DAR-US-SALAM LIBRARY

The concept of this Idara has a history of over 100 years and is the result of considerable efforts, sacrifices, and foresight. Traditionally, in the early 1900s, students resorted to open spaces and gardens for study. Col. Sahib, then a student of F.C. College and later K.E. Medical College during 1908–1915, frequented the spot where the mosque now stands. At that moment in time, he made it his endeavor that, God willing, he would construct a mosque.

Upon retiring in 1948, after a distinguished career, he obtained the necessary permission, though not without considerable difficulty. It is said that a senior bureaucrat concerned, being a member of the club located adjacent to the site, objected as he did not wish to hear the Azan while inebriated. However, after constructing the mosque, Col. Sahib offered it to the Auqaf Department to take charge, but they declined.

Later, Col. Sahib offered to rebuild the adjacent shack/restaurant and this library, forming a largely self-contained institution that would operate mainly through the lease income generated by the restaurant. To this end, a Management Committee was constituted by the Punjab government to ensure the continuity and effective operation of the Idara, with the proviso that a member of the Salamat family would remain on the Management Committee, and the Chairman would be the Secretary of Agriculture, Punjab, ex officio. However, with the recent transfer of Bagh administration to the PHA, the Director General of PHA assumed the role of Chairman.

Prior to the construction of the mosque in the 1950s, the plinth area was regularly used for Dars-e-Quran, which was delivered by Mr. Muhammad Ali Kasuri (late) and was well attended.

Mr. Mr. Manzur Elahi (late), who later became the Chief Minister of Punjab, was a patron of the Idara and devoted considerable energy to the promotion of the library. Mr. Majeed Nizami, Sheikh Abdul Haq, Dr. Jahangir Khan (late), and Mr. Ahmed Hassan (late) were also among the many distinguished personalities who gave their patronage.