TOPMuslims in Europe all live in liberal democratic societies with a freedom of professing and mobilizing religion. There seems to be an existence of no major obstacle in following the teaching of Islam, or from portraying ones true identity. In Britain for example, most Muslims (like any arrivals) reflect the political, ideological and territorial differences of the countries of emigration, as well as the variety of social, political and psychological forces that have impacted on their corporate lives in UK.
In other words different waves of Muslims has brought different ideas and expectations of what it means to be a Muslim. They are thus divided on the basis of national cultures, sectarianism and cultural pluralism. Most do not have any experience of living as minority communities. For others who have emigrated from urban areas and bazaar communities entangled with lack of education, there inevitable exists an inability to incorporate as well as face contemporary changing conditions and ideologies.
The main activity of the Sunni Razvi Society in Manchester, UK, has been the publication of Islamic literature and leaflets on various months of the Islamic (lunar) calendar. Living in Europe and surrounded by various materialistic philosophies, Muslim followers need to be reminded about the virtues of Islam as practiced by the beloved Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), the sacred nights, and the great days which formed the basis of our religion. Certain virtues are attached with specific Islamic months and special practices like certain prayers; fasting, wazaifs (recitals) and duah’s are required to gain the benefits and baraka. This is the main aim of the Manchester Center, to keep the followers in touch with Islam. Articles are published of Islamic months explaining in simple terms the great nights like Lailatul Qadr in Ramadaan, Meraj, Shab-e-Baraat, Yaum-e-Ashura explaining their significance.
Manchester is also the residence of His Eminence, Fakhrul Islam Allama al-Hajj Hafiz Maulana Muhammad Ibrahim Khushtar Siddiqui Qadiri Razvi where he resides with his beloved wife and family. In 1990 the Society in Manchester started with the publication of articles in Urdu language explaining the virtues of the Islamic months (lunar) to raise the awareness and highlighted the virtues of and activities related to each month. Since then various booklets have been published such as:
Unseen Knowledge of the Prophet (Ilm-e-Ghaib- English and French)
Eid amongst Eid (importance of Milad un-Nabi, English, French and Arabic)
Qaseeda-Miraj [great poem written on the occasion of Meraj by Alahazrat Imam Raza Khan (RA)]
Pocket size Halaal/Haraam booklet listing all non-permissible additives
Virtues and blessing of the Tenth of Muharram ( Ashura)
Virtues and blessings of the 8th Month of the Islamic Calendar
(Shab-e-Baraat-Night of Acquital)
Virtues and blessings of Rabi-ul-Akhir the Fourth Month of the Islamic Calendar (Death anniversary of the King of Baghdad)
These booklets have been a great help to Muslim shoppers in the UK and have encouraged them to stop buying non-Halaal products with Haraam additives in them. Many foreign students like the Malaysians who are studying in Manchester found the information the Society published very helpful in determining which groceries could be purchased. Some big name producers have approached the Sunni Razvi Society for information and have changed the additives they use and remarked their products with permissible additives. Due to popular demand the Urdu leaflets have been improved and upgraded to include an English section so that the information is available to all followers and the Society also mailed the other members in Europe and other cities of UK and sends regular updated information to them.
To target the younger generation, every year, on Milad-un-Nabi, a great celebration is organized in the city of Manchester. To celebrate this great day a procession starts from the Manchester Town Hall and marches through the city to the South Manchester Jaamia Mosque. The Society produces various stickers with "Eid-Milad-un-Nabi Mubarak" and distributed freely in various schools prior to the celebration. The aim is to reach out to the younger generation in the UK who are mostly unaware of this great day and encourage participation.
Until presently (1990) there was not an Islamic religious authority that all followers could adhere to. Hence the celebration of Eid and the beginning of Ramadaan was a major issue for Muslims in Europe. Different Islamic organizations could not get together to set up a "Moon sighting" committee and lack of knowledge amongst the Ummah led to the celebration of Eid and the start of Ramadaan on different days. The Society has for the last few years by way of mass distribution of leaflets approached the issue in a sensible way. Thus the Sunni Razvi Society in Europe main objective is education on this particular subject and only education can solve this problem.
The Society encouraged members to hold Qaseedah-e-Burdah (Poem of the Prophets Mantle) and regular Halqa Zikr in their homes. For the enthusiasts the Society prescribed the reading of Qaseedah-e-Burdah in an organized gathering where the praises of the beloved Holy Prophet gives the soul the enlightenment it requires. These programs are also recorded using audio and video equipment for the benefit of those who could not attend. The Qaseedah is held in very high esteem and reverence in all Islamic countries. The reciting and memorizing of it is considered to be source of great spiritual blessings.
The Society also re-invigorated the Qaseeda Meraj which is a poem written on the occasion of Meraj by the great Revivalist and Reformer of this Century, Alahazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (may Allah be pleased with him). Prof. G.D. Qureshi MA LL.B has translated this masterpiece of Alahazrat into English.
The Manchester branch is the apex of contact to the members of the Sunni Razvi Society in Europe for regular support and guidance and help with the production of posters and leaflets to advertise the various religious ceremonies and death anniversaries of Saints (Urs) for other European countries. In 1995 the Manchester branch realized the benefits of technology and decided to launch the Sunni Razvi Society on the Internet. A humble appeal was made for volunteers and financial assistance for this project, but unfortunately only a few followers put their names forward. Technology could help the propagation and education of the true Islam as taught the beloved Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), the Companions (RA) and other great Saints and servants of Islam. The idea was to use technology to increase younger membership of followers and the propagation of Islam into schools and colleges in UK and Europe.