Events Gallery

A gathering of intellectuals, journalists, scholars and businessmen paid glowing tributes to the Late Qazi Hussain Ahmed, former Emir Jamaat-e-Islami, in a special program held in his memory at the campus of the University of Management and Technology (UMT), Lahore. The program was organized by UMT in collaboration with Pakistan Business Forum and AFAQ.

Eulogizing the services rendered by the respected religious scholar, politician and advocate of the unity of the Muslim Ummah, the speakers were unanimous in declaring that the vacuum left by the demise of Qazi sahib will never be filled. The speakers included Dr Shabbir Ahmed Mansoori, Asif Luqman Qazi, Mujeeb-ur-Rham Shami, Orya Maqbool Jan, Zaeem Qadri, Dr Hasan Sohaib Murad, Shahid Warsi and Amir-ul-Azeem.

Dr Hasan Sohaib Murad, Rector UMT, said that Qazi Sahib was only human but he was unique. He belonged to a family of ulema; he was like the sun that rises every morning to dispel darkness. He said that Qazi Sahib was the rock that never got broken even when it was hit by waves. He was the lighthouse that gave direction to all who were illuminated by its light. Dr Hasan said that we may have buried Qazi Sahib’s body but his influence and lasting contributions to the cause of Islam will always be remembered.

Dr Hasan said that it was Qazi Sahib who gave new life to the cause of the unity of Muslim Ummah. He gave voice to the sufferings of the Kashmiri Muslims. He raised his voice against oppression of Muslims anywhere in the world. Dr Hasan said that Qazi Sahib was a leader in the real sense of the word. He saw what others could not foresee. He was the personification of goodness and his vision astounding.

Dr Shabbir Ahmed Mansoori, Director Maududi Academy, said that the uniqueness of Qazi Sahib was that every person felt a personal loss in his death. He said that Qazi Sahib was the personification of both jehad and ijtehad. He was a great orator and could sway people by the force of his argument.

Amir-ul-Azeem, said that Qazi Hussain Ahmed joined the Jamaat-e-Islami in 1970 and worked tirelessly for its progress. He went from village to village, door to door, met people from all walks of life. So it is no chance that he became the emir of the Jamaat-e-Islami after 17 years of service. His passion and commitment to the Jamaat-e-Islami was well known and acknowledged by every single worker of the Jamaat. Reminiscing about the vision of the Late Qazi Sahib, Amir-ul-Azeem said that he began working on Central Asia way back in the seventies and produced Russian translations of Islamic literature. No one except Qazi Sahib could have foreseen the significance that these areas would assume towards the close of the century. He said that he alone foresaw how the stage was being set for a unipolar world in the guise of crisis after crisis such as the Gulf War, Iraqi occupation and the Afghan war.

Shahid Warsi, Executive Director, AFAQ, said that funeral prayers were offered for Qazi Sahib in 35 countries and the Imam-e-Kaaba himself offered prayers for him. Only a leader with a global status can have such a following. Shahid Warsi said that Qazi Sahib visited AFAQ in 2006 and showed keen interest in research and educational projects undertaken by AFAQ. He was opposed to the rising number of educational institutions offering secular education in Pakistan and wanted to change this state of affairs.

Renowned journalist Mujib-ur-Rahman Shami, Chief Editor, Pakistan, said that he met Qazi Sahib way back in 1972 through a mutual friend. Even then, Qazi Sahib displayed a special interest in the possible turn of events in Central Asia and Afghanistan. He said that Qazi Sahib was a workaholic; it seems that he never rested and his efforts had a global impact. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Tehrik-e-Islami in Afghanistan. Elaborating Qazi Sahib’s contribution in the development of the Jamaat in Pakistan, he said that he ensured a distinct status to it on the political scene. His efforts were crucial in the formation of the Milli Yak Jehti Council, the MMA and the IJI. After Maulana Maududi, he was the most well known face of the Jamaat and was a household name.

Zaeem Qardi, MPA, Muslim League (N), said that it is a great honor for him to say a few words in reference to the memory of a man who belonged to all Pakistanis, irrespective of political affiliation. He said that Qazi Sahib had the gift of convincing people through the sheer force of logic. He took this opportunity to convey a special message of condolence from Nawaz Sharif.

Asif Luqman Qazi, son of the late Qazi Hussain Ahmed, said that the greatest service that educational institutions like UMT can render is to educate the young generation about the characteristics that made Qazi Sahib so great. The mission of educational institutions should be to nurture leaders whose hearts beat for the Ummah. He said that his lasting memories of his father are that of a person who loved humanity, who wanted to unite the Muslim Ummah, who devoted every ounce of his energy towards this cause, who gave hope to others, in the end, departed for the hereafter as a man who has fulfilled his mission in life.

In his tribute to Qazi Sahib, renowned columnist Orya Maqbool Jan said that he was a graceful presence on the Pakistani political scene. An exceptionally sincere person dedicated to the resurgence of Islam and progress of Pakistan, Qazi Sahib was an ardent admirer of the philosophy and teaching of Allama Iqbal.

The graceful ceremony concluded on a short documentary on the life of the Late Qazi Hussain Ahmed and special dua.