On Sunday, 4 May 2025, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, graced the Jamia Ahmadiyya convocation ceremony – including graduates from the UK, Germany, Canada and Ghana – held on the Jamia Ahmadiyya UK campus in Haslemere. While the UK, Canada, and Germany graduates were physically present, the graduates and representatives from Ghana joined virtually.
This year, graduates of three jamias received their Shahid’s degrees from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa; 14 graduates from Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada (class of 2024), 16 from Jamia Ahmadiyya Germany (class of 2024) and 18 from Jamia Ahmadiyya UK (class of 2024). 24 graduates of Jamia Ahmadiyya Ghana (class of 2025), who joined the session via video link, were presented their degrees with the permission of Huzooraa by the Amir of Ghana, Noor Mohammed Bin Salih Sahib.
The session commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Faris Ahmad Nasim Sahib, who recited verses 160-164 of Surah al-An‘am, and Hafiz Syed Abdul Hadi Sahib presented the Urdu translation. Abdul Haye Sarmad Sahib was then called to recite an Urdu poem written by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra.
Representatives of the four jamias, i.e., Fareed Ahmad Naveed Sahib, Principal Jamia Ahmadiyya Ghana (via livestream from Ghana); Daud Hanif Sahib, Principal Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada; Shamshad Ahmad Qamar Sahib, Principal Jamia Ahmadiyya Germany; and Zaheer Ahmad Khan Sahib, Academic Director Jamia UK, presented their brief reports respectively.
Thereafter, Zaheer Khan Sahib announced the names of all graduates and the three classes came up one by one to receive their Shahid’s degrees from Huzooraa.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa then came to the podium to deliver his address to the graduates. After reciting tashahhud, ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Huzooraa said:
“Alhamdulillah! Today, you are departing with your Shahid’s degrees. The principals of various jamias have presented their reports, which are indeed very heartening. They have also expressed the hope that Allah the Almighty will grant us the ability to continue fulfilling the true purpose of Jamia in the future as well, and that you will emerge as genuine soldiers of faith, tasked with spreading the message of Allah and His Messengersa throughout the world.
“May Allah enable their pious wishes and prayers – and the sentiments they expressed in their reports, as well as those they wished to express but were unable to due to time constraints – to be fully realised.” Amin.
Huzooraa stated that this is indeed a joyous occasion, and the parents of the graduates share in this happiness. However, the graduates must reflect deeply on certain questions: Are they truly prepared to serve the Jamaat? Have they fully equipped themselves with the necessary knowledge to serve Islam effectively? Are they making every effort to gain a thorough mastery over the writings of the Promised Messiahas?
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa admonished that if the graduates fail to continuously study the Holy Quran, Hadith, and the writings of the Promised Messiahas, they will gradually lose their command and will be unable to effectively counter opponents or respond to critical questions. Therefore, they must remain committed to advancing their knowledge and deepening their study. He advised the graduates to pledge that they will persistently strive to increase their knowledge and wisdom.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa emphasised that true knowledge and insight cannot be attained without the help of Allah the Almighty. Thus, the graduates must also excel in their worship, seeking closeness to God. As their speeches reference the exemplary lives of the Companions of the Holy Prophetsa and the Promised Messiahas, the missionaries should themselves aspire to reach those high standards. Huzooraa said:
“So, on this joyous occasion today, make a pledge that as you step into practical life, you will strive to bring about a new kind of transformation within yourselves. Your priorities will not be worldly desires, but rather the pursuit of spiritual and intellectual advancement. When this becomes your focus, you will undoubtedly be counted among those who are striving to fulfil the mission of the Promised Messiahas – a mission about which he has repeatedly reminded members of the Jamaat, emphasising that this is how it ought to be.”
Huzooraa emphasised that the graduates must critically assess whether they are meeting the expectations set before them. In addition, missionaries should be well-versed in the Jamaat’s rules, regulations, and administrative structure. They must have a thorough understanding of the Jamaat’s principles and its various departments.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa highlighted that one of the key departments is the Majlis-e-Shura, and it is essential for missionaries to be familiar with its regulations. He recounted an incident where a missionary was unaware of the Shura’s procedures, underscoring the importance of acquiring comprehensive knowledge of all departments.
Huzooraa advised that a missionary’s effectiveness depends not only on spiritual dedication but also on a clear understanding of the organisational framework.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa urged the missionaries to reflect deeply on their personal spiritual discipline: Are they regularly offering at least an hour of Tahajjud prayer? Are they consistent and diligent in performing the five daily prayers? Are they fulfilling their nawafil (voluntary prayers) properly? He further encouraged them to evaluate whether they are actively striving to enhance their knowledge and understanding.
Huzooraa stressed the importance of time management based on hours, advising missionaries to assess how their time is allocated: How many hours are dedicated to tabligh? How much time is devoted to the tarbiyat of the Jamaat members? How much effort is made to help children of the Jamaat in learning and reciting the Holy Quran? Huzooraa reminded them that their time does not belong to themselves, but to the Jamaat, and they must devote it wholeheartedly to serving its members.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa stated:
“You who are seated before me today are new missionaries. Reflect on the fact that you have devoted yourselves for the sake of Allah and made a solemn pledge; therefore, you must now strive to fulfil that pledge.”
Huzooraa advised that new missionaries should carefully observe and emulate good examples, while disregarding any negative ones. Missionaries are expected to be role models; otherwise, merely earning a degree holds little significance, as it can be achieved with relatively modest effort.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa also reminded those working in administrative offices that they, too, must continue to enhance and refine their knowledge, as they might one day be appointed to fieldwork. He noted that opponents of Islam continuously raise new allegations, and missionaries must be well-prepared to respond effectively.
Huzooraa reiterated that wherever missionaries are posted, they must remain steadfast in deepening their study of the Holy Quran, Hadith, and the writings of the Promised Messiahas. This commitment must persist even after graduating from Jamia.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa further advised missionaries to cultivate self-control, patience, and maintain the highest moral standards. They should not become agitated by people’s questions, nor should they react with impatience or harshness. Instead, missionaries must embody exemplary conduct, setting a standard for their own children and fostering understanding and respect from their spouses, who will recognise them as true spiritual guides.
Huzooraa pointed out that today, missionaries’ living expenses are well provided for – something that was not always the case. He cited his own experience in Ghana, where missionaries lived on minimal allowances yet never voiced complaints. He encouraged today’s missionaries to reflect on how best to show gratitude to Allah and underscored that simplicity remains a vital quality for every missionary.
Addressing the graduates from Ghana, Huzooraa noted that the facilities and comforts available today were absent in the past, yet earlier missionaries served happily and with dedication. He urged present-day missionaries to remain thankful to Allah the Almighty.
Huzooraa said:
“Everyone should always reflect on this – whether they are still studying, have just graduated today, or are already serving in the field – that we must uphold our dedication in a manner that is purely for the sake of Allah’s pleasure. We must not allow any worldly desires to dominate us, no matter where we are posted. At all times, we must be prepared to sacrifice and devote ourselves fully to the work of faith.”
Huzooraa admonished that if missionaries remain fully prepared to fulfil the responsibilities of the Jamaat, they will naturally lead the way in completing tasks across all departments.
At the end, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“You must understand your responsibilities […] and keep yourselves ever ready for every sacrifice. This is the pledge that truly brings lasting joy – not merely receiving a certificate at today’s ceremony.
“Such pledges, when made sincerely, are the ones that transform the world. You have joined the army of life devotees of the Promised Messiahas, with the purpose of establishing the sovereignty of the One God across the world and raising the flag of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, in every corner of the earth.
“Therefore, if you have made this pledge, you must also make practical efforts to fulfil it. When such efforts are made, they will make you inheritors of Allah’s grace. And when one attains the grace of Allah, what more could one desire? May Allah enable you and all of us to be among those who receive these blessings.” Amin.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa then led everyone in silent prayer, bringing the convocation ceremony to a conclusion.
(Summary prepared by Al Hakam)