Updated 7 October 2008

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
By Mohamed Abbas Panju of Ottowa, Canada (1st year student at IIPS)

It is narrated by the Blessed Prophet of Islam (SAW) that the righteous scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets. Keeping this tradition in mind, it was an honour for the IIPS to host various respected Ulema for Iftaar on the eve of 14th Ramadhan, 1429.

The programme was held at the IIPS Institute in Damascus and commenced with the arrival of the scholars from across Damascus. We were blessed with the opportunity to pray Salat-ul-Jama`ah behind Hujatul Islam Wal Muslimeen Syed Ali Al Hashimi manager of the Al Hakeem office and a renowned teacher in the Sayyedah Zainab area. Following Salat, the students and the scholars had a well organized dinner on the rooftop patio from where the minarets of Sayyedah Zainab`s (SA) shrine are visible.

The scholars in attendance included directors from various hawzas situated around Sayyedah Zainab (SA), representatives of our distinguished Marajae, and professors of the IIPS institute. This year, we were also privileged to have the company of Sheikh Abbas Ismail – the Assistant Secretary General for Islamic Education, and Haji Sarfaraz Jeraj of Hyderi Jamaat who is part of the Capacity Building team.

Following Iftaar on the eve of the 14th of Ramadhan, the scholars returned to the main lounge of the institute for tea and networking. It was an atmosphere encompassed with a unique spiritual sensation as all the scholars sat together and interacted with one other.

This blessed Iftar has now become an IIPS tradition. The visiting scholars are able to see the Institute, offer feedback and interact with staff and students respectively. A common sentiment amongst the guests was their admiration for the Institute’s rapid and active development.



Being part of the IIPS as a first year student, and on behalf of all students, it was definitely an amazing experience to be within the company of such pious scholars. Each one of them portrayed a high level of spirituality coupled with modesty which made it easy to interact with them during the event. Sheikh Qasim Assady, Arabic Module Coordinator, was also more than happy to give us an informal, but very interesting enlightenment on the origins and development of the ancient Arab language and civilization.

This event would surely not have been a success, had it not been for the impeccable planning of Sheikh Hussein Ravji (IIPS Manager), Sheikh Sami Bokhamseen (Educational Director), and the entire IIPS team. On behalf of all the students and myself, I would like to thank the institute for giving us an opportunity to meet all of these scholars, and of course, for a very delicious meal!

Among the many memories we have already built within the last fourteen days, and the many more which we will build in the future, this event will definitely stand out as one of the most unique.

Click here to read more about the Muballigheen Training Programme.

For further information, email iips@world-federation.org