Monday, 22 August 2011

Vast arrangements have been made for ‘sehr’ and ‘iftar’ of 15 thousand male and female participants of the Itikaf City being held under the banner of Minhaj-ul-Quran International. The entire Itikaf City has been divided into 600 camps and the cooking continues round the clock for ‘sehr’ and ‘iftar’ to meet the demand of such a large number of ‘mo'takefeen’. 520 caldrons (daigs) of mutton, chicken, vegetable and ‘haleem’ are cooked to meet the need of one day’s ‘sehr and iftar’. 40 thousand breads, 50 thousand liter drinking water, 480 kg dates, 12 thousand liter tea, and ice are being served to the Itikaf participants who have migrated to Allah and His beloved Prophet for the last ten days of holy Ramadan, following the Prophetic Sunnah.

These views were expressed by Mr Jawad Hamid, Secretary of the central management committee while briefing the journalists about ‘sehr’ and ‘iftar’ arrangements. The committee comprises an efficient team of highly experienced workers, supervisors and leaders of MQI, representing Markaz as well as tanzeemat who have come to participate in itikaf from all over the country and abroad.

The colossal team work ensures that the distribution of food begins one hour before the breaking of fast and every resident of Itikaf City gets food in time. Food is being cooked according to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of health care and nutrition. The Secretary Itikaf Committee said that every ‘Mautakif’ has paid Rs. 1200 for provision of ‘sehri and iftari’ and it is the foremost responsibility of the management to provide quality food to the residents of the Itikaf City. He said that huge fans have also been installed in view of hot weather.

The 15000 participants are observing their rituals of spiritual training with complete cohesion and coordination under the guidance of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri who delivers his talks and lectures from abroad through video arrangements morning and evening. It is an environment of total spiritual rapture and ecstasy that paves the way to establish the servants' link with Allah and His Messenger and enables them to purify their minds of urges of the lower self. Then they go back to life with softened and moderated minds to contribute to the peace and prosperity of society which is the main objective of Minhaj-ul-Quran International. The galvanizing leadership of Shaykh-ul-Islam is a gift of God that motivates us to lead a purified and dignified life according to the principles laid down in the Quran and Sunnah.