Hazrat Allama Pir Faiz-ul-Aqtab Siddiqi (b. 1967) is a British Muslim scholar, principal of the Hijaz College, National Convenor of the Muslim Action Committee (MAC), Secretary General of the International Muslims Organisation, Grand Blessed Guide of the Naqshbandi Hijazi Sufi Order and a barrister at law.
| Hazrat Allama Pir Faiz-ul-Aqtab Siddiqi | |
|---|---|
| Born | Faiz-ul-Aqtab Siddiqi July 12 1967 Lahore, Pakistan |
| Religious stance | Islam, Ahl ul-Sunna, Hanafi Madhab |
| Website | http://www.blessedsummit.com |
Family of Religious Scholars
Shaykh Faiz is the eldest son of the late Blessed Supreme Guide Shaykh Mohammad Abdul Wahab Siddiqi(RA) and the grandson of the great Blessed Supreme Guide Maulana Muhammad Umar Icharvi (RA). He studied under his father and many other great Shayukh of the time. Later he studied at Al-Azhar University in Egypt.[1]
Principle of Hijaz College
He is the principal and founding trustee of Hijaz College in Nuneaton, England, where he resides on campus.
Convenor of the Muslim Action Committee
The Shaykh convened the Muslim Action Committee, an umbrella organisation of Sunni and Shi'a Islamic scholars and Islamic political groups such as the Islamic Human Rights Commission and Hizb-ut-Tahrir to organise a demonstration against the repeated publications of the Danish Cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (SAAWS). The demonstration was the largest in Western Europe and the largest within the UK since the Rushdie Incident. The organisation works to combat attacks on Islamic religious symbols.[2]
Secretary General of the International Muslims Organisation
Shaykh Faiz is also Secretary General of the International Muslims Organisation. IMO works for the religious and social betterment of Muslims and has established offices in 23 countries with the aim of connecting with and helping communities world wide. An Islamic centre was constructed in Toronto under its auspices. Shaykh Faiz, as its president, commissioned the construction of the largest mosque in the Netherlands.[3] Shaykh Faiz convened a meeting of the IMO on 11th October 2001 to give a voice to Britain's Islamic scholars pertaining to the events of 9/11 and the impending war in Afganistan. Shaykh Faiz made the following statement about the dangers of civilian deaths:
"Today the West is trying to deal with Osama bin Laden, but if the situation is not rectified, you will be dealing with thousands of Osama bin Ladens, who throughout the confusion will want to repel and take the law into their own hands,"[4]
Profession as Barrister
He is a barrister under English and Welsh law, and as such is a member of the Lincoln's Inn.[5] He practises commercial and conflict law, limiting this to three days per month as his main focus is on social engineering programmes to rejuvenate Muslim communities and enhance their spiritual prosperity.
Champion of Muslim Unity
The Shaykh is a signatory to Charter 3:103 based on the verse of the Qur'aan which urges Muslims to remain united despite sectarian differences.[6]
Founder of Hijaz Community Trust
Shaykh Faiz is the founder of the Hijaz Community Trust which operates in various parts in the country to build social cohesion and spirituality in society. HCT also operates in a number of universities.[7][8]
Controversy over Shariah Courts in the UK
Shaykh Faiz was amongst the guests on the Law in Action programme aired on the 28th November 2006 which discussed the issue of Shariah Courts in the UK, which was covered by many newspapers and other media. Shaykh Faiz made the following observation about the issues:
"Because we follow the same process as any case of arbitration, our decisions are binding in English law. Unless our decisions are unreasonable, they are recognised by the High Court."
References
- ^ Pages 78-9,Ulama-e-Ahle Sunnah, Mashaikh & Sufis in UK, Khalid Athar, PPA Publications, Lahore ISBN: 969-8587-07-1
- ^ www.globalcivility.com
- ^ Pages 83-4,Ulama-e-Ahle Sunnah, Mashaikh & Sufis in UK, Khalid Athar, PPA Publications, Lahore ISBN: 969-8587-07-1
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1593365.stm
- ^ http://www.barristerweb.com/barrister.php?id=115
- ^ http://www.muslimedia.com/ARCHIVES/special-edition/seerah/seerah4.htm
- ^ http://www.hijazsoc.co.uk/
- ^ http://www.huddersfieldstudent.com/content/index.php?page=2998
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6190080.stm
External links
Blessed Summit Hijaz Society A Speech in Pennsylvania on Islam and Democracy Shaykh Faiz-ul-Aqtab reciting Darood-e-Taj in praise of the Prophet Muhammad (SAAWS)
