During his tour of Europe, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra arrived in London on 22 August 1924 and stayed there for two months. During this time, each day was full of engagements. In our previous articles, we have been addressing key events of Huzoor’sra stay in London. However, this article endeavours to present various other events that deserve to be mentioned in the vast sea of receptions, meetings, lectures and interviews.
Interview by the Daily News
On 24 August 1924, a correspondent of the Daily News London interviewed Huzoorra and, on the next day, published an article under the heading “An Eastern Sage: Holy Man’s Pilgrimage to Ludgate Circus”, along with a photograph:
“In a West End drawing-room last night, a holy man from the East sat cross-legged upon the floor in the midst of a semi-circle of disciples.
“The holy man was the Khalifatul Masih, head of the Ahmadiyya movement in Islam, who has come to London to take part in the conference on living religions within the Empire.
“The movement was started in India half a century ago.
“His Holiness, a man 35 years old, whose delicate ivory features are set off by a bushy black beard, permitted a ‘Daily News’ reporter to be present.
“Entering the room, his audience removed their boots and squatted on praying-rugs.
“When the ‘Daily News’ man was shown as an earnest young student put some abstruse points of theology. Something relating to the progress of the soul.
“‘One of the first things the Khalifatul [Masih] did in London,’ said one of his followers, ‘was to visit Ludgate-circus. In the Islamic ‘Traditions’ there is a prophecy that the Messiah would enter Ludgate. The words in the prophecy are Bab-el-Lud,’ which means ‘the gate of Lud.’”
At-home reception for London journalists
On 28 August 1924, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra gave an “at-home” reception to prominent journalists of London. The president and secretary of the Conference on Some Living Religions Within the Empire were also present. Huzoor’sra special message for the guests was read out by Hazrat Sir Zafrulla Khanra. The guests then discussed various topics with Huzoorra and made notes, which were later published in their newspapers. (Safar-e-Europe, pp. 166-167)
Belfast Telegraph wrote 29 August 1924 under the heading “Promised Messiah: Moslem Religion’s Head — Son’s Arrival in London”:
“The Calif Ul Masih (Caliph of Messiah), head of the Ahmadia sect of Moslems, who has come to London with twelve holy men to be present at the Conference on Living Religions, was ‘at home’ yesterday afternoon in a house in Chesham Place. He is the son of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, who is regarded by his followers as the Promised Messiah. He wore a white turban and sat in an armchair with a gilded back. His followers all wore green turbans—the colour of intellectual spirituality—with the exception of his brother, who was entitled to wear a grey one.
“The Calif will read a paper on Islam at the conference at the Imperial Institute. His family traces its descent from the Moghul and Persian Royal houses, and settled in India a few generations ago.
“His father claims to have had manifestations that he was destined to give the world religious guidance. One night [during his stay in Sialkot before his claim] he awoke and heard a faint ticking, from which he concluded that the roof was about to fall. He aroused his companions [i.e., roommates], but, thinking that this was only a fancy of his, they went again to sleep. He aroused them once more, but they refused to listen to him. A third time he heard the same sound, and he felt that the roof was only waiting for him to leave the room before it fell. He then forced his companions to leave the room. As soon as he stepped out, the roof fell in.
“The Calif’s engagements include a visit to Brighton today, to inspect the monument on the downs near Patcham to the Indian soldiers who died in the Great War and the memorial gateway at the Royal Pavilion, which is the offering of the Indian people to the town in acknowledgement of its help to their men. After that, he will make a pilgrimage to Glastonbury.”
On the same day, The Glasgow Herald gave a similar report under the heading “Problem of the East: Plea for Sympathy and Unity”.
A reception in Peckham
On 5 September 1924, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra attended a reception held in his honour in Peckham. There, in addition to some new converts, a member of the Dulwich Conservative Association also had the opportunity to meet Huzoorra. He invited Huzoorra to deliver a lecture in Dulwich, which Huzoorra accepted and thereafter delivered a lecture at the Constitutional Hall on East Dulwich Grove. (Safar-e-Europe, pp. 195-196)
Reporting on the reception at the house of Mr Khalid Sheldrake, South London Observer published articles on 10 and 13 September 1924, under the heading “His Holiness the Khalifatul Masih”:
“On Friday His Holiness the Khalifatul Masih was the guest of Dr and Mrs Khalid Sheldrake, of Fennimere, Fenwick Road, Peckham. He was accompanied by twelve learned Indians and his representatives from Berlin, Chicago and Nigeria.
“His Holiness is in London to speak at the Conference of Living Religions Within the Empire on the invitation of the organiser, who include Col. Sir Francis Younghusband of Tibetan fame, Sir E. Dennison Ross, Sir Thomas Arnold and W. Loftus Hare.
“The conference was to have taken place at the British Empire Exhibition, Wembley, but as now arranged for the 22nd instant to October 3 at the Imperial Institute, South Kensington.
“In an interview with a ‘Camberwell and Peckham Times’ reporter, His Holiness explained that he came to the West to endeavour to find some basis of agreement between East and West. He admired the British nation and felt honoured to live under the British flag, which ensures safety to the peoples of the Empire. In very truth, the British Empire is the real League of Nations. As to the conference, His Holiness explained that he was to voice the Abroidir ideals. He was a Mahommedan, and as the Holy Quran stated: ‘It matters not what you name yourselves—Muslims, Jews, Christians or whatnot, whosoever believes in God, the last everlasting day, and acts right, their meed is with their Lord; no fear shall come upon them nor the touch of woe.’ This message of the Lord, given through the lips of the Blessed Prophet of Arabia, urged men of all religions to act up to their ideals when mankind would in reality be blessed.
“His Holiness said that Islam is very much misunderstood in the West and he hoped to bring about a new feeling of regard for the millions of fellow-subjects of the King Emperor who form numerically the largest group of any religious body in the Empire. His Holiness desires that, on some future occasion, he may be able to speak to the people of South London and give them the message he has travelled so far to bring to the West.
“It may surprise some people to learn that the Mahommedan faith is becoming very strong in Britain and numbers amongst its following members of the Peerage and other distinguished people. Dr Khalid Sheldrake, whose works are read with avidity in all parts of the Mahommedan world, is a prominent British Muslim and his is the first house that has been visited by His Holiness and the delegation. A prayer was offered by His Holiness for Dr Sheldrake and family before the party left for the Dulwich Pavilion Hall, where he received other friends.”
A message to Londoners
On 7 September 1924, a tea party was arranged in honour of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra at the London Mission House. It was attended by many local dignitaries and Indian students. Mentioning this, The Daily Mirror published Huzoor’sra photograph on 8 September, with the following caption:
“Islam’s Representative.—The Khalifa-tul-Masih[ra] (white turban), who has come to England to attend the Conference of Religions, at Wembley [sic., Imperial Institute], taking tea at a reception held at the Mosque, Southfields.”
On the same day, the Westminster Gazette reported under the heading “Moslem Tea Party: Eastern Scene in a Suburban Garden”:
“London Mohammedans gathered yesterday afternoon at their Mosque in Melrose Road, Southfields, to meet His Holiness the Khalifa tul Masih, and to take tea with him.
“It was a strange scene, set in the garden of a London suburban house. Indians — some in purely Western garb, others in semi-Western clothes surmounted either by a turban or a fez […].
“There were about sixty guests present at the invitation of the Imam of the Mosque, the Maulvie Abdur Rahim Nayyar. His Holiness engaged many of them in earnest religious discussions, and his white-turbanned figure was always surrounded by reverent adherents of his new movement.
“Intermittent showers of rain did not appear to damp the spirits of the ‘Faithful of Allah,’ and they enjoyed the tea and cakes served in Western style while the heavens wept upon them.
“After tea had been concluded, the Maulvie delivered a stirring address of welcome to His Holiness, speaking in perfect English. His Holiness replied suitably and at length.
“At the conclusion of the proceedings, the Mohamedans present entered the Mosque and performed their customary Maghrib, or evening prayers.”
From Chesham Place, Huzoorra departed for Southfields on motor car along with four other members of the entourage, the rest were instructed to go via train. On the return journey, Huzoorra travelled via rail in the First Class.
The reception was attended by the Turkish ambassador to London, Yusuf Kemal Bey (later changed his surname to Tengirşenk) and his deputy. The deputy ambassador knew Arabic and thus Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra had a discussion with him in Arabic, and the photographers began capturing photos, but they requested Huzoorra to sit on a chair. Thereafter, Huzoorra and the deputy ambassador had a discussion in Arabic while seated. Huzoorra conveyed to him the message of Ahmadiyyat and acquainted him with the beliefs of the Jamaat. The photographers kept taking pictures from various angles. (Safar-e-Europe, pp. 200-201)
Huzoor’sra paper that was read at this reception entailed a special message for the people of London.
Kedar Nath Das Gupta
On 13 September 1924, Huzoorra granted an audience to Mr Kedar Nath Das Gupta, Director of the Union of East and West, at dinner. Mr Das Gupta discussed an array of topics with Huzoorra.
During the discussion, he repeatedly urged Huzoorra to visit America as well, and said, “You have now come from India and it will be unfortunate for America if you return without visiting there.” He said that the people there have a great spirit of acceptance. He submitted that if Huzoorra intends to visit, he will immediately arrange lectures in four to five cities, such as New York, Washington, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago. Mr Das Gupta then praised Huzoor’s writings and style of speech and said that after the lecture at the Guild Hall on 9 September during a session of the Union of the East and West, five individuals came to him and greatly appreciated that lecture.
Huzoorra responded that he might not even be allowed to enter America according to American law (he did not specify, whether due to the ailment of his eyes or polygamy). Upon this, Mr Das Gupta said that he would take responsibility and would make sure that there is no hindrance regarding entry into America.
Meanwhile, Huzoorra was contemplating on the proposal and calculating as to when he could visit and then return. Finally, Huzoorra informed him that the arrangements for his return to India had already been made. (Safar-e-Europe, pp. 255-256)
On 16 September, Mr Gupta had another meeting and repeated his request for a visit to America, but Huzoorra said that he had decided that for the time being, this plan ought to be postponed, and whenever there will be a need to visit America, he will do so, insha-Allah. (Ibid, p. 276)
Sir E Denison Ross
On 19 September, at 4 pm, Sir Edward Denison Ross (1871-1940) — the director of the University of London’s School of Oriental Studies (now SOAS) — came to meet Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra.
He told Huzoorra that his visit to England is attracting great interest in the English press and multiple news reports have been published. This was followed by some academic discussion. Sir Ross praised the English translation of the first part of the Holy Quran, published in 1915. He said that he had a copy of it and would read it. Huzoorra and Sir Ross had tea as well.
On 15 October 1924, at around 11 am, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra went to visit the London School of Oriental Studies, where Sir Edward Denison Ross had another meeting with him.
Sir Denison apologised, for had he known that Huzoorra was coming, he would have prepared a greater reception and made other arrangements. He said that he was only told that some eastern people were coming. Whilst there, Huzoorra visited the ongoing classes of Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Hindi, and then visited the library. Huzoorra had a discussion with an English professor of history, and said that he did not agree with the English history books nor their historiography. English historians are often mistaken and act with prejudice. For instance, Huzoorra said, if a certain point is attributed to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan, it is said to be very good and is held up as an example of high morals and great bravery. However, if the same words are ascribed towards Aurangzeb Alamgir, they deem it very bad and detestable. (Safar-e-Europe, pp. 402-403)
Colonel Douglas
On 21 September 1924, at 4 pm, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra granted an audience to Lieutenant Col. Montagu William Douglas CSI, CIE (1863-1957). During the meeting, photographs were also taken.
When Huzoorra arrived, Colonel Douglas stood up and expressed his emotions by saying, “You are the son of my friend; I consider your respected father as a friend.” (Al Fazl, 21 October 1924, p. 4)
A photograph of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra and Captain Douglas was captured by Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmadra while they were having a discussion in the study room. (Ibid., 8 November 1924, p. 4)
A correspondent of the Nottingham Evening Post meets Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra
The Nottingham Evening Post wrote on 23 October 1924, under the heading “Holy Man in London”:
“I had a personal invitation the other day to lunch with the head of the Ahmadia Community who, to visit London, left the quietude of a little village off the track—Qadian, in the Punjab—from a sense of religious duty. It is the first time he has ever had to come in contact with great centres of civilisation. At his table were many Indian scholars, calm, soft-spoken men in green turbans, who, while partaking frugally of Indian curry, with sweetened vegetables, and chupatees (Indian bread), spoke careful English in answer to my many questions.
“Many of them were travellers, and there were men present from all over the world. His Holiness is leaving for Paris on Friday, and he will depart from Marseilles to India, where he returns to his comparative seclusion. He is a broad-minded man. The world, he says, needs toleration and large-heartedness. He is impressed by the speed at which we live.”
(Prepared by the Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre)