ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The universal Chehlum of those who kissed martyrdom and died in the earthquake disaster was observed throughout the country on Friday 25 Nov in line with the announcement of Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi.

Quran Khwani, pray and condolence gatherings, and Majalis-e-Taraheem were organised on this occasion. Khutaba, and prayer leaders in their address at Friday congregations highlighted the topic of natural disasters in detail. Special prays were offered for those who died or martyred in the October 8 earthquake without any discrimination and prayed for the early recovery of the injured.

In Islamabad, TNFJ Central Secretary Information Syed Qamar Haider Zaidi addressed the main gathering of the universal Chehlum at Jamia Masjid Jafariya. He said the whole nation shares the grief over the bereaved families. Terming the National Volunteer Movement initiated by the government to accelerate the rehabilitation of earthquake affected, he announced that workers of TNFJ and its subordinate bodies would fully participate in it so as to accelerate the rehabilitation activities.

He appealed the philanthropists to help the earthquake victims with an open heart and deposit their donations with the President’s Relief Fund or deposit the same in the nearby mosque, Imambargah or deposit it with the religious institutions of their respective schools of thought or these donations could also be deposited in the office of TNFJ Relief Committee directly.

Prof. Ch. Ghulam Abbas in his address said the example of the earthly disaster that hit Pakistan on October 8 is seldom witnessed in the human history in which lakhs (hundreds of thousands) of people including school children died along with their teachers while lakhs of them injured besides making many women as widows and children as orphans. He said the whole nation rose to the occasion to help and rehabilitate the affected while the armed forces, religious, political and social organisations and institutions by extending all out help to them have proved that we share our grieves and happiness.

Moreover, he said, foreign countries and NGOs also played an important role in relief work that is laudable. Despite piling up of huge amounts from all over the world, more help is still needed. After the successful holding of Donors’ Conference, there is also need to make it result-oriented.

Imam-e-Juma and Jamaat Jamia Masjid Jafariya Hojjatul Islam Allama Sadiqi in his address paid rich tributes to Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Hamid Moosavi for his announcement to observe universal Chehlum of those who were martyred or died in the earthquake. He said it is not a matter of any sect or school of thought rather that of whole humanity and we share the grief of all bereaved families without any discrimination. Collective dua and Fateha Khwani was also offered on this occasion. Prof. Syed Muzammil Hussain Naqvi also addressed the gathering.

Quran Khwani and Majlis-e-Aza were also held at Qasr-e-Abu Talib Rawalpindi for those who died or martyred in the earthquake. Allama Syed Mohsin Al-Hussaini in his address said the quake disaster is, no doubt, unforgettable and testing moment and the whole world has continued their practical efforts for rehabilitation and help for the affected, and all schools of thought were struggling to provide peace to their aggrieved brethren in this hour of trial without any discrimination which is laudable.

He said as per saying of Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Hamid Moosavi, all those who lost their life in earthquake were the parts of our body, and there is a lot to do for their surviving near and dear ones besides sharing their grief. He said problems are also increasing with the increase in cold, therefore, all out struggle should be made that the deserving people are not deprived of their due in any case while protection of their honour and dignity is binding on all countrymen.

He said it is to be ensured that the relations of the earthquake victims do not lose contact from each other and the tribes and families they belong to should be given complete protection because families are the identity of a human being.

Syed Naseer Hussain Sabzwari and Zakir Fida Hussain Jafri also addressed the gathering.

Allama Abu Jafar Naqvi, Convener of the TNFJ Provincial Council Punjab Committee for Universal Chehlum, while addressing the Majlis-e-Chehlum at Jamia Masjid Ahle Bait Gaddowal said, the destruction as a result of tragic earthquake was a tough test in which the whole nation has proved through their firmness and spirit of sacrifice that Maktab-e-Tashayyo could confront any test by becoming a concrete wall at every level.

In Peshawar, Imam Juma and Jamaat Allama Ghulam Ali Zahid, Allama Abul Hassan Taqi at Darbar Sakhi Shah Piyara Chuhr Harpal, Allama Saqlain Ali Bokhari at Jamia Masjid Shah Chan Chiragh, Al-Haj Ghulam Murtaza Chauhan at Imambargah Zainul Abideen, Allama Zawwar Hussain Madni at Haideria Masjid addressed the universal Chehlum Majalis, condolence programmes and offered Fateha Khwani.

Meanwhile, according to reports reaching at TNFJ headquarters, Quran Khwani, Majalis-e-Taraheem and pray congregations in connection with the universal Chehlum of earthquake victims were organised by TNFJ, other religious organisations, and religious institutions in America, Britain, Arab States, and other parts of the world.

People belonging to different schools of thought participated in these programmes in a large number and offered prays for those were martyred or died in earthquake without any discrimination.