“London Diaries” returns to Makkah in an evening of loyalty that brings together knowledge and memory
Makkah Al-Mukarramah witnessed a distinguished scientific and cultural evening, hosted by His Excellency Prof. Dr. Bakri Matooq Assas, former President of Um Al-Qura University, in celebration of the publication of a number of works by Prof. Dr. Faid Mohammed Said, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Muslims of Europe, notably his new book “London Diaries.” The event brought together a select group of scientific, intellectual, and media personalities, where culture was intertwined with loyalty and human memories.
The attendees included His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Saleh bin Taher Banten, the former Minister of Hajj and Umrah, and His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Saud Al-Shurim, Imam and Khatib of the Grand Mosque. Also participating in the evening were Mr. Farid Mukhlis, Chief Broadcaster of Jeddah Radio, Mr. Saud Mutlaq Al-Thiyabi, a well-known voice on “Nidaa Al-Islam” radio, and Mr. Abdullah Al-Zahrani, Editor-in-Chief of the “Makkah Online” electronic newspaper, alongside a number of prominent figures from Mecca and scholars, intellectuals, and media professionals.
The meeting acquired a special humanitarian dimension in the presence of His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Saud Al-Shurim, as the meeting brought back to Dr. Faid Mohammed Said a cherished memory associated with his late father, who was very fond of Sheikh Al-Shurim’s recitation and was keen to listen to it on “Nidaa Al-Islam” radio.
Dr. Faid explained that Sheikh Al-Shurim’s voice was, for him, not merely the voice of a reciter he knew from the mihrab of the Grand Mosque, but that it had been associated for many years with the image of his father listening to that recitation with serenity and joy on his face, until the Sheikh’s recitation became a part of his family memory and his memories with his father.
The evening was even more beautiful with the presence of Sheikh Saud Al-Shurim in the same gathering with Mr. Saud Mutlaq Al-Thiyabi, one of the voices known to listeners through the “Nidaa Al-Islam” radio; the radio that brought the sounds of Makkah and the recitations of the Haram into the family home. London Diaries in Makkah.pdf
Expressing that moment, Dr. Faid said:
“When I sat next to Sheikh Saud Al-Shurim, I remembered my father listening to his recitation, and I remembered the joy I could see on his face. A single question crossed my mind: What if he could see me now? How happy he would have been to see his son in Makkah, close to the Sacred House of God, sitting beside the man whose recitation he always loved.”
Dr. Faid praised the broad knowledge, deep culture and humility during his meeting with Sheikh Saud Al-Shurim, affirming that the meeting allowed him to closely experience the scholarly, intellectual and humanitarian aspects of His Eminence, alongside the image familiar to millions of him as an Imam, reciter, and preacher of the Grand Mosque. London Diaries in Makkah.pdf
The evening also witnessed a special celebration of the book “London Diaries”, which His Excellency Dr. Bakri Assas graciously wrote the introduction. The initial seed of the book, however, goes back to Mr. Abdullah Al-Zahrani, Editor-in-Chief of the “Makkah Online” newspaper, who suggested that Dr. Faid write a series of articles about his experiences in London, before the idea expanded and the articles and experiences accumulated until they culminated in an independent book.
Dr. Faid described this evening as representing for him the “true moral inauguration” of the book “The London Diaries”, as the book returned to Mecca and gathered around it were those who had an impact on its beginning and trajectory: the originator of the idea, Mr. Abdullah Al-Zahrani, His Excellency Dr. Bakri Assas who wrote its introduction, and a select group of scholars, intellectuals, and media figures. London Diaries in Makkah.pdf
He said that the “London Diaries” seemed that night as if it had returned to the starting point. Some of its threads had begun as an idea in Makkah, going on to accompany him through the streets, gatherings, and experiences of London, before returning to Mecca as a printed book in the hands of those who contributed to its birth and encouragement.
During the evening, Dr. Faid also presented his book “Science and Knowledge in Islamic Civilization” alongside his book on Hajj, which His Excellency Dr. Bakri Assas had previously written the introduction for. Dr. Faid noted that the gathering of these works gave the evening a special significance, as different stages of his scientific and cultural experience came together in one place. London Diaries in Makkah.pdf
In a gesture of loyalty and appreciation, Prof. Dr. Faid Mohammed Said presented an honorary shield to His Excellency Prof. Dr. Bakri Matooq Assas, in appreciation of his scientific and academic career, and in acknowledgment of his service to science and education, as well as the encouragement and care that Dr. Faid and his writings have received over the years.
Dr. Faid expressed his gratitude to His Excellency Dr. Bakri Assas for his generous hospitality and for gathering together this distinguished group of Makkah’s figures. He also appreciated the presence of His Excellency Dr. Muhammed Saleh bin Taher Bintan, the esteemed Sheikh Dr. Saud Al-Shurim, Mr. Farid Mukhlis, Mr. Saud Mutlaq Al-Thiyabi, Mr. Abdullah Al-Zahrani, and all the attendees who enriched the evening with their presence and speech. London Diaries in Makkah.pdf
Dr. Faid concluded his speech about the evening by saying:
“I entered Dr. Bakri’s house carrying my books, and I left it carrying what is more precious: the loyalty of friends, the fragrance of Mecca, and the warmth of memories.”
Thus, the evening turned from an occasion to celebrate a new book to a meeting between the beginnings and its fruits, in which the “London Diaries” returned to Mecca, and with it the memory of a departed father, and the voice of a loved one remained alive in the memory of his son, and in which the fulfilment of knowledge and the loyalty of man were combined.
And thus, the evening transformed from an occasion to celebrate a new book into a meeting between beginnings and their fruits. The “London Diaries” returned to Makkah, bringing with it the memory of a departed father, which was united with the voice he loved and which remained alive in his son’s memory, and where the loyalty of knowledge met the loyalty of humanity. London Diaries in Makkah.pdf
[تميز صحيفة مكة الإلكترونية ]
اتفق تماما مع رأي معالي الدكتور
( محمد صالح بنتن )
في تميز صحيفة مكة الإلكترونية
بقيادة رئيس تحريرها الزميل النشط
عبدالله الزهراني..
>> الزميل عبدالله الزهراني..ماشاءالله تبارك الرحمن
يملك حاسة صحافيه متميزه..لديه حضور فريد من نوعه على كافة الأصعده..استطاع بعلاقاته الشخصيه ان يستكتب فريقا من الكتاب المتميزين والملتزمين في كتابة مقالاتهم..وهذه ميزة مهمة في عالم الصحافه..وعالم الإعلام بصفة عامة..الأن صحيفة مكة الإلكترونية تعد في طليعة الصحف الإلكترونية في المملكه..
* انني لا اتجاهل هنا دور فريق العمل لهذه الصحيفة الغراء ف
لهم كل الشكر والتقدير والإعتزاز
لكن.. لولا مهارة الربان الزميل
عبدالله الزهراني..ل كانت هذه الصحيفه..مثلها مثل بقية الصحف
الإلكترونية العاديه..التي لا تلفت انتباهك..
>> شكرا معالي الدكتور محمد صالح بنتن..على كلمة الحق التي قلتها ..[ في حق صحيفة مكة الإلكترونية ..وهنيئا لك ايها الزميل الأعز عبدالله الزهراني بهذا التميز وهذا الإعجاب العطر الذي ينثر
نحوك ]
(صدفة لطيفة وطريفة)
كنت جالس في محطة قطار مطار جدة لحالي على طاولة، وأغلب المكان فاضي، شوي يجيني رجال لابس نظارات شمسية واستاذن مني يجلس جنبي، قلت: تفضل. وقعد يسولف معي، عدة سوالف، ويا مرحبا بأهل قطر، وأنا طول الوقت أقول سبحان الله يشبه مدير جامعتنا كنّه إياه والا من قرايبه 🤣 بعدها بكم دقيقة قبل أحرّك، قلت: تسمح لي أسألك: يقرب لك الدكتور بكري عسّاس؟ شال نظاراته وهو مستغرب وقال: ايش عرفك فيه أنا هوّه، انته جني 🤣
قلت: أنا درست في جامعة أمّ القرى يوم كنت أنت مديرها 🤣🤣
استاذنته أصوّره قال: لا نصوّر مع ��عض للذكرى.
@Ali_Alsultan0@BakriMaz@BakriBooks بكري عساس ؛ الإنسان ، الأستاذ ، القدير و الجدير .
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