Raiwind Markaz (in Punjabi مرکز رائےونڈ ) is a complex consisting of a main mosque, Islamic
madrasa
Madrasa (, also , ; Arabic: مدرسة , pl. , ) is the Arabic word for any type of educational institution, secular or religious (of any religion), whether for elementary instruction or higher learning. The word is variously transliterated '' ...
, and residential areas located in
Raiwind
Raiwind ( Punjabi & ur, ) is a town (now promoted to Tehsil Head Quarter) located within union council 149 (Dholanwal) in Allama Iqbal Town of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The town serves as the headquarters of Tablighi Jamaat and hosts the annua ...
city, near
Lahore
Lahore ( ; pnb, ; ur, ) is the second most populous city in Pakistan after Karachi and 26th most populous city in the world, with a population of over 13 million. It is the capital of the province of Punjab where it is the largest city. ...
,
Pakistan
Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...
, and is the home of the
Tablighi Jamaat
Tablighi Jamaat (, also translated as "propagation party" or "preaching party")
is a transnational Deobandi Islamic missionary movement
that focuses on exhorting Muslims to be more religiously observant
and encouraging fellow members t ...
in
Pakistan
Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...
. It attracts many people to its
yearly gathering, including international visitors.
Annual gathering (Ijtema)
It is hosted in the Ijitimah Gah near to the Markaz (5 km from Markaz). It is among the biggest gatherings of Muslims in Pakistan in a single location. More than 2 million Muslims from Pakistan and all over the world come to this place, which is planned and managed by the Raiwind Markaz. Because of large number of people participating it is divided now into four parts, each year two parts and remaining two parts next year will be held, each part lasting three days, and on the last day Special Prayer is held. There is no restriction for foreigners to come to any part of the Raiwind Markaz Ijtima. Scholars of different countries are invited on these days.
The
ijtema
Ijtema ( ar, اجتماع) is an Islamic congregation organised by Islamic organisations in association with millions of Muslims. It is an essential part of the Tablighi Jamaat around the world as it plays a significant role on the lives of Musli ...
is for all sects of Muslims. The only purpose of this annual gathering is to make one ummah and to strongly believe in Allah (الله دی ذات نال سب کجھ ہوں دا یقین ) "Allah di zaat naal sub kujh hon da yaqqeen". The great Muslim scholars from
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
and
Pakistan
Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...
as well as from other parts of the Muslim world also deliver speeches. There is a separate place for foreigners who have a translator alongside them.
The setup of this institution is credited to
Muhammad Abdul Wahab and his associates.
References
{{Lahore-stub
Mosques in Lahore
Mosques completed in 2006
Tablighi Jamaat