‘Islam in Europe’ seminar features keynote speeches by President of WAAG UK, Shaykh M I H Pirzada, and Imam Muhammad Belal, who was also awarded for his recent scholarship from Al-Azhar University, Egypt.
On 17 November 2013, the United Kingdom Branch of the World Association for Al-Azhar Graduates (WAAG UK) joined ‘Probash Bangla Newspaper’ for a day of celebration and reflection as it hosted the important ‘Islam in Europe’ seminar in the North East of England at Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The seminar was two-fold with the first part focusing on honouring the achievements and services of the local Imam in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and the Muslim Prison Chaplain, Imam Muhammad Belal, who has tirelessly served the Muslims in the North East of England as an Imam, teacher and community leader. Imam Muhammad Belal had completed specific training and scholarship at Al-Azhar in Cairo at the beginning of the year which was organised by Her Majesty’s Prison Service, the University of Cambridge, British High Commission in Cairo and the World Association for Al-Azhar Graduates in Egypt (See http://www.waag-azhar.org.uk/training-at-al-azhar-for-imams-muslim-chaplains-of-hm-prison-service/)
Numerous dignitaries, community leaders, journalists, representatives of Her Majesty’s Prison Service and the Bangladeshi Embassy were present and who all gave their short remarks acknowledging the services in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The second part of the day was dedicated to an educational and reflective seminar on the topic of ‘Islam in Europe’ which was hosted by the Director of Probash UK Legal Advice and Editor of Probash Bangla Newspaper, Advocate A N M Essa. The seminar featured a lecture by Imam Muhammad Belal who identified the important role of Islam and the Muslims in Europe and also highlighted the challenges that face the community in Europe.
This was followed by the keynote address by the President of WAAG UK, Shaykh Muhammad Imdad Hussain Pirzada, who delivered a lecture highlighting Islam’s history in Europe and its contributions. He quoted from HRH The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles’ lecture of 1993 titled ‘Islam and the West’ in which he recognised the vast contribution of Islam to modern Europe and the role of Muslim Spain. Shaykh Pirzada further elaborated on the moderate message of Islam and the manner in which the Muslims must take part in the European society playing their role for the betterment of the whole society. He quoted from the Qur’anic story of Prophet Yusuf and how he contributed to the betterment of the Egyptian society as it faced the historical drought as mentioned in the Qur’an.
The seminar was a first of its kind in the North East and was received well by those who attended. For his services and recognition, Imam Muhammad Belal was presented with a shield by the Probash Bangla Newspaper.
In the end, the Vice President of WAAG UK, Bakhtyar H Pirzada al-Azhari, summarised the key points of Shaykh Pirzada’s lecture and also forwarded greetings on behalf Al-Azhar and the Grand Imam, Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb. He informed the attendees of the historical role of Al-Azhar for over a millennium in serving Islam and the Muslims and safeguarding the true message of moderation of Islam and also highlighted the significant role of Al-Azhar in the modern world. He also congratulated the audience on the news of the Grand Imam, Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb and Al-Azhar University being recognised as the most influential Muslim in the world in the recent Jordanian publication, ‘The Muslim 500’.
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