The Canadian student body of Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya, AMSA (Ahmadiyya Muslim Student Association), had a mulaqat with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih, may Allah be his Helper, on 11 January 2020.
The mulaqat started with the recitation of the Holy Quran followed by a nazm. A report was then presented before Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa. The report stated that in Canada, there are a total of 1,311 Ahmadi students, 563 of whom attend university, 178 attend college and 412 attend high school. Nationwide events, programmes and other activities held by AMSA Canada were also briefly detailed.
Following this, a research presentation was delivered by a student currently in medical school. The topic of the presentation was on practicing immunotherapy response in lung cancer patients. Huzooraa took a keen interest in the presentation while commenting on various research and slides. The student, through his research, concluded that there was a clear correlation between smokers and lung cancer. Keeping this research in mind, Huzooraa said it was Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya’s responsibility to now try and reduce the number of Khuddam who smoke.
After the presentation, the students sought guidance from Huzooraa and also had the opportunity to ask questions on various matters. One student, who is studying political science, asked how students could best utilise and manage their time. Huzooraa provided a very effective and simple technique to be productive and develop a good routine.
Huzooraa advised to write down every single activity throughout the day for a week and the amount of time spent on each activity. For example, Huzooraa said to write whether one ate breakfast and how long they spent eating breakfast, or how much time was spent in the library or chatting with friends etc. By doing this, Huzooraa explained that a detailed and insightful picture of one’s day would be made apparent and so a daily routine could easily then be drawn up according to the information they recorded.
Another student expressed that at some academic and professional organisations in Canada, during interviews or other events, people are asked whether they believe in or support the LGBTQ+ community. The student further said that a student at a certain university was held back a year because he did not support the LGBTQ+ community’s views. The student asked Huzooraa what one should do in such a situation and the best way to handle.
In response, Huzooraa said that such actions against someone who does not agree with the LGBTQ+ community is against freedom of expression. There is no justice in it as it should be a personal choice for someone who wishes to support a cause or not. If there is freedom of speech and thinking, then why does supporting or not supporting a certain cause matter with regard to one’s academic future? Huzooraa further stated that if someone is not granted admission into the university on these grounds, then the matter can be taken to court as it goes against freedom of speech, expression and thought.
A biochemistry student at York University, who aspires to go into genetic research and study the origins of life, mentioned that the Holy Quran talks about many great civilisations that were before us and who held more power and strength, but were destroyed by a “a single blast”.
The student asked Huzooraa if it could have been possible that these civilisations reached a peak of technological advancements similar to the atomic bomb and, as a result, wiped themselves out from the surface of the earth and that is why we have no trace left of them.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said that it could be possible but there is no proof of this as of yet. Huzooraa said to the student that if he has any theories or finds research on this, then he can present it.
A student who recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science at York University asked Huzooraa for advice for those Waqifeen-e-Nau who are the only children in their families and want to serve the Jamaat but also feel the duty to look after their parents. Answering the khadim, Huzooraa stated that if their parents have given their children to the Jamaat, the children should fulfil the promise.
Huzooraa further stated that they should sincerely ask themselves what they felt was best to do. Principally, if a Waqif-e-Nau has vowed to serve the Jamaat, then they should serve the Jamaat as everything else becomes secondary. If they do not wish to fulfil their promise, then they are free to leave.
Alluding to the dangerous state of the world today, a student asked about the likelihood of another world war breaking out. Huzooraa stated that for the last 15 years, he had been warning people that if the world continued as it was, the world, as we know it, would lead itself to another world war. The student then asked what the response should be of Ahmadi Muslims to which Huzooraa said that prayer is the only thing we can do.
The mulaqat concluded with a chance for group pictures with Huzooraa.