A delegation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Finland completed a four-day tarbiyat and tabligh tour, led by Shahid Mahmood Kahloon Sahib, Missionary-In-Charge Finland. The principal aims were to strengthen contact with Jamaat members, present the newly published Finnish translation of the Holy Quran to important institutions and establish constructive relations with libraries, media representatives and religious leaders across the country.
Travelling from Helsinki, the delegation covered approximately 3,000 kilometres and spent around 41 hours on the road. During the tour, 20 copies of the Finnish translation of the Holy Quran were presented in eight cities to libraries, public institutions, journalists and religious leaders.
The first stop was Vaasa, approximately 400 kilometres from Helsinki. Local members warmly welcomed the delegation and several hours were spent with them. After lunch and the congregational Zuhr and Asr prayers, the delegation continued approximately 300 kilometers north to Oulu, where members of the local Jamaat were gathered to meet the delegation. After dinner and offering Maghrib and Isha prayers, some good discussions were held.
The following morning, the first meeting took place at Oulu City Library, where the delegation met Ms Erika, a journalist associated with the BBC. She was introduced to the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and its activities in Finland. Also, a copy of the English translation of the Holy Quran was presented to her. Ms Erika appreciated the Jamaat’s efforts to promote peace, love and religious harmony in Finland. She expressed her willingness to support future initiatives and to write about the Jamaat’s activities in the press.
The delegation then met the library representative and provided an introduction to the Jamaat and its work. Two copies of the Finnish translation of the Holy Quran were presented for the library’s collection. The library representative agreed to hold a Quran exhibition at the library.
During the Oulu visit, a faith-inspiring opportunity came across. The members approached a man sitting on a bench who appeared to be Muslim and introduced himself. The man, named Abdul Rehman, explained that he had accepted Islam around 20 years ago after reading the English translation of the Holy Quran by Sir Muhammad Zafrulla Khan (ra). It was deeply moving to learn that this translation had reached a remote northern region of Finland more than two decades ago already. A warm discussion followed in which Abdul Rehman Sahib was introduced to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and the advent of the Promised Messiah (as). He was presented with a Finnish translation of the Holy Quran.
Following the successful meetings in Oulu, the delegation travelled approximately 550 kilometres farther north towards Inari, an important centre in the Sámi region of northern Europe. After a journey of about 10 hours, the delegation reached Inari. The next morning, the delegation visited the Sámi Parliament Library and presented a Finnish translation of the Holy Quran.
The delegation then visited the office of the local newspaper Inarilainen and met the chief editor, Mr Jaakko Peltomaa. He showed considerable interest in the Jamaat’s activities for peace and mutual understanding throughout Finland. When he was presented with a Finnish translation of the Holy Quran, Mr Jaakko said with delight that he was holding the Holy Quran for the very first time in his life. He also expressed an intention to publish an article about the Jamaat’s nationwide campaign and its message, “Love for all, hatred for none.”
The delegation next visited Ivalo City Library and met chief librarian Ms Virpi Veskoniemi, who oversees several libraries in the region. She listened with great interest to an introduction to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, its humanitarian service, interfaith work and efforts to establish peace.
The delegation then visited Ivalo Church and met its priest, Mr Tuomo Huusko. When presented with a Finnish translation of the Holy Quran, he described the gift as an honour. At the conclusion of the meeting, he presented the Missionary-In-Charge with a Sámi-language Bible as a gesture of mutual respect and interfaith harmony.
After completing the meetings in Inari and Ivalo, the delegation travelled approximately 326 kilometres to Rovaniemi and met local members of the Jamaat. The following morning, on Friday, the delegation visited Rovaniemi City Library. The librarian warmly received the delegation and took a keen interest in the Jamaat’s global work. A Finnish translation of the Holy Quran was presented and accepted with great appreciation.
The delegation then began the journey south. After travelling around 350 kilometres, it reached Kajaani and then a further 200 kilometres to Kuopio and met local members, who were encouraged to maintain a strong connection with the Jamaat.
After the completion of all scheduled programmes, the delegation travelled a further 400 kilometres to Helsinki, arriving safely at around 2:30 am, close to the time of Fajr prayer. The libraries and public institutions visited receive an estimated combined daily footfall of around 1,500 people.