IECRC Holds Fifth Annual Milad Shareef Conference

Pictures above: Glimpses of the Milad Shareef Conference organized by IECRC

 

Newark, CA: The Islamic Educational and Cultural Research Center (IECRC), a non-profit, non-political, 501(c)(3) community service organization based in Northern California, held its Fifth Annual Milad Shareef Conference dedicated to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (b. 570 CE, peace be upon him) on May 25, 2008 in Newark, CA at the Mehran Restaurant. The conference's theme was "Respecting Cultural Values: A Criterion for World Peace."
The event was a true reflection of multicultural display and intercultural communication as national and international scholars and community leaders shared their thoughts on this pertinent subject in the presence of a diverse crowd.
Founding Director of IECRC, Prof. Muhammed Ahmed Qadri, PhD, welcomed the attendees and visiting speakers via a recorded video address. He stated that the need of the time was for people to unite for peace and stand against extremism. He emphasized the common human bond shared across the world and the need to respect different cultures and religions.
Professor Qadri was introduced by Mr. Ayyaz Yousaf Qadri, Managing Director of IECRC, and primary organizer of the conference.
Prior to his speech, the conference began with the traditional recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Yousaf Zuberi. Young school children then recited praises of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), in Arabic and Urdu. These poems are recited throughout the world in numerous languages, and are a common thread in the various expressions of respect and love of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The final children's poetry presentation recited in various languages with children wearing costumes and holding flags from different countries, was meant to emphasize the importance of cross-cultural understanding.
Yahya Khan, 6, Abdarrahman Ayyaz, 8, and Abdullah Ayyaz, 10, also participated in the program by giving speeches about the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and famous Muslim Saints such as Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (may God have mercy on him). The children discussed some important teachings of these Saints such as the importance of giving respect to others.
Mr. Sharaaz Khan Qadri, Director of IECRC, was Master of Ceremonies and skillfully conducted the conference throughout. Ms. Syeda Zille Humma Ayyaz, Ms. Fatima Sharaaz, and Ms. Syeda Shagufta Ahmad each gave moving speeches on the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
They discussed the Prophet's excellent character, peace-loving nature, his respect for and promotion of the state of women in society. Also emphasized was the importance of the role that women can play in the well-being of the society and how women in history have contributed to their generation as businesswomen, scholars, and mothers. Some of the women that were mentioned contributed to the lives of the saints who served humanity without any distinction of race, color, religion, and language.
Qari Bashir Sialvi, a Muslim religious scholar from Woodland, California, talked about the promotion of the real message of Islam which is about establishing peace and promoting understanding between cultures.
Ms. Farzana Nayani, a training consultant and cross-cultural researcher, Los Angeles, California, informed the audience about the importance of intercultural communication and recounted in her speech a meeting with Karen Hughes, former Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Advisor to the President, about distinguishing between the words of tolerance and respect. Tolerance, she said, was about "putting up with", whereas respect engendered something above and beyond relating to a deeper understanding and appreciation of another.
The next speaker was Ms. Neelam Canto-Lugo, Director of Crossing Borders Building Bridges series of lectures and presentations at Yuba College, California, who delivered her speech about learning empathy, and the importance of words and their deeper meanings. She described the conflicting forces of globalism, generally as an economic reality, and compared it with nationalism or tribalism.
The strength of each force within a society is determined by its culture, and those aiming for world peace should aim to counteract each force through communication and understanding. She highlighted 10 steps towards peace building through empathy. She said that it was easy to sympathize but difficult to empathize. Sympathy meant feeling sorry for the other and empathy meant understanding the other.
Bryant Soto, a youth speaker from Belmont High School, recounted the Mexican-American experience in Islam. He stated that an emphasis on Sufism and the guiding principles of the Muslim saints were needed to move towards world peace.
Mr. Muhammad Bilal Qadri, from Sacramento, California, also briefly addressed the audience about his journey to Islam.
Chief Guest Mr. Charan Gill, Community Activist, Social Worker, and CEO of Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society from Vancouver, British Columbia, addressed the audience regarding practical efforts required for the performance of social work in a community. Mr. Gill recounted his moving life experiences and the direct influence they had in turning him into an activist for peace and for supporting the disadvantaged. He praised IECRC's mission for peace and tolerance throughout the world.
Ashraf Madraswala, an active community member in the San Jose area, discussed his social work experience for the past twenty years. Mr. Madraswala is currently running for a position on the San Jose City Council.
A common theme among all the speakers was the need for more discourse coupled with practical efforts for peace building, such as this important conference. Throughout the conference, the audience was treated to beautiful poetry recitations in Arabic, English, Urdu, Punjabi, and Wolof praising the Holy Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). IECRC holds its conference each year touching on important subjects of the day with worldwide impact.
Mr. Shakeel Rehman, Director, and Mr. Shaanawaz Khan, Treasurer from IECRC presented the achievements and services offered by IECRC. They also outlined the future goals of  the organization.
Then, a unique addition to such an event was introduced in the form of Qawwali, the traditional Muslim spiritual music performance prominent in the Indo-Pak subcontinent. Mr. Muhammed Shaan from Fiji Islands who lives in Tracy, California , presented several qawwalis while playing the harmonium. His partner, Mr. Irshad Ali, also from Fiji, played the tabla. Along with the performance, Mr. Sharaaz Khan Qadri briefly introduced the history of each Qawwali along with a presentation that displayed the meanings of the verses being recited. The Qawwali performance spiritually uplifted and delighted the audience. Dinner was served during and after the Qawwali presentation.
On this sublime occasion, the IECRC released a series of important lectures by Prof. Dr. Muhammed Ahmed Qadri about great personalities of peace, harmony, love, and tolerance, namely Maulana Rumi, Baba Fareed Ganj Shakr, and other important lectures on spirituality.
Mr. Naveed Agboatwala, President of IECRC, thanked the guest scholars, poetry reciters, the Qawwali group, volunteers who graciously donated their time and efforts, and the audience.
Mr. Ayyaz Yousaf then led the audience with praises to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and Mr. Naeem Fatany brought the evening to a conclusion with a deep supplication including prayers for peace and harmony. Around 400 people from the Greater Bay Area, and beyond attended the Milad Shareef.

 

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