Madin prayer meet to launch year-long drive against drugs

Madin Academy is gearing up to host a mega prayer conference on Thursday in anticipation of ‘Lailathul Qadr’ or the night of decree. For Muslims all over the world, ‘Lailathul Qadr’ is a sacred night that falls during the last 10 days of Ramzan. Large sections anticipate that night on the 27^th eve of Ramzan.

Madin Academy Chairman Syed Ibrahim Khaleel Bukhari said that Thursday’s prayer congregation would be one of the largest outside of Makkah and Madina in Ramzan. “We have been holding this annual prayer congregation for over two decades marking the anniversary of the monthly swalat (prayer) meet,” said Mr. Bukhari.

Tens of thousands of people from different parts of the State are expected to reach Swalat Nagar on March 27. They will take a pledge against drugs, marking the launch of a year-long campaign against drugs being chalked out by Madin Academy.

“Every section in society should come forward to ward off the menace of drugs, which is destroying the youth faster that we could imagine. Together let us do whatever we can to salvage our youth from the dangers of drugs,” said Mr. Bukhari.

Madin Institute of Mental Health and Rehabilitation (MIMHAR) will lead the year-long campaign by instilling awareness among one lakh school and college students against drugs. Drug-free documents will be handed over to 10 lakh families. Apart from taking out a massive anti-drugs awareness rally covering 1,000 km, MIMHAR will offer free counselling and de-addiction helpline. Webinars will be organised for parents with the title ‘explore your children’.

Madin Academy started spiritual classes and a series of knowledge programmes and relief measures from March 2, when the holy month of Ramzan began. The prayer congregation will be the culmination of those programmes. “We expect scholars and spiritual leaders from different parts of the world,” said Mr. Bukhari.

Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama (AP faction) secretary Ponmala Abdul Khadir Musliar will inaugurate the day’s programmes on Thursday morning. It will be followed by a writing workshop for Islamic scholars.

The prayer sessions will begin at 3 p.m. and will go on till 3 a.m. the next day. All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama general secretary Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar will inaugurate the main session. Mr. Bukhari will deliver the keynote address.

A mass Iftar is being planned for those attending the congregation. “In all probability it will be the largest Iftar gathering in the country. We expect more than one lakh people to attend the Iftar,” said Khalid Saqafi, organising committee coordinator.

Elaborate arrangements are being made for the prayer meet. More than 100 helpline counters are being set up by linking the police, Fire and Rescue Services and medical wings. Mr. Saqafi said that suhoor (meal eaten before dawn) would be provided for those coming from distant places.