Congregation: Religious leaders pray for peace, prosperity
The biggest public gathering since the defeat of militants in Swat came to an end on Friday amid prayers for peace and prosperity for the country.
A three-day ijtema held by Tablighi Jamaat in Barikot was attended by over 300,000 people despite heavy rainfall and cold weather.
In addition to a huge contingent of police, as many as 3,000 volunteers were present to maintain foolproof security on the occasion.
A number of religious leaders addressed the participants, while around 4,000 teams including several women’s delegations were formed to spread the message of Islam across the country.
“This is the first time that such a large number of people have assembled at one place after the restoration of peace. The only difference is that we are true followers of Islam who want to promote peace and goodwill,” said Ziaullah, a participant from Shangla district.
“This congregation is proof of religious harmony and sends a clear message to the world that we are peace-loving people,” said Sajjad Ahmad, another participant.
Hundreds of stalls were set up for participants, where goods were available at discounted prices.
Meanwhile, all markets remained closed across Swat district on Friday, as traders and shopkeepers thronged the Ijtema to attend the concluding prayers.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 28th, 2012.
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Tableeghi activity in Bannu very much agrees with the strong influence of fanatics speaking fine phrases .We are silently voting for them where ever they rally politically ignorant to their cause. This has been the covert exercise of universal franchise on perennial basis. Nazism evoked equally good sentiments in early days as evinced by readers here. Balga' is overcoming the present to cross into past. This aqua regia will dissolve armed divisions tomorrow. We are hurled into medieval Hejaz !
@A,S Tableegh i jamaath, teachs the same thing they say every thing starts from your self and goes to home and to the neibourhoods and cities, country and then the world.
Religion gives people hope, in a world torn apart by religion.
Mashallah
MashAllah .
Good show by the organizers and participants. But the facts remains that until people organize and participate in such coming together regularly in their localities to promote eradication of EVIL and promotion of VIRTUE in their localities self help, self reliance instead of leaving everything in the hands of the few . Leaving everything in the hands of a few has never worked and will never work. So the responsibilities lie with every soul to bring a change in their attitude of from remaining inactive and irresponsible citizens to becoming active thus responsible citizens. If and when people will start organizing coming together regularly and at the same time continuing to purging of their bad habits, the way will certainly open up for the people to see things better and react in very positive and thus constructive way. The understanding that needs to be drummed up should be that we alone, individually and collectively are responsible for bringing improvement in our moral and material matters and if we do not start such programs together, no one else will be able to do it for us. As we all can see that our apathy to such vitals matters affecting our lives and destiny is the reason why everything around us is going downhill at reckless speed.
MashAllah