View Photos from the Visit

On Friday 29 January 2010, Jamia Al-Karam hosted the Vice President of the Republic of Iraq, Tariq Al-Hashimi, who took a whole day out of his busy official trip to London and travelled to Eaton Hall, Retford in Nottinghamshire to visit Shaykh M I H Pirzada at Jamia Al-Karam.

Tariq Al-Hashimi was born in 1942 in Baghdad and is Husayni in lineage descending from Imam Musa al-Kazim (ra). He is an influential and active voice in the affairs and politics of Iraq and has suffered personal tragedies with the murders of his two brothers and sister in 2006. He remains devoted to his work and the cause of his faith and people. He was the former Secretary-General of the Iraqi Islamic Party and at present is the Vice President of Iraq.

Tariq Al-Hashimi’s motorcade arrived in the grounds of Jamia Al-Karam at approximately 13:20 in the afternoon. He was accompanied by his son Ziad Al-Hashimi. They were greeted and welcomed by Shaykh M I H Pirzada and the Vice Principal of Jamia Al-Karam, Bakhtyar H Pirzada. Tariq Al-Hashimi was taken to the Zia-ul-Ummat Suite where he was officially welcomed and introduced to Jamia Al-Karam. After about ten minutes, Shaykh Pirzada led him to the main prayer hall where all of the students and other guests welcomed him with a standing ovation.

VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE VISIT

The Dean of Jamia Al-Karam’s Dars Nizami faculty, Imam Gul Muhammad, delivered a short talk to the students emphasising knowledge and the pursuit of learning. He commented upon the real meaning of beneficial knowledge and non-beneficial knowledge elaborating upon the fact that science, mathematics, medicine, law, etc. are sciences of Islam along with tafsir, hadith, jurisprudence, etc. Following the call to prayer, Imam Gul Muhammad delivered the Friday Sermon in Arabic and then led the Friday Prayer.

Following the Friday Prayer, Bakhtyar Pirzada invited Tariq Al-Hashimi and Shaykh Pirzada to the stage and welcomed all guests. The session officially began with participation from Jamia Al-Karam’s Year 11 students. Hassan Zaffar recited verses from the Qur’an, which were translated by Muddassar Rashid and then Yaashar Butt sang a nasheed in English praising the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Bakhtyar Pirzada then formally welcomed Tariq Al-Hashimi saying, “It is indeed a great honour and privilege for Jamia Al-Karam to host Tariq Al-Hashimi who has taken time out of his busy schedule to be with us today. He is a leader of a people and a remarkable individual dedicated to his work and prepared to make personal sacrifices in order to achieve high objectives.” Bakhtyar Pirzada then continued and provided a brief description of the inspiring journey that Jamia Al-Karam has taken since 1985 which has been blessed with the vision and leadership of Shaykh Pirzada. He elaborated upon its development phases and high achievements in various areas. After a summary introduction to Jamia Al-Karam, Bakhtyar Pirzada then provided a brief introduction to Tariq Al-Hashimi and invited him to share his thoughts with the students and the audience.

Shaykh M I H Pirzada, Vice President Tariq Al-Hashimi and Bakhtyar H. Pirzada al-Azhari in the Zia-ul-Ummat Suite, Jamia Al-Karam (UK)

Tariq Al-Hashimi began by commenting upon how pleased he was to be at Jamia Al-Karam and how he had devoted the whole day to visit it and how he always likes to see ground work with his own eyes. In his talk, Tariq Al-Hashimi elaborated upon his deep admiration for the works, thinking and achievements of Jamia Al-Karam. He stated, “I have checked the record and the history of Jamia Al-Karam and I really admire the initiative taken by the honourable Principal of Jamia Al-Karam, M I H Pirzada. The initiative itself deserves attention from the Muslim leaders and deserves support as well.”

He further continued to comment upon why he has selected Jamia Al-Karam and why he has chosen to visit it saying, “Jamia Al-Karam is an educational institution which has the three core elements within it that I look for in any such institution. A high standard of education, the exercise of self-discipline and the teaching of Islam. As for the teaching of Islam, you can get this knowledge from the mosques and from your families; but, not in a systematic way and according to a set teaching programme. These three basic principles and these three requirements are being achieved by Jamia Al-Karam. The positive result of Jamia Al-Karam is already present.”

Advising the students of Jamia Al-Karam, Tariq Al-Hashimi said, “You are in Jamia Al-Karam, in an ideal situation. Take into consideration that many students in the Islamic world are still facing difficulties and circumstances of hardship – in Iraq, in Somalia and now even in Pakistan, unfortunately. You have a golden opportunity here to concentrate on the main target and the main objective. You are here as a student to get as much knowledge, discipline and teaching of Islam as possible. Make use of the days that you are spending in Jamia Al-Karam. Life is not in need of just education and advanced knowledge; but, din (i.e. religious knowledge) and dunya (i.e. worldly knowledge) in combination is the model of Islam. The integration of them both forms the Islamic model.”

Commenting upon his relationship with Jamia Al-Karam, Tariq Al-Hashimi said, “I will do my best in my capacity as Vice President to keep supporting Jamia Al-Karam. Jamia Al-Karam started from a small house and now we do have this compound. The one thousand mile motion started with one step. I would like to confirm my satisfaction to the role and the achievement of this Jamia and I wish the Principal, the staff, the teachers, my sons and daughters my best wishes and I hope that I will come back some time in the future to see more achievements, better results and this compound heading, in sha’ Allah, for a college or a university.”

Vice President Tariq Al-Hashimi writes in the Visitors Book in the Zia-ul-Ummat Suite, Jamia Al-Karam (UK)

After his address, on behalf of Shaykh Pirzada, Bakhtyar Pirzada thanked the Vice President for his address and visit and then Shaykh Pirzada led a collective prayer. Tariq Al-Hashimi then greeted the students and left the prayer hall. He was then taken on a brief tour of the Jamia Al-Karam complex and facilities where he saw its various departments including the Al-Karam Secondary School, the Dars Nizami faculty and the latest Girls College set up.

Following the tour, he was taken back to the Zia-ul-Ummat Suite where he and all members of his team had lunch with Shaykh Pirzada and senior members of Jamia Al-Karam staff. Following lunch, he met the teachers of Jamia Al-Karam and conversed with them. Following tea, both Tariq Al-Hashimi and Shaykh Pirzada exchanged gifts.

At this point, the motorcade made preparations to leave and soon after Shaykh Pirzada bid Tariq Al-Hashimi farewell and he left for London and departed from the grounds of Jamia Al-Karam. It was an interesting and inspiring day for all students and staff at Jamia Al-Karam as they hosted the Vice President of the Republic of Iraq, Tariq Al-Hashimi.

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