On Sunday 29 May 2016, Jamia Al-Karam held an intimate Friends of Al-Karam dinner which was attended by supporters and well-wishers of the institution who have continued to help it progress over the past three decades. The occasion saw elders and members of the younger generations all gather for a day of reflection, lunch and a simple meet and greet.
Special guest at the dinner was the Imam and Khatib of the Sufi Shrine of Ali ibn Uthman al-Hujweri (Data Darbar) in Lahore, Pakistan, Allama Mufti Muhammad Ramzan Sialvi. A number of graduate scholars and Imams of Jamia Al-Karam also attended. It was a unique occasion and great to see generations come together at Jamia Al-Karam. Guests were led on a tour of the campus by the founder and principal, Shaykh Muhammad Imdad Hussain Pirzada. A small gathering of reflection took place in which the vice-principal, Bakhtyar Pirzada al-Azhari, outlined the context to the event; Mufti Ramzan Sialvi paid tribute to the works of the institution and Shaykh Pirzada delivered a passionate talk on the wider situation of Imams and Mosques in the United Kingdom. Following lunch, guests enjoyed a casual tea with staff and students.
Guests included Hafiz Abdul Rasool (Imam, Al-Karam Mosque London), Chaudhury Mohammed Sadeeq (chairman, Central Mosque of Brent, and founder, Super Save Stores plc, London), Ali Qudar Raja (Heckmondwike), Haji Muhammad Yusuf (Halifax), Habib Hussain (Southall), Afzaal Haider (Peterborough), Asim Mahmood (Sheffield), Haji Qassim Ali (Manchester) and others. Graduates of Jamia Al-Karam who attended included Imam Muhammad Irfan Chishti MBE (Rochdale), Abu Awais Imam Muhammad Zahoor Chishty (Oldham), Imam Arfan Shahzad al-Azhari (Bradford), Imam Abu Baqar Ali (Bradford), Hafiz Siraj Iqbal (Stockton-on-Tees), Yunus Nazir (Birmingham), Imam Umar Nawaz (Rochdale), Maulana Shabbir Sialvi (Rochdale) and others.