Annual conference commemorating the life, legacy and achievements of Al-Azhari scholar, Justice Shaykh Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari (1918-1998), held at Eaton Hall in Retford.
The 18th annual conference commemorating the life, legacy and achievements of the erudite Sufi and Al-Azhari scholar, Diya’ al-Ummat Justice Shaykh Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari (1918-1998), was held at Eaton Hall in Retford on Sunday 17th July 2016. Hundreds of Imams, scholars and leaders from around the UK and abroad attended the gathering with keynote speaker being Shaykh Sayyid Muhammad Hashmi Mian of Kichocha Sharif (India). The event was chaired by Pir Muhammad Amin Ul Hasnat Shah of Bhera Sharif (Pakistan) and the Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony in Pakistan. The conference was hosted by the WAAG UK President, Shaykh Muhammad Imdad Hussain Pirzada.
The annual conference attracts hundreds of attendees from the UK and Europe. Tribute was paid to the life and teachings of the Al-Azhari scholar who studied at Al-Azhar University from 1951 to 1954 with the scholars of Al-Azhar including Imam Muhammad Abu Zahrah, Dr Mustafa Shilbi, Dr Ahmad Zaki and Dr Anees Ibadah. After returning to Pakistan in 1954, Shaykh Karam Shah al-Azhari spent his entire life teaching and preaching Islam and maintaining the tradition of Al-Azhar in that part of the world.
In 2001, Al-Azhar University awarded its highest award of recognition, the prestigious ‘al-Dir’ al-Fakhri’ (Shield of Pride), to the life of Shaykh Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari. The award was presented by the then President of Al-Azhar University, Dr Ahmad Umar Hashim, to Shaykh Muhammad Amin Ul Hasnat Shah at the commemorative conference held at Jamia Al-Karam, UK.
The UK Branch of the World Association for Al-Azhar Graduates (WAAG UK), which is chaired internationally by the Grand Imam Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb Shaykh al-Azhar and which furthers the message of Al-Azhar and promotes the moderation (al-wasatiyyah) inherent within the faith of Islam is also situated at Jamia Al-Karam which is named after the Al-Azhari scholar.
