Malappuram: Hundreds of thousands of Sunni believers attended the annual prayer congregation organized by Ma’din Academy at Swalath Nagar near here on Thursday. It was a spiritual voyage through the paths of love, harmony and solidarity seeking Almighty Allah’s grace in the blessed moments of the 27th night of the holy month of Ramadan.
The believers got themselves immersed in prayers and supplications to Allah, begging his forgiveness on the eve of the 27th day of Ramzan in anticipation of the Lailathul Qadir or the “night of decree” about which the Qur’an says that it is better than a thousand months. It was around 3 a.m on Firday when they left the venue.
The programme which began with a Hadith study session at Madin Grand Mosque early morning after the Fajr prayer lasted till Firday 3 a.m. Several thousands of people took part in a massive Iftar held on different grounds.
The mega prayer conference began soon after Taraveeh namaz. All Indian Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama general secretary Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar inaugurated the meet. He stressed the importance of unity among Muslims across the globe forgetting differences and reaching an agreement on common interests and aims. He urged prayers for the innocent Muslims tortured and tormented in Palestine and other parts of the world. Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama vice president Sayed Ali Bafaqi Thangal did the inaugural prayer.
Sayyid Ibraheemul Khaleelul Bukhari delivered the keynote address. He led various prayers like Thouba, Tahleel, Swalat, and Qatmul Quran. A mass pledge against terrorism, extremism, communalism and alcoholism led by Bukhari and special prayers for the ailing Palestinians and for the restoration of peace and calmness across the world were the highlights of the event.
The conference presented a motion which condemned Israel’s atrocities in Gaza. It demanded that the United Nations and other international organizations should immediately take necessary actions to stop the Zionist terrorism. Sayyid Ibraheemul Khaleelul Bukhari who appreciated the Government of India for backing anti-Israel vote and asked the government to do whatever possible to restore peace and calmness in Palestine.
More than a dozen grounds were prepared to accommodate the believers. A few of them were exclusively kept apart for women. Extensive parking arrangements were made. Over a lakh food packets were distributed for dinner.
A great number of distinguished personalities from various parts of the country and abroad participated in the program. Eminent scholars and other dignitaries from Australia, UK, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and from several Arab countries also graced the event.