Ghafoor Ahmad Chishti, Late founder and chairman 

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Birthplace  
Ghafoor Ahmad Chishti Golarvi (RA), who was born on May 1st, 1956 during the suhoor time in the beautiful and pleasant village of Dhaka in Pakistan. The village is located in Wadi-e-Soon Sakaesar, which is a district of Khushaab and surrounded by lush green mountains. Many great awliya have lived their lives in Wadi-e-soon, and the ancestors of Sultan Bahu are buried in the city of Anga located in the same district. Peer Mehr Ali Shah sahib (RA) studied under the tutelage of Hazrat Sultan Mahmood (RA) in Anga, while Hazrat Peer Siyal Khwaja Kamaruddin Sialvi (RA) used to spend his summer days in Wadi-e-soon. When Chishti sahib (RA) was born, he was fortunate to be raised by his paternal grandparents who were righteous people and had an allegiance with Peer Mehr Ali Shah Sahib (RA). 

Late Ghafoor Ahmed Chishti (RA)

Early life 
At the tender age of 3 or 4, Chishti Sahib (RA) began learning the recitation of the Holy Quran from a chosen wali, Mian Abdul Aziz Sahib (RA). Even at a young age, Chishti Sahib's personality resembled those who are dear to Allah, and from 5-7 years old, he recited kalimahs, namaz, and the Quran in a melodious voice. By the age of 7, he would often seclude himself in the mountains, engrossed in the remembrance of Allah. Whenever his grandparents and father would go to Golra Shareef, they would take him with them, allowing him to experience spiritual awakening at a young age. 

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At the age of 14, he pledged allegiance with Syed Ghulam Mohaaiyuddeen Gilani Al-Marouf Babu Ji (RA), the son of Peer Mehr Ali Shah Sahib. Chishti Sahib's heart was filled with love for the awliya, and he had an immense desire to seek Islamic knowledge and learn from his peer khana. This motivated him to leave his home at the tender age of 14 and travel to the blessed town of Golra Shareef to study at their Islamic institution. He travelled over 100 miles, walking by himself for several days without food or money or taking rides on trucks. This act exemplifies the pursuit of knowledge and dedication to Islam, akin to the saintly predecessors who left the comfort of their homes to traverse difficult terrain in search of religious knowledge. After two weeks, his family became aware of his whereabouts when an uncle went to Golra Shareef and brought him back home. 

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Adulthod  
Chishti Sahib (RA) completed his primary education in his village and matriculation in the nearest city of Noshehra. Even during his school days, he had a knack for Quran recitation and oracy and always won competitions. Owing to his frequent attendance at gatherings and Urs at Golra Shareef, and his love for the Awliya, the villagers would often call him Qari Sahib or Maulana Sahib. After matriculation, he studied Islamic studies with a great scholar named Muhammad Shafi Sahib (RA) in Noshera and gained primary education in Islamic studies until the age of 16. He began giving khutbahs in the Jami Masjid of Noshera, which was the biggest city in the Wadi. During this time, he also started his own business, beginning with just a box of mangoes, which eventually grew into the largest store in the village. 

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For the sake of Allah, he led the five prayers at the Jami Masjid of Dhaka and began teaching children and offering religious services. He continued to lead prayers until his last day on earth. Children from the entire village attended his lessons, and the small mosque in the village had 150 children learning about Islam. Chishti Sahib (RA) was particular about Tajweed when reciting the Quran and his students never made any mistakes in their pronunciation. In his store, he offered Quran lessons until midnight and taught younger children about basic Islamic education and topics.

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Celebrating milaad 
From the age of 16 to 23, Chishti Sahib (RA) passionately preached Islam, and during this time, he celebrated the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in a grand way with his teacher Mawlana Shafee Sahib (RA). He would provide food for the entire village on this night, celebrate all night long, and invite great scholars and na'at khawaan. The next day, he would lead a procession through the village streets. This tradition started in one city but soon grew so big that all 22 villages would have a procession that would combine at the mosque in Noshera, where they would hold a program after Zuhr. 

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Alhamdulillah, this silsila (tradition) continues to this day, and he is certainly reaping the rewards for it from Allah's court. During these 10 years, Chishti Sahib (RA) provided Islamic education to many young people who went on to achieve great success in their lives. He instilled love for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the hearts of people and raised the Prophet's flag in all districts. Everywhere, people shouted slogans in honor of Rasulullah. Chishti Sahib's religious services were invaluable in Wadi-e-soon Skaesar, and the great wali ullah (friend of Allah) of Wadi-e-soon, Khaleefa Mian Aziz Ahmed of Peer Siyaal, even called him his brother. 

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Life in Lahore 
At the age of 25, Chishti Sahib left his village and moved to Lahore along with his two younger brothers, Hafiz Muhammad Hassan and Hafiz Mehmood-ul-Hassan, whom he looked after like a father and mother. In fact, he had taken over all his father’s responsibilities when he completed his Matric education and began his own business. He made sure to give special attention to his brothers' education and upbringing. 

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After relocating to Lahore, he became the Imam of a mosque in Ichara. He also turned his focus towards education and earned double MAs in Arabic and Islamic studies from Punjab University in just 6 years. He furthered his Dars-e-Nizami at Minhaj-ul-Quran. Chishti Sahib became a close friend of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri Sahib and worked abundantly for his movement. He also taught the Quran recitation to his children. 

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From the age of 25 to 34 years, Chishti Sahib taught thousands of children to recite the Quran and to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet Peace Be Upon Him. Wherever he went or lived, he became well known for his teaching of the Quran and for awakening the love of the Prophet Peace Be Upon Him, particularly during the celebration of Milaad and processions. Despite living in Lahore, he continued to organize and take special care of the Milaad that took place in Wadi-e-soon, and would return specifically to do so. 

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Life in the UK 
In 1990, at the age of 34, Chishti Sahib moved from Lahore to the UK, first living in Nelson and later in Peterborough. In 1993, he settled in Birmingham and continued his noble work at the Sultan Bahu Trust, where he led prayers and taught Islamic knowledge until his passing. He served the Muslim community for almost 30 years in Birmingham, but did not forget his roots. He used his private funds, as well as collections from family and friends, to build a Masjid and Madrassah called Mehria Islamic Educational Trust in his hometown. Allah be praised, this institution is now fully functioning and offers secular academic education as well as Islamic education to the poor and disadvantaged Muslim community in the area. It also provides boarding facilities for students who come from afar. 

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Chishti Sahib lived his life for the religion, knowing that his final destination was the next life. He paved the way for his akhira, setting up his own sadaqah jariyah by teaching students who continue to pass on their knowledge to others. He also established an Islamic institution that we hope will continue to prosper until the end of time, benefiting him and weighing heavily on his scale of good deeds. 

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May Allah elevate Chishti Sahib by His infinite mercy and kindness, and accept his services for the religion. May Allah reward him until the hereafter. Ameen.