A hearty YAM to you all
Hope you all are in fine shape by the grace of MHI's blessings.
Since the time we got back from Islamabad, we were constantly thinking of all of you and striving to find some time to write the details of the events took place there with regard to MHI's padhramani.
On March 11, 2002 Afshan, I and my colleagues along with their spouses reached at the Bank's premises at 8:45 AM. The whole Building along with the adjoining areas were under Army's control with snifer dogs and commandos from March 10. The spouses went straight to the Hall where sitting arrangements were made for the invitees. MHI was scheduled to reach at 10:00 AM, guests were requested to be seated by 10:15 and President Gen Pervaiz Musharaf was to come at 10:30 AM. We were instructed that while being introduced to MHI and other dignitories, we do not have to offer our hand first unless MHI gives His hand first. This and other such norms had already been discussed to offer due respect to MHI. After giving some final touchings to the preparations, it was 9:45 AM when we stood at the Bank's entrance where we were scheduled to receive MHI.
MHI entered exactly at 10:00 AM in the premises of the complex where the Bank's Head office has been established at the ground floor. Out of the Board of Directors, seven were standing first and thereafter five of the senior management members of the Bank including myself were standing totalling only 12 members at the reception. The Chairman of Board of Directors of the Bank, Sultan Allana had to introduce us with MHI and Bank's President/CEO Hussain Tejany was accompanying him. When Mowla Bapa came, we stunned at our places not believing on our sights that we were looking at the Malik of our Deen and Duniya who was looking extremely pleased and smiling as always. Elegantly looking Begum Inara was ahead of MHI as she offered her hand first to us saying "Good morning" to everybody at the reception. When MHI came to shake his hand with us, there were such feelings that can not be explained in words. What I remember is that he was saying "Hello" at the time of introduction and handshake. When I recall those moments now, these looked to me of out of this world. After Begum Inara and MHI, Prince Amin Mohammad and couple of people from Aiglemont followed. Out of 12 of us standing, I was second last one. When MHI shook hand with the last person, the Finance Minister of Pakistan Shaukat Aziz entered inside. He thought that he had come 10 minutes earlier, therefore he excused when he entered. Sultan
Allana introduced him to MHI and they talked for about one minute standing there. I got the moments of my life since they were standing only about two feet's distance from me. Then MHI and Shaukat Aziz took a visit of the Bank's premises where few of the Bank's staffs were waiting to see a glimpse of MHI. It was little earlier than 10:30 when we came to know that President Musharaf is about to reach. At that time, MHI, Allana, Tejany and other dignitories went outside to receive the President. According to our schedule, the Board members and five of us also came out and stood at our set positions. Musharaf offered salam with his right hand that was near to Army salute to all who were there to receive him, he also looked to
be very happy. Upon introduction, he also shook hand with us. Thereafter, MHI requested the President to unveil the plaque, Gen Musharaf held MHI's arm and also took him for the plaque unveling ceremony. Both MHI and President performed the plaque unveiling and prayers were offered at that time. Then, MHI took the
President to a brief visit of the Bank when the Board of Directors and we went to the Hall and took our seats quietly as per our schedule. The hall was almost full with around 250 invitees waiting for MHI, Begum Inara, Prince Amin Mohammad, President Musharaf, and other dignitories. When they entered the hall, everybody stood from his seat in respect. In response, in His unique way, MHI turned to all seating directions shook his neck. President Musharaf again saluted to all those who stood respectfully. After Allana gave a welcome speech, MHI gave a very enlightning speech highlighting the efforts of the AKDN for poverty alleviation and improving quality of life of the people of Pakistan particularly. He said that the the root cause of terrorism is not religion, rather it lies in sense of isolation and deprivation.
Afterwards President Musharaf in his speech, praised MHI for taking part in the development of Pakistan. One thing to highlight out of President's speech is that at the beginning as well in the end, he said that he was personally grateful to His Highness for all His support and guidance that He has been extend to him from to time "in administring this country". This public statement of the President in acceptance of MHI's support to Pakistan and Gen Musharaf shocked all those who were present and simultaneously was a matter of pleasure and proud to us. Tejany offered vote of thanks to the distinguished guests and invitees.
Thereafter, guests were requested to adjacent hall for refreshments. We moved to the Bank's premises as per our schedule in anticipation of one more visit of MHI to the Bank. After about 40 minutes, MHI re-entered the Bank on request by Allana and Tejany to write his remarks in the Visitor's Book in the Board Room. I along with few of the Bank's staffs, was standing outside the Board Room. When MHI came out of the Board Room, He was extremely delighted and knowing that we were the Bank's staff came to us. He started showering His blessings offered prayers such as "May you get success in your work. May you serve the poor people ofPakistan". I could remember only these. At that moment, one of our non-Ismaili staff Haider Imad requested MHI for a photo with the staff. In his response, MHI was very forthcoming as He immediately accepted our request and stood with us for a group photo, which was not planned. Since it was not a planned photo, the space was getting short for 12-14 people standing there when MHI humourously told the photographter that "Please don't ask me to climb over the plants" kept nearby. MHI was in such a good mood that He showed the photographer how he could give proper coverage in the photo by telling him where he should stand to have a proper snap shot. Thereafter Mowla Bapa left the Bank's premises.
Afterwards, all of us gave Mubaraki to each other as it was just like Eid to all those who were present there. Both MHI and President wrote very enlightening and encouraging remarks in the Visitor's Book. Afshan also got tremendous opportunity to have Deedar Mubarak during refreshment session when we were in the Bank's premises. This was all about the inauguration ceremony of the Bank.
Next day (March 12), Afshan and I went to Serena Hotel Islamabad in night, which was also inaugurated a day earlier along with the Bank. The Hotel has exquisitely constructed and renovated. Its design, architecture, construction, decoration, and everything is a masterpiece to watch. After having soup at its"Zamana Restaurant" we decided to leave but the Hotel Security stopped us from leaving. Upon inquiry, they told that due to some VIP movement, the hotel doors would be opened after 10-15 minutes. They excused and requested us to wait for some time to get clearance. We saw that quiet a good number of people were either sitting or standing in the lounge. We immediately thought that this VIP could be Mowla Bapa and we were right. Soon Noor-e-Berhaq entered the lounge along with Begum Saheba, Prince Amin Mohammad, MD of the Serena Hotel Aziz Boolani, President of the National Council Akbar Pesnani and other dignitories. MHI kept talking to Boolani and others for few minutes and then he left. It was yet another blessing of Mowla that we had His Deedar out of our visit to the Hotel.
We would like to know that while being blessed with Deedar Mubarak, we rememberes all our family members, relatives, friends, and neighbours. We sought blessings from MHI for you all and all the Ismailies around the world.
In the end, Afshan, I and all the members of my family offer greatest gratitude to Mowla for giving us the life-time opportunity to have His Deedar Mubarak and other blessings, which we could not have thought. May
Mowla gives such oportunities to all of you and all the Ismailies living around the word! May Mowla keep all of us under His Noorani shadow and shower His barakaat on all of us. Ameen!
With warm regards.
Saleem and Afshan