Muhammad Ihsan Siddiqi, Secretary Mauritius Jamaat (1925)
Growing acceptance of Islam Ahmadiyyat
By the grace of Allah the Almighty, the earlier hostility and social withdrawal of non-Ahmadis from the Ahmadiyya Community in Mauritius has significantly diminished. Since February 1925, I have been undertaking a preaching tour of the rural areas of Mauritius. People attend my sermons and listen with keen interest.
Preaching Islam in Mauritian villages
In April 1925, I visited the coastal area of (عقاب) in Mauritius as part of my tabligh tour. There, a local landowner, whom I had known previously, encouraged all the Muslims of his village to gather at his house after Maghrib prayer to listen to a lecture on the Holy Quran. As a result, many people came to his home at the time of Maghrib and joined me in the congregational prayer. After dinner, we offered the Isha prayer and commenced the lecture, in which I highlighted the many virtues and attributes of Islam. The house was filled with men, and one room was occupied by women.
The people of this village had requested their local mullah, who resided in a neighbouring village, to visit them twice a week and teach them about prayer and other Islamic obligations for a remuneration of 15 rupees per week, but the request was declined. Currently, one of our brothers, Dil Muhammad, provides them with daily lessons on the fundamental teachings of Islam.
Opposition and a landowner’s bold defence of Ahmadi missionaries
In response, the local clerics began to object, questioning why the villagers were allowing Ahmadis – whom they declared to be kafirs [disbelievers] – into their homes and listening to the Holy Quran from them. To this, the same landowner replied:
“So, those who walk to our homes without any expectation of payment and teach us the pure Word of God – the Holy Quran – and the commandments of prayer and fasting are disbelievers, while those who neither offer prayers nor fast themselves and charge money without teaching us anything are Muslims? Prove from the Holy Quran that Ahmadis are disbelievers!”
At this, the clerics were left speechless. In May 1925, respected Sufi Ghulam Muhammad Sahib also visited this area and delivered a speech at the home of the same landowner for three to four hours. A large number of people listened attentively and with great enthusiasm.
Aryas and Muslims
The Aryas are vigorously propagating their beliefs and attempting to ensnare uninformed and ignorant Muslims in their ideological web. However, prominent Muslims and their clerics appear entirely indifferent and show no concern whatsoever.
Weekly gatherings at Masjid Darus Salaam
By the grace and mercy of Allah the Almighty, a regular weekly gathering has been instituted at Masjid Darus Salaam, Rose Hill, Mauritius, to be held every Sunday from 2 to 4 pm. One such gathering was already held last Sunday on 7 June 1925.
The purpose of these gatherings is to present discourses that refute the doctrines of the Arya religion. Invitations to these gatherings are extended to all communities, including the Aryas themselves, and especially to non-Ahmadi Muslims so that they may become informed and equipped to counter the arguments of the Aryas.
Religious education at Rose Hill
By the grace and mercy of God, the Ahmadiyya Muslim School at Rose Hill, Mauritius, is functioning effectively. This school educates both Ahmadi and non-Ahmadi boys and girls and even includes some Hindu boys. The curriculum focuses on teaching the Holy Quran and the Urdu language. The school has two additional branches: one located in Triolet and another in St. Pierre. At all three locations, boys and girls study the Holy Quran, both with and without translation. Many boys and girls have made significant progress in Urdu and have studied several parts of the Holy Quran with translation.
Promise for a purpose-built school building
I am personally engaged in teaching at the central school in Rose Hill four days a week. I also help the students memorise the Arabic wording of salat and its translation. Our esteemed friend, Brother Ahmad Sanjay Sahib, has made a promise that, upon the successful sale of his timber farm, he will finance the construction of a beautiful new building for the Ahmadiyya School in Rose Hill. May the Gracious Lord grant him success in this noble intention. Amin.
All friends are requested to pray for our religious progress and for the continued success of our school, that the Gracious Lord may grant us success in every aspect of our spiritual endeavours. Amin.
Wassalam,
Seeker of your prayers,
Muhammad Ihsan Siddiqi,
Secretary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Mauritius.
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 14 July 1925 issue of Al Fazl)