In what must surely be the largest gathering of Asian Women outside of the Indo-Pak Subcontinent, Victoria Park Masjid hosted a Conference on Seerat e Mustafa (SAW) on the Sunday 30th June.

The event was attended nationally and there were delegates from London, Croydon, Manchester, Birmingham, Dudley, Walsall, Bristol ,Oldham, Burnley, Rochdale and many other towns and cities. Altogether a record number of five thousand women attended.

The event began by Tilawat e Qur'an (Recitation of the Holy Qur'an) by Sister Tasleem followed by Na'at Sharif by Sisters Naseem and Sister Fatima Markham amongst others.

Speakers included Sister Fatima Markham who extolled the virtue of the Holy Prophet (SAW) and how he is the Mercy for the whole of Creation and invited all Muslims to follow the Prophetic Path. Sister Halima Saadia delivered a speech and told of the way Women could use technology to educate themselves. The Main speaker was Alima Muqaddas Rabbani Sahiba. She compared the time of the Prophet (SAW) and how the rights of Women were bestowed and guaranteed during this era.

She finished with the message that:

Hazaaron saal nargis apni pe noori par rooti hai

Bari mushkil sai hota hai tumannai deedawar paida

The event was hosted by Sr Badr Muneer Ali who is the President of Faizan e Islam Women's Associaton, UK.

Alima Muqaddas Rabbani was educated at Islamia University Karachi, Pakistan and is the student of countless Scholars including. She was Principal at Girls Islamic College, Lahore and Girls Islamic College Pakistan. She has resided in Denmark and the United Kingdom and has delivered lectures and speeches to many.

The event was held on the occasion of the Birth of the Prophet (SAW). Issues raised included the Message of Islam and how it relates to Women and their role in Society. The event allowed attendees to highlight the educational needs of Muslim women particularly in the United Kingdom where educational levels arguably need to be improved. The Conference allowed for facilitating ideas on the way forward for Muslim Women's activities and the exchanging of views.

Facilities at the event included stalls and refreshments and Alima Muqaddas thanked the Victoria Park Masjid Committee for kindly hosting the event.

Victoria Park Masjid is one of the largest mosques in the United Kingdom. It is a prestigious venue as it also hosts amongst other events, the annual International Na'at conference which sees attendees from all over the globe.

The event naturally lays waste to the misconception that Muslim Women particular of Pakistani descent are incapable or organising themselves especially to give them one voice. This Insha Allah is the beginning of bigger and better events.

Nazia Mehmood, a young attendee from Nottingham commented that this was the best Programme she had ever attended and that it was time that more events were organised for Muslim Women by Muslim Women themselves.

Faizan e Islam is actively working for Islamic revival. Since its establishment, Faizan e Islam has focused on spiritual and educational activities in order to advance the hearts and minds of Muslims. Faizan e Islam will be arranging for events which cater specifically for Women. For further information please contact Faizan e Islam at www.faizaneislam.org or telephone 0161 877 4827 (Manchester) or 07956802156 (London).