 |
| Fatima Shah, Hajra Shah and Zahra Shah Bokhari |
Among the unlimited blessings that Almighty Allah showers the humankind with, the one most celebrated is an individual's own house. The happiness then goes on multiplying, alongwith the number of family, friends and well wishers, who are there to share the joys and honour the place with their presence.
A house is made of brick and stone
but a home is made of love alone;
''Al-Makhdoom'' is the new residence of Dr. Munir Hussain Shah, Mrs. Fariha Munir and their three beautiful daughters, Fatima Shah, Zahra Shah and Hajra Shah. Although, this house was ready for a long time but the family was slow, in moving into this place, as the kids were too attached to rest of their family and to their grandparents and were not ready to leave them. Before shifting here, they lived in Munir's family house for twenty two years. Which was also a big, beautiful house, centrally located in the city. As God had even bigger and better things planned for them, eventually they had to give in and they moved here in Dec 2015. Since then, they were looking for opportunity for inviting their friends and family to a gathering at their new place. Finally, the visit of one cherished family friend Mrs. Farrah Khawar Qureshi from America, provided them a reason to arrange such a function. They really wanted to honour the presence of this lovely lady (who had been an exceptional hostess to them on their several visits to America) and two of her aunts Mrs. Shahida Ahmad and Mrs. Shamim Akhtar Chaudhary. It was supposed to be a simple lunch but Fariha Munir, the lady of the house had solemnly pledged that the first party she will ever arrange in this house, will be in the name of Allah and His prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). So instead of ''house warming'', she preferred to call it ''Bismi-Allah'' as a sign of true gratitude to Almighty. And at the same time, she decided to keep it light, instead of shaping it to a strict religious gathering. So, in preference to some scholar or senior performer for recitation of Quran and naat, she invited girls from SOS village (a cause so dear to entire family). On 19th March, Arabic styled gazebos in Black and White were set up in the vast front lawn of Al-Makhdoom. Professionally made Black and White balloon arches at the entrances and flower arrangements everywhere, reflected that the little girls of the family did contribute their ideas in decorating the place. Keeping up the spirit of religious gatherings like milaad, tables were topped up with candies and saunf saparis. Although, the month of March remained very pleasant this year, with continuous rains, but on that day Sun also showed of, raising the temperature a little, making it a ''house warming'' in true sense. To keep it cool, house-maids remained on their toes, serving juices to the guests. As Fariha has a great reputation of having best of best as her friends. All the beautiful and happening ladies of the city of saints had gathered there to shower their friend with love and priceless gifts. Each and every guest was precious, well loved and valued. The program started with tilawat-e-Quran by Mehrunisa from SOS. Then, Riffat and her friend, also from SOS, recited poems in praise of Allah Almighty and the holy prophet, Muhammed (peace be upon him). At the end, a prayer was offered for the owners of the house, good fortune of their daughters and for blessing, all those present in the gathering. Again, the selection for this assignment was offbeat. In place of a a regular religious scholar, this special task was assigned to the special guest of honour, Mrs. Farrah Khawar Qureshi. A lady truly blessed, as she remains actively involved, in mosques and Islamic centre in Florida and now, also in Georgia. And she did a splendid job with the prayer. She kept it easy, short and to the point. Hats off to her perfection and a lot of thankfs on part of her hosts that she accepted their request. At the end, the lunch was served. It was scrumptious and sumptuous. Menu was mainly based on desi cuisine. The guests loved, live barbecue tikka and kebabs, fish, spinach, along with other delicacies. For this, the credit only goes to the man of the house, Dr. Munir Hussain Shah. Actually the entire show was his, but he selected his wife and daughters to host it. A thorough gentleman indeed. A loving father and a nice husband. We request you all to remember this family in your prayers. That the new house they have moved to, should bring lots of good luck and happiness for their entire family. They promise, they return, all the wishes and prayers in the same way, for those who pray for them. God bless them and you all.  |
| The guest of honour Mrs. Farah Khawar Qureshi in the middle with her aunts Shahida and Shamim at sides |
 |
| Mrs. Aziza Naseem Ahmed Khan Pitafi |
 |
| Ittrat Bano, Farrah Faisal and Masooma Sibtain |
 |
| Hania Shahid, Zahra Bassat, Mahnaz Amir Sheikh |
 |
| Sadia Yaqoob, Mahnaz Farid Sheikh, Rameen Anees |
 |
| The special guests from SOS village, Riffat on Right with her friends |
 |
| Romana Tanveer and Beena Younas |
 |
| Shahida, Farah Khawar Qureshi, Shamim and Aarfa Waqar |
 |
| Mehriya Omer, Mala Ahsan, Beena Younas, Rabia Bosan and Yasmin Durrani |
 |
| Rabia, Yasmin, Uzma Burana, Ayesha Farzana Khwaja |
 |
| Farrah Ilyass and Misbah Ali |
 |
| Farah Saqib, Dr. Huma Ather, Naema Batool Mehdi |
 |
| The guest of honor Farah Khawar Qureshi, getting ready for the prayer |
 |
| Sidra Bakhtawar, Mala Ahsan, Rabia Bossan |
 |
| Dr. Huma Ather and Mahnaz Amir Sheikh |
 |
| Hania Shahid, Zahra Bassat and Farrah Faisal |
 |
| Uzma Burana and Yasmin Durrani |
 |
| Farah Khwaja and Ayesha Durrani |
 |
| Ittrat Bano and Naema Mehdi |
 | ||
Masooma Sibtain and Aasma Suleman
|
 |
| Arabic themed set up in Black and White |
 |
| Black and White themed balloon arches |
 |
| Dr. Munir Hussain Shah, the man of the house, Al-Makhdoom |
Comments