New Muslims pose for a group photo with office bearers of the “Hifzur Rehman Seoharvi Academy” and guests at the felicitation ceremony held last week at a local restaurant in Jeddah. — SG photo by Syed Mussarat Khalil Syed Mussarat Khalil Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — The “Moulana Hifzur Rehman Seoharvi Academy” organized a program to felicitate 11 new Asian expatriates who embraced Islam from Christianity and Hindu religions last week at Lasani restaurant here. Pakistan's former federal minister of Housing in President General Pervaiz Musharraf's cabinet and an accomplished businessman in Jeddah Shahbaz Hussain Choudhary was the chief guest. Sheikh Sulman, who was known as B. Ratna Rajo before embracing Islam 20 years ago after reading several books of Ahmed Deedat on “Christianity and Islam,” presided over the gathering.
In his presidential address, Sulman thanked and appreciated the academy's services of preaching and spreading Islam by distributing free CDs, literature and audio cassettes. Zeeshan Ahmed Khan, director of Hifzur Rehman Seoharvi academy, was the guest of honor. The program started with the recitation of a few verses from the Qur'an by Faraz Ayub followed by a poetry by Zamurrad Khan Safi. Academy's General Sectary Ashfaque Ahmed welcomed the guests and congratulated the newly Muslims who belonged to the Philippines and Andhra Pradesh, India. After introducing the academy and shedding light on the social and welfare works of the organization, he said: “Our primarily aim is preaching and spreading Islam in the Kingdom.” Maviya, who accepted Islam in Saudi Arabia few years ago, described the social and economic problems after accepting Islam by new Muslims. He appealed to the community to come forward and help them in their problems. Dr. Dilshad Shamsi introduced two Filipinos, now known as Abdul Rehman Jr. and Sr, who accepted Islam two months and six months ago respectively; they also shared their views on accepting Islam. Choudhary said it was an honor for him to be among prominent Indian, Pakistani community leaders, scholars, preachers and new Muslims. He congratulated and prayed for all members who accepted Islam and extended his support and cooperation. Gifts were given by Azizul Rab, Abdul Sattar, Aziz Qidwai, Niaz Ahmed, Sohail Akhtar, Imtiaz Ahmed Asim Zeeshan, Arshad Saeed, Osama Tasleem and Ch. Shahbaz from Ajmal perfumes, Abdullah Hashim, IISJ Alumni Association, Mushir Alam perfumes, Al-Qasmi perfumes and Mohammed Ayub Seoharvi welfare association. Bahjat Ayub Najmi, founder president of the academy, thanked all guests, members, attendees, and sponsors. On Friday, November 22, a similar program will be held for ladies who came in to the fold of Islam. The program was conducted by the prominent scholar and director of academy, Hafiz Anwar Ali. — SG
