-Azhari (High Wycombe), Mushtaq Hussain (High Wycombe), Iftikhar Dad al-Azhari (London), Jamil Akram (High Wycombe), Qazi Abdul Mateen al-Azhari (Derby), Hafiz Mahboob Hussain al-Azhari (Batley), Irfan Shahzad al-Azhari (Bradford), Osman Saeed Dar al-Azhari (Rochdale), Kalim Haider (Manchester), Abu Saeed Ahmed (Manchester), Hafiz Muhammad Israr Khan (Slough), Abu Bakr Ghulam Ali al-Azhari (Bradford), Zulfqar Haider Pirzada al-Azhari (Eaton Hall), Qari Abdul Rahman al-Azhari (Nelson), Muzammal Hussain Ahmed al-Azhari (Burnley), Imran Muhammad al-Azhari (Bolton), Hafiz Tahir Rafiq al-Azhari (London), Mustafa Ahmad Ashrafi al-Azhari (Bolton), Ramzan Muhammad al-Azhari (Rochdale), Imran Hussain (Birmingham), Aftab Mahaudden al-Azhari (Bately), Zahid Hussain al-Azhari (Preston), Asad Ali (Burnley), Muneer-ul-Hassan Rabbani (Glasgow), Arif Adam (Bolton), Ahtisham-ul-Haq Arif (Dewsbury), Ahtiram-ul-Haq Arif (Dewsbury), Tawseef Ahmad Khan (Dewsbury), Imran Muhammad Kalam (Lichfield), Mansoor Mahmood (Glasgow) and Rizwan Hussain (High Wycombe).

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