Al Fazl, 3 July 1923
Hazrat Maulvi Abdur Rahim Nayyarra (1883-1948)
Report of Secretary Tabligh
Secretary Tabligh Lagos, Alfa Joshua writes:
“In his Friday sermons, the chief imam especially advises members of the Jamaat in a very effective manner to strive for progress in faith and remain firm on Ahmadiyyat. Lectures are regularly held on Saturdays and Sundays in the city and the main markaz [centre]. In Balugan, where some hostile people were imprisoned for pelting us with stones, the series of lectures has been resumed, and people are participating in them with great enthusiasm. Dars of the Holy Quran for women is regularly held in the main mosque, and Alfa Sheta teaches them with complete dedication. On Sunday mornings, the Holy Quran class is held on a regular basis. In addition to these, two missionary classes, one for young Yoruba students and the other for well-respected educated workers of the Jamaat, are held. The second class is held at the house of Brother Chief Zakaria.
“Three people have recently taken bai‘at [of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra].”
Report of General Secretary Lagos Jamaat
General Secretary Lagos, Mr AR Balugan writes:
“These days, I have to work really hard because the inspector sahib is coming for the survey. The monthly expenses of the madrasa are 23 pounds and 13 shillings. The returns from fees, etc., amount to £12. The rest of the money has to be paid by the jamaat, which is already burdened by lawsuits. The madrasa is being run with full attention. The teachers are working very hard. The notification of rules and regulations has been typed, and as per your [Hazrat Abdur Rahim Nayyarra] instructions, a copy of the same will be given to the members of the select committee for review, and the proceedings of the committee and the opinion of the members will be reported to you. Small changes have been made in the constituencies. A special committee is engaged in the work of financial reforms. The monthly chanda [monetary sacrifice] is increasing, and young people are making a great effort. We will soon, God willing, start to give the monthly chanda to [the markaz], Qadian.
“This seed will grow. You will soon hear from other sources that the seed you sowed during the opposition and persecution, and facing the worst of circumstances, is becoming a tree and bearing fruits.”
Assistant Secretary Umur-e-Aama
Assistant Secretary Umur-e-Aama, Mr Thami Lagoda reports:
“The current situation in relation to the plots of land is as follows:
“Papers relating to the large pieces of land (25 plots) of Afaji, after approval by the government, are ready. The only concern of the government is that any part of the surrounding area that belongs to another person, can also become part of this land and give rise to a new series of court cases. Once this is sorted out, the paperwork will be completed and complied with. Then the land will be allotted by the government to the Ahmadiyya Jamaat for the second madrasa.
“All the officials have recommended the land requested for the building of a primary madrasa [school] and missionary houses at Elegbata and the papers are before the Chief Secretary for approval. Insha-Allah, they will be approved very soon.
“For Eid gatherings, the land commissioner has recommended giving the new land as per his promise. As you know it, the lease of the previous land has come to an end.”
Student from Nigeria in London
Brother Mr Gabriel Martin, who was the only Muslim in the Nigerian government to hold a high office, has moved abroad for law and university education, keeping in mind the needs of the Jamaat. He writes in his letter to me:
“My dear Maulvi Sahib! Every day, I feel deep down in my heart that my becoming a lawyer and attaining higher education are the needs of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, and with this conviction, I am now ready to sacrifice everything. I pray to Allah the Almighty to make me successful. And more than that, may God Almighty keep me firm and strong in my faith. And may Allah the Almighty make me a source of blessing and happiness, especially for the Jamaat and the leader of the community. I am fully aware of my responsibility, and I will try my best not to bring any disgrace to the Jamaat. However, my dear Maulvi Sahib! My heart is ready, but my body is weak.”
Summary
By the grace and blessings of Allah the Almighty, the Nigeria Jamaat is progressing by the day. The work in Northern Nigeria will start soon, insha-Allah. Two plots of land in Kano city have been allotted by the government to the Jamaat for the construction of a mosque and a madrasa.
New converts
Maulvi Kasim R Ajose, missionary in charge of Lagos, reports that 15 new families have joined the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. The madrasa is continuously progressing and the work is going well. The request for bai‘at by the new converts has been sent to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra]. […]
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 3 July 1923 issue of Al Fazl)