Died 2009 | ||
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LIFE, POLITICS AND ROLE IN PAKISTAN MOVEMENT
Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor Qamar was born in 1916 in Pindi Umra, a remote village of Tehsil Shakargarh, District Gurdaspur (United India) is now part of Narowal district, Punjab, Pakistan. He belonged to a family of Zaildars and his family was considered to be one of the most notable and influential families of the area. He obtained his master's degree from Government College, Lahore in 1941 and later got a King’s Commission in the Royal Indian Navy. After serving there for a few years, he resigned and contested the Legislative Assembly Elections from Gurdaspur in 1946. He was elected as Member of the Assembly (MLA) and served for two terms. After the creation of Pakistan he was elected as Member of District Board Sialkot. In the early fifties, he did his LLB from Law College, Lahore and started practising as a lawyer. Currently his son Chaudhry Javed Qamar and his granddaughter Mohtarma Wajiha Akram are active and influential figures in Shakargarh politics. In token of his commitment to the cause of Pakistan and his participation in the Pakistan Movement, he was posthumously awarded the Gold Medal by the Pakistan Movement’s Worker’s Trust in 2010.
Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor Qamar met Allama Muhammad Iqbal on many occasions. He mentioned many times that he derived inspiration for ‘Ishq-e-Rasool’ from Allama Iqbal. The monumental work of Intikhab-e-Naat (the largest collection of Naat in Urdu) itself speaks for his devotion and love for Muhammad. In 1975, he established Madrissa Tadreesul Quran in his native village for the spread of Quranic education in the area. It is being run by a Trust named ‘Abdul Ghafoor Qamar Welfare Trust’. All the proceeds from Intikhab-e-Naat go to this Trust.
INTEKHAB-E-NAAT
The journey for the compilation of this work dates back to the days when Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor Qamar was a student of primary class at the school in his native village. He would recite “AZAN” daily at the only village mosque which was built by his late father. He was very good at studies and remembered Allama Iqbal`s poems by heart. He derived all the inspiration for “Ishq-e-Rasool" from Allama`s poetry. He used to recite “Mere Maula Bula Lo Madine Mujhe” and yearned for pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah-al-Munawwarah.
Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor Qamar had a passion for Naat from his childhood. He used to write down select verses of Urdu or Farsi Naat in his diary. The yard stick for this selection was depth of emotions, passion for Ishq-e-e Rasool and literary value of the poetry. Gradually, and over the years, it became a sizeable collection of “Naat”. It was almost in late seventies (about the time Madressa Tadreesul Quran was established), that he decided to give it the form of a book named “INTEKHAB-E-NAAT”. When the first volume of “INTEKHAB-E-NAAT” was published, it drew wide spread acclaim from all and sundry and those reading it wished him to continue this monumental work. During this period, he was also interviewed at the Pakistan Television. Mr. Qamar eventually decided to continue his work and finally, this gigantic task was completed in thirteen (13) large volumes. The entire exercise took about ten years to complete.
After printing of the book, it was equally challenging to distribute and spread it, in and outside Pakistan. By the grace of ALLAH, this noble task was also successfully accomplished. Presently, sets of “INTEKHAB-E-NAAT” are available in various bookstores as well as almost all the libraries of Pakistan which include schools, colleges, universities, municipal or public libraries etc. The book also illuminates the stalls of the American Congress Library which is the largest library in the world. And last but not the least; “INTEKHAB-E-NAAT” is now available on internet, having its own website.
During this long journey of Love, Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor Qamar received continuous and unreserved support, both moral and financial, from his sons and daughters, grand children, family and many Aashqan-e-Rasool, who didn’t want to public their names.
ABOUT ABDUL GHAFOOR QAMAR WELFARE TRUST
“Abdul Ghafoor Qamar Welfare Trust” was established in the Pindi Umra village in early 1990s with well-defined aims and objectives. The basic aim of the Trust was to provide financial support to the Madrissa Tadreesul Quran which is also located in the same village. The Trust is a self-sustaining organ and is being run by a Board of Trustees. No charity or outside donations are accepted for its running. However, family members (only) are encouraged to donate generously to this noble cause. In addition, all the proceeds from his work Intikhab-e-Naat go to the Trust.
MADRISSA TADREESUL QURAN
This Dini Madressa was established in village Pindi Umra, Tehsil Shakargarh, District Narowal, Punjab (Pakistan) in the year 1975 by Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor Qamar, who was born in this village in 1916.
The Madrissa (school) has arrangements for the teaching of Holy Quran and dissemination of religious education (Dars-e-Nizami) in this remote area. At present, it is housed in a modest building comprising six rooms, one large veranda and a spacious courtyard. Children (boys and girls) from the surrounding villages are attending the Madressa on a regular and residential basis. Adequate arrangements are available in the Madressa for their boarding and lodging. The teachers engaged for imparting religious education and teaching Qirat are dedicated, well educated in their subject and totally committed to the cause. They reside in the accommodation provided by the administration of the Madressa. An elegant mosque is situated adjacent to the Madressa and is being expanded in order to provide more space to the faithful.
Mr. Qamar died in 2009 at the age of 93