Shaheed Foundation Pakistan arranged a solemn and graceful congregation for paying tribute to the Lady of heavens and earth Umm-e-Abiha Sayyida-e-Fatima Zahra [Salaamullaah Alaiha ] Bint-e-Rasool-e-Khuda [Sallallahu Alaihi Waalihi Wassalam], here in Islamic Research Centre Lawn, Karachi on 20th April 2014 Sunday, marking the blessed birth anniversary of the revered Lady (Salamullaah Alaiha ).
Every year the day is commemorated across the world by the free-thinking and conscientious as the International Women's Day as recommended by Imam-e-Raahil Imam Khomeini [RA] whose own birthday too infact falls on the same day.
Ladies including daughters, sisters ,mothers and wives of Shohada participated in the program from all parts of the megapolis. The turn out comprised of families both from recent tragedies as well as earlier incidents.
The stage was beautifully decorated depicting the relevance of the birth anniversary celebrations [meelad] and the guests were showered with rose petals and were offered fragrant garlands - the idea was conceived to underscore the symbolic connection with the fragrant sacred Zikr of Khanwada-e-Risalat [Sallallahu Alaiha Wa Aalihi Wassalam], it is indeed this beautiful Zikr of Ahlul Bayt that freshens up and enlivens the minds and hearts of momineen and mominaat even in the toughest of times and re-kindles, a ray of hope.
In Shia muslim traditions , it has always been a historic glimmer of hope for centuries that re-affirms our allegiance to Farzand-e-Zahra, Hazrat-e-Baqiyatullah [atfs].
Ms.Fatima daughter of Shaheed Mohammad Raza formally began the program with the recitation of few verses from Holy Quran at 3:30 pm .It was a pleasant coincidence that the birth anniversary celebrations of Sayyida Fatima Zahra [Salaamullah Alaiha ] was started by a lady with the same name, Fatima.
Naat-e-Rasool-e-Maqbool [SAWW] was presented by Sis. Nusrat Zehra ,wife of Shaheed Dr. Asad Abbas Naqvi . She had won the Zone 4 naat competition to qualify for the slot.
Manqabat-Dar Shan-e-Aqdas-e-Ahlay Bayt [AS] was quickly followed and it was recited by Ms.Eeman Zehra daughter of Shaheed Iqbal Alam Zaidi , who had won Zone -3 manqabat competition in the qualifying phase.
The earlier winner of the declamation competition for the junior category , Ms.Azmat-e-Sakina daughter of Shaheed Fazal Abbas then came to express her valuable views on the topic " Seerat-e-Zahraa Salaamullah Alaiha,hamary liay mashal-e-raah hai [ Seerat-e-Fatema Zehra [SA] is a Beacon on our Way].
A small segment was staged in which children between 5 and 8 years from different Shohada families were invited on the stage . The children were asked interesting questions and were encouraged with gifts and prizes.
In order to convey the meanings of various titles [alqabaat] of the Lady of heavens and the earth ,a smartly turned out group of children presented a tableau which received deep commendation from the audience.
The winner of the declamation contest conducted for the Senior category before this program ,Ms. Urooj Zehra daughter of Shaheed Syed Mohammad Ahmed spoke effectively on the topic "Seerrat-e-Sayyida Fatima Zahra[SA] aur Hamaray Rasm o Rawaj".[The Seerat-e-Sayyida Fatima Zahra [SA] and Our Social Customs] which was indeed thought provoking as we really need to ponder as to where the ideals set by Sayyida-Fatima Zahra [SA] want us to lead and where are we actually heading.
Questions were asked from audience in a very absorbing and all inclusive manner so that all families' and especially children's interest remains sky high in the program .Decent gifts were awarded to encourage the participants.
Mehzar Zehra daughter of Shaheed Nazar Abbas , the brave child who survived an attack on them [herself and her martyred father ] led the cake-cutting ceremony for celebrating the auspicious occassion.
On this occassion two guest manqabat khwans Mohtarma Rabia Zaidi and Mohtarma Jamal Rizvi sahiba also presented their poetic tributes for Khanwada-e-Risalat [SAWW] in such a spell binding manner that the scorching heat of the day and the length of program didn't seem to become an impediment for the audience.
Khanum Tahira Fazili Sahiba who was the keynote speaker for the occassion presented her thoughts in her character-istic, insightful,comprehensive and effective manner ,summing up the lessons which we need to learn from the Lady of heavens and the earth[SA]. Students from Khanum's madressah presented their tribute in the form of 'tabashi'.
The august gathering was called off just before the maghrebain and concluded with the recitation of Dua-e-Wahdat.
The families were served with tabarruk packets.
Since these last days of april are particularly the beginning of a hot summer season in the southern port city of Karachi, it was remarkable that the program which had a longer duration compared to conventional gatherings went Alhamdulillah perfect as administratively speaking ample arrangement for cold water and sharbat right from the beginning of the program till the very end helped the participants, fight the tough weather.
Another effort was tremendous focus on encouraging children and ladies with gifts and prizes so that all children and everyone goes back home happily from the Mehfil of the Lady of heavens and the earth.
Alhamdulillaah it was heartening to see that the ladies wing of Shaheed Foundation Pakistan which comprises of the ladies from own families of working members of SFP as well as ladies from Khanwada-e-Shohada and Madaaris managed the program completely on their own with the administrative assistance of working members of Shaheed Foundation Pakistan.
Central Committee Shaheed Foundation Pakistan wholeheartedly thanks all Khanwada-e-Shohada for accepting the invitation and honouring us with their gracious presence. We earnestly hope and pray that Bibi Zehraa Salaamullaah Alaiha accepts this humble and imperfect step taken forward for her pleasure.
Central Committee would also like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the ladies wing of SFP ,all of our working brothers as well as other momineen o mominaat who voluntarily and un-tiringly helped in making the program successful in any manner what-so-ever and attained the pleasure of Khanwada-e-Shohada and Sayyida Fatima Zehra [Salaamullaah Alaiha] . It may not be out of place to remind all of us that we have a tradition, one each, both regarding attaining the pleasure of Khanwada-e-Shohada and attaining the pleasure of Sayyida Fatima Zahra [Salaamullaah Alaiha]as being equal to attaining the pleasure of Allaah [SWT].
May Allaah give us strength, courage, patience and forebearance to understand the message of Ahlul Bayt {AS} and grant us resolute will to follow in the footsteps of beloved martyrs till we join ranks with them.
Shaheed Mohsin Naqvi [RA] has said it perfectly in these lines.
Ye Fa Se Fehme Bashar Ka Hasil
Alif Se Alhamd ki Kiran Hain!
Ye Tuay se Tuaha ke Ghar ki Ronaq!
Ye Meem se Manzil-e-Mehan hain!
Ye Zay se Zeenat Zameen ki Hain!
Ye Hay se Hidayaton ka Hara Chaman Hain!
Ye Ray se Rahbar ,Rah-e-Wafaa ki!
Alif se Awwal Nasab Hai Inkaa!
Tabhi Tau naam Fatima Hai
Janab-e-Zahra Laqab Hai Inka..............
