Daman-e-Koh is a viewing point and hilltop garden north of Islamabad and located in the middle of the Margalla Hills. I once visited Daman-e-Koh at night. Hanzala was probably five years old at the time. When she looked at Islamabad from that height, she shouted, “Stars have come down to earth.”
Hanzala’s surprise, her happiness, her condition cannot be forgotten. On June 16 and 17, 2021, my condition was almost the same as that of Hanzala. The same surprise, the same happiness, and the same devotion. In front of me, a lot of stars had landed on the land of Islamabad.
Hazrat Maulana Pir Aziz-ur-Rehman Sahib’s Margalla Gulshan Darul Uloom Zakaria was shining brightly. Sheikhs, dignitaries, scholars, imams, preachers and administrators of religious schools from all over the country were gathered in this valley of knowledge.
Such people who have spent more than whole life in teaching and learning, such great men who carried the message of Islam in the East and the West with love, were present at the occasion. In my short life, I have seen many gatherings but such a knowledgeable and historical occasion is rarely seen.
These were only selected people. Only those gentlemen who were members of the Working Committee, Majlis-e-Shura and Majlis-e-Amumi of Wafaq-ul-Madaris were the only ones invited to this meeting. The total number of General Assembly of Wafaq ul Madaris Al-Arabia is about 1328. More than 1200 people participated in this meeting.
Hazrat Maulana Pir Aziz-ur-Rehman Hazarawi, the founder of Darul Uloom Zakaria, was blessed by Allah Almighty with a big heart and open hand. Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Hanif Jalandhari Sahib said, “If Pir Sahib were alive today, the day would have had Eid.”
However, his sons and teachers and students of Darul Uloom Zakaria paid their due hospitality. According to their traditions, the staff of the head office of the Wafaq ul Madaris carried out all the tasks including preparation of the meeting, compiling lists, preparing invitations, liaising with the moderators and officials across the country.
Our media team, including Maulana Talha Rahmani, Maulana Mohammad Ahmad Hafiz, Maulana Abdul Rauf Mohammadi, Maulana Tanveer Ahmad Awan, Mohammad Osama Sabir and Mohammad Anis, updated the participants timely. Reporting process was carried out. Important statements were recorded.
Usually it happens that important people come last in programs or meetings but this time the opposite happened. The first to attend was Maulana Muhammad Hanif Jalandhari, the head of Wafaq ul Madaris. After that, Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani visited and stayed in Darul Uloom Zakaria for two days.
In a spacious, beautiful and magnificent farmhouse situated on the side of Darul Uloom Zakaria, the meeting of the working committee was arranged. The working committee met on Wednesday, June 16. There was a long and detailed consultation. Every aspect was considered.
The next day, the meeting of General Assembly took place in the mosque of Darul Uloom. Several renowned personalities addressed the meeting. All expressed confidence in the Wafaq ul Madaris and called the boy a mercy of Almighty Allah. During the meeting, such manifestations of mutual respect, devotion and love were seen.
The eloquent speech of Hazrat Maulana Saeed Yusuf Sahib, Khatib of Kashmir during the meeting created a stir in the audience. The manner in which Maulana Ata-ur-Rehman expressed confidence in the leadership of the Federation of Madrassas is enviable.
The most detailed speech on this occasion was delivered by Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Hanif Jalandhari. He spoke about the history of Wafaq ul Madaris, the past and present of the madrassas, negotiations with the government and problems and difficulties being faced by madrassahs. He pointed out the attempts to break the unity and solidarity of madrassas.
He also spoke about the prospects and situation regarding the future and how Maulana Jalandhari is performing various responsibilities of the religious body for the last 41 years.The audience remained focused.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s provoking speech was a special thing in this meeting. He mentioned the need and importance of Wafaq ul Madaris with beauty. The manner in which Maulana described the policies of Wafaq ul Madaris and the sentiments and views about the head of the religious body showed mutual love and respect.
In his statement, Maulana Taqi exposed the conspiracies against Islam and Islamic civilization in the subcontinent, local and foreign measures and policies and the strategy adopted for its remediation.
The speech of Maulana Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani was of utmost importance. The manner in which he described the cult, temperament and humor of the great Deobandi scholars was wordless. Hazrat Mufti Sahib also pointed out many misunderstandings, problems and abominations in the religious classes with great virtue and wisdom.
Mufti Taqi Usmani also nominated Hazrat Maulana Dr Abdul Razzaq Iskander Sahib as President of Wafa-ul-Madaris, Hazrat Maulana and Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Hanif Jalandhari Sahib for the post of General Secretary. All of the participants not only raised their hands in the air but also stood up and supported the proposal and expressed full confidence in the leadership of the religious body.
The moment that the leadership of Wafaq-ul-Madrais was chosen by more than 1,200 scholars with collectiveness, confidence, trust, and hope was undoubtedly historic.
