title: execute link in background using PHP
body: <p>Please read below my scenario..
  I have been given a link.. On executing the link in web browser, message will be sent to the intended recipients .. But for my website I need the link to be executed in php as I would retrieve member name from db...
  Steps....</p>
  
  <pre><code>      Retrieve name from db
        $URL = "ABC.com&amp;msg=".$msg
        (Execute the link)
         /* do something 
  
   url = 'http://api.smsgatewayhub.com/smsapi/pushsms.aspx?user=stthomasmtc&amp;pwd=429944&amp;to=9176411081&amp;sid=STMTSC&amp;msg=Dear%20Sam,%20choir%20practice%20will%20be%20held%20in%20our%20Church%20on%20July%2031%20at%208:00%20pm.%20Thanks,%20St.%20Thomas%20MTC!&amp;fl=0&amp;gwid=2'
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I am not sure how to execute a link without redirecting.. Hence cannot use header()
  I tried using file_get_contents() but didn't work..</p>
  
  <p>Can you please guide me.. Thanks!</p>