A Radiant, Inspiring and Historic Day at Madinat al-Zahra

Sunday 21 June 2026 marked a truly historic and memorable day in the journey of Madinat al-Zahra—one that will, by the grace of Allah, continue to inspire hearts for generations to come.

We were immensely honoured to welcome Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri to Madinat al-Zahra. Through his profound scholarly, intellectual and spiritual address, he enlightened and inspired all those present, filling hearts with the light of knowledge, the warmth of faith and renewed hope for the future.

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Many hundreds gathered to listen attentively as every word resonated deeply with the audience. This was far more than a speech; it was a heartfelt call to preserve the faith, identity and religious future of the generations to come.

"If You Want to Protect Your Children's Faith, Teach Them Urdu"

Addressing parents with great sincerity and concern, Shaykh-ul-Islam emphasised that one of the greatest responsibilities of Muslim families living in the West is to ensure that their children remain connected to the Urdu language.

He explained that Urdu serves as a vital bridge to the rich heritage of Islamic scholarship, authentic religious literature and our cultural identity. While English is the language of daily life and is acquired naturally, Urdu provides access to a vast body of classical and contemporary Islamic knowledge.

Shaykh-ul-Islam stated that, after Arabic, a significant proportion of Islamic scholarship is preserved in Urdu, Turkish and Persian. By comparison, authentic Islamic literature available in English remains relatively limited, particularly in the fields of orthodox Islamic belief and traditional scholarship.

He remarked:

"English is the language of children's everyday lives; they learn it naturally. But Urdu is the bridge that connects them to their religion, their culture and their intellectual heritage."

In an especially moving appeal to parents, he said:

"I say this with deep pain in my heart: if you do not seriously strive today to protect your children's faith, a time may come when, even with a lamp in hand, it will be difficult to find homes where faith remains."

Historic Announcement: Urdu Education to Become Mandatory

During his address, Shaykh-ul-Islam announced that Urdu language education will become compulsory throughout all Minhaj-ul-Quran centres. This landmark decision reflects the organisation's ongoing commitment to ensuring that future generations remain firmly connected to their religion, knowledge, language and Islamic identity.

A Special Tribute to Madinat al-Zahra

Shaykh-ul-Islam expressed his appreciation for the educational, spiritual and religious services that Madinat al-Zahra has provided and offered special prayers for its continued growth, success and acceptance in the sight of Allah Almighty.

He also prayed for every member of the team, every donor, volunteer, supporter and well-wisher who has contributed towards this noble project, encouraging them to continue supporting this blessed endeavour until its successful completion.

On this occasion, he also shared the glad tidings that, In shā' Allāh, the next phase of the Madinat al-Zahra project is expected to commence later in 2026, marking another significant milestone in the development of this major religious and educational institution.

Outstanding Public Participation

This spiritually uplifting gathering attracted attendees from far beyond Bradford. Hundreds of members, supporters and admirers of Shaykh-ul-Islam travelled from across Northern England and throughout the United Kingdom to participate in this historic occasion.

Both prayer halls at Madinat al-Zahra reached full capacity with men and women in attendance. Owing to the exceptional turnout, extensive outdoor arrangements were also made, including large display screens and a high-quality sound system, enabling everyone to benefit fully from the address.

May Allah Almighty grant Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri complete health, well-being, a long life and continued success in serving Islam.

May He make Madinat al-Zahra a beacon of knowledge, spirituality and guidance from which generations continue to benefit intellectually, spiritually and morally.

May Allah Almighty enable the message of peace, mercy and compassion promoted by Minhaj-ul-Quran to reach every corner of the world.