Plans are already being made to organise one of the biggest religious gatherings ever seen in the North West.

This Year the UK Ijtema is being held in Noor Hall, Noor St, Preston.

The Ladies only event will take place on Aug 29. The mens event takes place between 30 - 31 August.

Sunni Dawate Islami organises this Ijtema annually and the turn out is immense.

Large number of Ulemas (Islamic scholars), renowned personalities, mubalighs and fellow Muslims attend these congregations. Special arrangement are also made for the Muslim Sisters to attend and gain knowledge in a strict segregated environment.

The Sunni Dawate Islami movement aims to promote the propagation of the beliefs of Islam under the teaching of the sect of Ahle Sunnah Wa Jamaah.

It aims to light the beacon of love, admiration and affection of the Beloved Messenger (peace and blessings be upon them) in the hearts of each believer, and through this it endeavours to perfect the body, soul and mind by moulding each Muslim's life according to the Quran and Sunnah.

The most important aspect of Sunni Dawate Islami is the Islamic Educational Visits (Dawra). The Islamic Brothers (Mubalighs) visit other towns, where they share, learn and teach the Sunnah of the Beloved Messenger (peace and blessings be upon them) to other brothers in Islam.

Many brothers participate in these visits every month. These visits also traverse to foreign countries so that the message of Quran and Sunnah of the Beloved Messenger (peace and blessings be upon them) is propagated throughout the world.

Each year Sunni Dawate Islami organises various international Ijtema's around the world the biggest of which takes place in Mumbai at Azaad Medaan.

We will have further information on the Ijtema taking place in Preston, in the August issue of Asian Image and details on a proposed Blackburn event.