On the occasion of World Book Day, Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, Secretary General of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, addressed an intellectual session organized at the Farid-e-Millat Research Institute in Model Town, Lahore. In his speech, he stated that World Book Day conveys the message that books reflect a nation's culture, heritage, economic, scientific, and intellectual progress—and above all, they are a person’s best friend.
Despite the revolution brought by information technology, the importance and value of books remain intact. “A person who befriends books is never alone,” he emphasized.
Khurram Nawaz Gandapur said that books play a crucial role in educating and nurturing members of society, and no community can deny their significance. Reading helps society rise above sectarianism, regionalism, and nationalism, and guides it toward values such as compassion, brotherhood, and spirituality.
The event was attended by Director of the Farid-e-Millat Research Institute, Rana Muhammad Farooq, along with Dr. Ajmal Ali Mujaddidi, Dr. Faizullah Baghdadi, Dr. Tajuddin Kalami, Dr. Afzal Qadri, Muhammad Ali Qadri, and others.
Khurram Nawaz Gandapur noted with concern that the culture of book reading in Pakistan is very limited, even though books play a vital role in the progress of both the country and its society. He urged government institutions to promote libraries and called on private organizations to contribute as well, so the habit of reading can be strengthened nationwide.
He further highlighted that the founder and patron-in-chief of Minhaj-ul-Quran, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, has authored over a thousand books. His works are available in Urdu, English, and Arabic, covering a wide range of subjects including the Qur’an, Hadith, Islamic law, Sufism, Seerah, Islamic philosophy, legal theory, and interfaith harmony.
"Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri has made significant contributions to Islamic scholarship and has played a vital role in promoting the culture of reading. Among his remarkable scholarly works is the eight-volume Qur’anic Encyclopedia, spanning 7,000 pages," he said.
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