Published on Aug 21 2008 

On Saturday 23^rd August 2008 after Zuhr prayer at Darul Barakaat, Birmingham, the inaugural Sultan al Qalam Conference was held. The main purpose of the event was to raise awareness and membership for the team who, following the call of Huzur (atba) just a few years ago, responded to various allegations made against Islam in the media.

The opening session was presided over by Additional Mohtamim Isha’at Ali Khan Sahib, who outlined the birth and growth of the Sultan al Qalam team, along with the history of the title. After outlining the types of work the team has been involved, in Ali Sahib encouraged all those present to try and take as much as possible away from the event in order for the team to become nationwide and be as effective as possible.

 

Tahir Selby Sahib then gave a brief but motivational speech on ‘Jihad of the Pen’, reminding all those present on the tireless work of the Promised Messiah (as) in defending Islam, the Holy Prophet (saw) and the Holy Qur’an. Tahir Sahib advised those present of the need for literary response in order for this defence to continue, and spoke of how the number of articles and letters published this year was already double than published in 2007, even with months to spare. He repeated that only through the pen can minds be changed, using logic and wisdom, rather than the sword.

 

Waqar Ahmedi Sahib then outlined some of the letters and articles that had been published in newspapers across the country. Taking items from national newspapers such as the Independent and the Times to regional papers such as the Birmingham post, Waqar Sahib showed what work the Sultan al Qalam team had already taken on. Responses were shown on a variety of topics e.g. Halal slaughter methods, the Archbishop’s comments on Shariah Law, the Knighthood of Salman Rushdie and the notion that religion and science cannot mix. Waqar Sahib also gave some advice on how to have letters and even feature-length items published, emphasising that timing can be key in relation to answering ‘hot topics’.

 

The group then broke into workshop groups of 5, where each group were given an example of an allegation against Islam which needed a response. The group were given hands on experience of compiling a reply in the right manner, which they were later able to compare to the actual, Jamaat approved response that was published. This not only encouraged some fringe members of the team to get more involved, but also reassured those who were interested, but unsure how to, of the methods enabling almost anyone to give a correct, publishable response.

 

The final session followed, with Waqar Ahmedi Sahib and Ali Khan Sahib once again urging those to make the most of their new found experience in responding, and the need to delve deeper than national and regional newspapers in order for the general public’s view of Islam to be improved. The day was concluded with silent prayer and refreshments.

 

The total attendance was 25 Khuddam.