TAWWABEEN.ORG
A HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT
The Inception
The website’s coming into being is very amazing, in the sense that Shaykh Dr. Nadeem Qureshi (db)—who put forth this idea for expansion—was in fact very distant to computers and everything about them (like websites or even email). This was never so out of any sort of ignorance, but instead out of Hazrat’s firm belief that internet and computers became exploitation to a person’s Ibada’h, posing a rather strong impediment for him in the sincere remembrance of Allah (SWT). But once he saw that it was necessary for people’s needs, and as Allah (SWT) willed it, circumstances adapted themselves in such a way that a web presence quickly became a requirement.
In year 2006, Tawwabeen group saw its second Hajj expedition after the inaugural one from the year before. Gathering knowledge and experience from a successful previous year (Alhamdulillah), Shaykh Dr. Nadeem Qureshi (db) saw and understood very well—the need for more organization and preparation among the Hujjaj, in an effort to make this wonderful journey an even better one by the Grace of Allah (SWT). Apart from the budding Hajj activities, Hazrat also held regular Mehfil-e-Zikrs and programs at his Khanqah. Although this evolving website (MashAllah), was Hazrat’s resolution to an effective dissipation of information regarding our Hajj packages and activities—together with the Zikr gatherings, the horizons for its purpose considerably expanded, and continue to do so until today by the blessings of Allah (SWT).
July 2006
Brother Ahmed, under the guidance and supervision of Hazrat Shaykh Dr. Nadeem Qureshi Saheb, builds some working web pages on a free website provider, initially designed to post hajj package information for viewing nationwide. This website, in construction was rather simple as most of its components were pre-made in the template. Work, however, was done to put together data suitable for the web—encompassing both Hazrat’s Hajj and Khanqah activities. The website, at this point did not have the domain of .ORG but rather a name similar to a blog. Around this time, there are few visitors—primarily Hujjaj.
September 2006
As the Hajj draws near, and as more people become aware of Tawwabeen, Shaykh Dr. Nadeem Qureshi looks into further development of the website. He asks Brother Khalil in Atlanta, Georgia—to help us in the development. The domain of TAWWBAEEN.ORG is purchased and brother Khalil works hard and makes an HTML website on a proper host. Here initial steps are taken to take Tawwabeen to the next level of organization and development. The website is still basic in nature but more productive. Regular gathering and Hajj/Umrah related Lectures/Bayanaat are now posted for Salikeen and Hujjaj to listen to.
February 2007
Upon his return from Hajj, Shaykh Dr. Nadeem Qureshi introduces one of the Haaji from the journey—Brother Nuaman Cheema to Ahmed. With an ever-growing purpose and visitors to Tawwabeen, Hazrat directs Nauman (a computer programmer by profession) to enhance the website in an overall re-designing. At first we searched for a template that would fit our exact needs and provide us with the very much needed flexibility. Despite all that, we were not able to procure such a template. Then Nauman suggested a custom made template that would—although not be the perfect template for the website that we were in search of—but be an improvement over the one that we had at that time. Thus under the guidance of Hazrat the new and a better website was developed.
This is site was very close to professional but still had a lot of room for upgrade and improvement. Incorporating both the main Tasawwuf/Khanqah and Hajj/Umrah Sections, this version of the site also had a growing Lectures page and a new member to the Family—a section for Traditional Islamic Education (I’lm), that Hazrat once again, brought about. Since I’lm and Tasawwuf go hand in hand—this section became another official “Department” of Tawwabeen.org.
Web Statistics:
From February 28th of 2007, the Analytics tool in our website reported the first 26 recorded visitors from just 3 countries. [02/28/2007]
Source: Google® Analytics Tracker
PRESENT [MAY 2008]
After some stabilized web presence for the site, Shaykh Dr. Nadeem Qureshi (db) embarked upon establishing funeral services for Muslims of the New York and later InshAllah for the entire country. Another Department to our website sprouted—by the name of Paak Funeral. Soon the website will InshAllah enter a new phase, a phase of providing multiple services, in a coherent form and under a new look. Based in India, Brother Masud Vorajee in collaboration with Brother Sajid Pallithotungal in New Jersey, the website is once again, under construction.
Work is underway, based not upon two or three individuals—but based upon a wide array of people, from the east coast to the west coast; in Pakistan, India and South Africa. As Shaykh Nadeem Qureshi correctly says, “As this website grows exponentially, so are the number of people involved in maintaining it. InshAllah the vision is that upon completion of this re-developed Tawwabeen website, we will have an expanded Tasawwuf section, a more informative Hajj/Umrah section, a very handy Paak Funeral section (incorporating divisions for Inheritance, Literature, Wills in accordance to the Sharia’h); and a highly user-friendly and significant online University for Traditional Studies, taught InshAllah by a variety of authentic Ulamaa (Scholars).