JEDDAH — "Haj which is a pillar of Islam is a spiritual journey. From start till end is the journey which consists of many acts which connects to the acts of many prophets," said Maulana Hafiz Syed Shah Khaleelullah Owais Bukhari Naqshbandi in a function arranged by the Alumni association of Jamia Nizamia, "Bazme Tulba-E-Qadeem W Muhibban-E-Jamia Nizamia," to welcome and felicitate the pilgrims recently at a local restaurant here. Naqshbandi was the chief guest of the evening. The visiting pilgrims were Dr. Iqbal Mohiuddin, principal TSRS minority for boys, Mohd Hussam Uddin, editor, Etemaad daily and headmaster boys primary school, Hafiz and Qari Mohd Salim Aalim, Jamia Nizamia, Syed Badruddin Hussaini, Molvi Jamia Nizamia, Hafiz Qari Tajjamul Ahmed Naqshbandi Qadri, Molvi Hafiz Qari Abdul Rasheed, Mohammed Afsar Mohiuddin, Mohd Zafar Mohiuddin, Mohd Abdulrehman and Mohd Abdulraheem. Naqshbandi, Taha Ghulam Yaseen and Mohd Taqiuddin were in function in their role as domestic pilgrims. Taha Ghulam Yaseen is the youngest pilgrim in this year's felicitation ceremony. All the pilgrims were given appreciation certificates and given Mishlah (the traditional gown wore on the thobe or any other dress) as a memory from the alumni. Siraj Mohd Khan Qadri, President of Istekbal-e Hajj committee welcomed the guest while Maulana Hafiz Mohd Abdul Salam also addressed the gathering and highlighted some of the basic principles of visiting Kabaa and Prophet's Mosque. Salam, vice president of the alumni and Hafiz Nizamuddin Ghouri, media secretary of association, compered the program. The alumni President Mohammed Naveed Afroz said: "To host a pilgrim is a kind of blessing from Allah. We can please Allah by hosting these guests of Allah." While addressing the gathering Dr. Iqbal Mohiuddin praised the efforts taken by the government to manage the largest gathering of the world. Mohd Hussamuddin praised the activities of Alumni association and congratulated them on their upcoming 25th anniversary. Earlier, the program started with the recitation of a few verses from the Qur'an by Hafiz Mohd Abdulsalam Aziz Anwari followed by Naats by Hafiz Mohd Salim Qadri, Hafiz and Qari Tajamul Ahmed Naqshbandi, Syed Ahmed Raza and Ameenuddin Ansari.
