JEDDAH — Pakistan Writer Forum (PWF), a well known literary organization of poets and writers here, hosted a lecture on “importance of Ramadan” during a reception of former Saudi diplomat, scholar and renewed journalist Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi at the residence of professor Asif Ahmad near Masjid Amir Hamza Aziziyah last week. The program began with the recitation of few verses from the Holy Qur'an by student of Pakistan community school Mumtaz Zafar Makki. This was followed by a naat, a poetry in praise of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), by prominent social figure in Pakistani community Sher Afzal. Prominent members and distinguished guests of community included Altaf Hussain Awan, renowned journalist Mustafa Habib Siddiqui, Mohammed Rizwan-ul-Haq, Professor Saeed Ahmad Khan, Aslam Zubair, prominent social worker Ahmad Raza Karimi, Mohsin Alvi, Zaki uddin and Poet Zamarrud Saifi were among the attendees. Tauqir Ahmed, vice chairman of the group, conducted the proceedings and welcomed all the guests. Dr. Al-Ghamdi expressed his thanks to Neaz Ahmad, chairman of PWS, and appreciated the efforts of PWF in the promotion of literary and educational services. While elaborating on the importance of Ramadan, Dr. Ghamdi described in detail the virtues of fasting and Ramadan. He said Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar. This is the month of Rahmah, Magferah (forgiveness) and to seek salvation (Najat) from Hell fire. “Our Prophet (pbuh) said, ‘Ramadan is a month whose beginning is Mercy, whose middle is Forgiveness and whose end is Freedom from the Fire,'” said Al-Ghamdi. He said the word Ramadan is derived from the Arabic word “Ramda” which means heat because all Arabic months have meaning and the meaning of Ramadan is connected with heat. Fasting means “to refrain” and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but also from evil actions and thoughts. He said fasting was not a new thing. It was also practiced in earlier times. The Qur'an said “O You who believe! Fasting is made obligatory for you, even as it was made for the people before you, so may choose the way of self-restraint. Sura Baqara: 2:183 He said, Ramadan is the month in which the Holy Qur'an was revealed which shows the right path to the people and in which there are signs for guidance and the difference between right and wrong. He also shed light on the importance of Laylat Al-Qadr (the night of power), Taqwa, Zakat, charity. He mentioned the victories that Muslims achieved during Ramadan like the Battle of Badr and the event of Fatah Makkah (victory in Makkah).and many other victories. Chairman Neaz Ahmed thanked all the guest and said we want to know more about the holy month of Ramadan in the light of teachings of Qur'an and Hadith by a native Arabic speaker. Chief patron Moulana Seharwi Academy Bahjat Ayub Najmi made a supplication for Muslims around the world.
