There was a moment when it felt like everything was over. My brother, Zia Panjtani, who had gone to Dubai for work, suddenly disappeared. Deceived, he was taken to Bangkok and then to Myanmar, where he was kidnapped. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of 2.2 million rupees and threatened dire consequences if we didn’t comply. This news shattered our entire family, especially our mother, who is a heart patient. Her health was deteriorating with each passing day, and we were left with no hope or direction.
Desperation and the Search for Help
In desperation, I went to Lucknow, pleading for help from influential individuals, but I received no satisfactory response. One day, while sitting with Maulana Razi and Faisal Sahib, I noticed a young man reciting Surah Al-Fatiha at some graves. I learned that this was Maulana Syed Iman Ahmad, who regularly visited the grave of his ancestor, Ayatollah Najm-ul-Millat (RA), to recite prayers. At that moment, a glimmer of hope emerged.
A Ray of Hope: Maulana Iman Ahmad
Maulana Iman Ahmad, the grandson of Ayatollah Hamid-ul-Hasan and a student of Jamia Al-Mustafa in Qom, Iran, and Jamia Nazmia in Lucknow, listened to our story and immediately offered his help. I had never met him before, but his empathy and sincerity gave me confidence that my brother would return home.
Unwavering Efforts
Maulana Iman not only stayed in constant contact with the Indian Embassy in Myanmar but also sought help from local contacts there. Despite facing personal challenges, including his father recently undergoing open-heart surgery, Maulana prioritized Zia’s release above all else. For two months, he tirelessly worked day and night, utilizing all his resources to secure Zia’s freedom under extremely challenging circumstances.
The Day of Freedom
When my brother finally returned, he recounted the harrowing experience of living with the kidnappers, enduring both mental and physical torture. Zia said, “I am alive because of Maulana Iman Ahmad. Whenever I got a chance to talk to my family, my sister would tell me that Maulana Iman was helping us wholeheartedly. One day, Maulana personally called me to encourage me during a particularly tough time. His words were like the last ray of hope for me.”
A Lesson in Humanity
Maulana Iman Ahmad not only helped our family but also taught us that there is no greater worship than serving humanity. His sincere efforts have earned him immense respect in our hearts, and we will forever remain grateful to him.
