Addressing a press conference in Itikaf City, Sheikh Zahid Fayyaz, head of Central Itikaf committee and Jawad Hamid, secretary of the committee, have said that all arrangements have been completed for Itikaf 2012 to be held under the banner of Minhaj-ul-Quran International from Thursday onwards. Thousands of participants, both male and female, from across Pakistan would attend the Itikaf at separate places. The caravans of the intending people have already started arriving at Itikaf City. The registration process got completed one week before the commencement of Itikaf and there is no space for the new comers. A large number of people from overseas will also attend Itikaf.

Sheikh Zahid Fayyaz said that Itikaf City was exempted from load-shedding for last three years and it was not ready to cooperate on this count during this year. He appealed to the President, Prime Minister, Chief Minister and Chairman LESCO to exempt Itikaf City from load-shedding. He said that there was a likelihood of water shortage during sehri and iftari as catering to thousands of people without electricity was not easy in this hot and humid weather.

Ahmad Nawaz Anjum, G.M. Malik, Sajid Mahmood Bhatti, Qazi Faiz-ul-Islam and heads of administrative committees were also present on the occasion.

Sheikh Zahid Fayyaz said that about 2000 youths of Minhaj Youth League and MSM would perform the security duties during the ten days of Itikaf. He said that security cameras had been installed at different places, while police and law enforcement agencies had made special arrangements for security. He said that 30 huge fans had been installed in the courtyard of the Mosque. All other arrangements such as availability of water for abolition and cleanliness were also made and a team of 25 doctors would also be present to treat patients if any. Four ambulances of Minhaj Welfare Foundation have also been detailed at the City.

Thousands of men would attend Itikaf at Jamia al-Minhaj while women would participate in Itikaf at Minhaj Girls College. The chief highlight of Itikaf 2012 is the keynote speeches of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, which he would deliver on the subject of mysticism and spiritualism after Fajr prayers. Three huge sized LED screens have also been installed so that the participants would have no difficulty in listening to the speeches.

The proceedings of Itiakf and speeches of Shaykh-ul-Islam would be telecast live around the world on minhaj.tv.