Al Fazl, 4 January 1924
Hazrat Maulvi Abdur Rahim Nayyarra (1883-1948)
French new convert
In the days of the report under discussion, one of the distinguished guests who visited Ahmadiyya Darut Tabligh [mission house] was a French new convert lady named Madame de Simo and her little girl Fatima. […] We had a conversation with this honourable lady through an interpreter.
Madame de Simo edits a newspaper in the city of Nice, located in the South of France. She is a respected figure in Morocco as well. She listened very attentively to the important issues of Ahmadiyyat and showed great sincerity and love for Ahmadiyya Jamaat. Her younger daughter Fatima recited the Kalima [creed] in her childish voice in French.
Our sister has taken 100 French copies of [The Philosophy of the] Teachings of Islam for distribution and plans to present [this book of the Promised Messiahas] in her circle of French people. She suggests that much work can be done through literature in Western countries. Thus, Ahmadiyya literature should be published in every language. There is a great opportunity for the publication [and distribution of Islamic literature] in France.
In Spain, women’s rights activists are forsaking religion, especially the Catholic faith. On the other hand, people here are not well-informed about Islam. Consequently, on the occasion of a lecture, the Spanish women expressed their surprise when they heard about Islam.
Lecture
It was cold and raining last Sunday morning, but Allah the Almighty granted strength to some people who left all other activities and speeches and came to us. Most of the newcomers join us to hear the message of truth. They mostly ask very relevant and reasonable questions, but there are also some people who are completely unfamiliar with Islam.
Hence, I observed that a woman in the meeting under discussion waited patiently in the rain without an umbrella for a long time for her turn to ask a question and when she got the chance, she said, “Tell me, what is the difference between Allah and Muhammad?”
Ahmadi students
By the grace of Allah the Almighty, Ahmadi students living in England are diligently engaged in religious education. Aziz Seith Ali Muhammad Sahib has passed his entrance exam and is about to join the university for law studies. He will select a course that will help him compete in the civil service examination.
Hafiz Syed Mahmudullah Shah Sahib is learning to work in the Railway Department at Sheffield and is held in exceptional respect within and outside his department for his honesty, good manners and piety.
Chaudhary Maula Bakhsh Sahib Janjua BA (Hons) of Oxon, Barrister at Law, University of London, is busy preparing for LLB Hons Examination.
Sahibzada Abdul Rahim Khan Khalid Sahib has passed his final bar examination. Ghulam Hussain Sahib Bhunno of Mauritius has passed a difficult stage of the medical examination and is having a busy time at [the University of] Edinburgh. Chaudhary Ghulam Qadir Khan Sahib BSc (Hons) aims to stay in England for some more time to acquire more qualifications.
Sheikh Zafar-ul-Haq Sahib, BSc, is preparing for his honours exam. Brother Gabrial Martin from West Africa is studying law at the University of London after passing the Cambridge entrance examination. He will also pass the bar exam, insha-Allah.
Malik Muhammad Ismail, BSc, son of the late Dr llahi Bakhsh Sahib, who by the grace of Allah the Almighty, came first in Banaras Hindu University, has arrived in London safely to acquire education on a government scholarship. He is staying at Ahmadiyya Darut Tabligh. He has been admitted to the second-year class at the Royal Veterinary College. We request members of the Jamaat to pray for all these students of Islam.
New students
Those students who want to come abroad for education and want to get acquainted with the conditions here should write to the address given below. Insha-Allah, they will be informed in detail about all the necessary matters:
YH Khan Esq.
The Ahmadiyya Mosque, 63 Melrose Road, Southfields, London, SW 18.
– Abdur Rahim Nayyar, 25 October 1923.
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 4 January 1924 issue of Al Fazl)