The national Lajna Imaillah amila of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sweden met with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa in a virtual mulaqat on 20 November 2021.
After conveying his salaam, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa led everyone in dua (silent prayer). During the mulaqat, all amila members had the opportunity to introduce themselves and give a brief report on their duties.
The first to report was Huma Zaffar Sahiba, General Secretary. Whilst speaking with her, Huzooraa asked if it was no longer compulsory to wear masks, to which she replied in the affirmative and said that wearing masks was no longer mandatory.
Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “At least you all should [wear masks]. Apply Vicks [a vapour rub that contains eucalyptus oil and camphor] to the nose.”
Whilst presenting her report, Huma Sahiba said that there were 10 majalis, which were divided into three regions. She added that there were 499 Lajna members in total.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa asked how many majalis sent their reports on a regular basis. The general secretary replied that all majalis sent their reports regularly.
Huzooraa further asked if remarks were sent back to the majalis. “Try to get the reports regularly,” Huzooraa said. “The reports should be truthful, there should be no tall tales, nor should a report or form be filled merely for the sake of receiving appreciation.”
Amatul Noor Sahiba, Naib General Secretary, was next to report. Huzooraa humorously asked if the general secretary did any work or if she made her do all the work. Amatul Noor Sahiba replied that they both worked together. Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “Masha-Allah.”
Aneesa Sahiba, Secretary Talim (Education), said that for the past year, they were focusing on Conditions of Bai’at and Responsibilities of an Ahmadi, a book by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. Huzooraa then asked what the plan was after that, to which Aneesa Sahiba replied that they were then going to focus on various other important topics such as respecting parents and other timely topics. She stated, for example, when the month of Muharram arrives, they would focus on topics related to Muharram. Likewise, as the year continued, timely topics would be the main highlight.
Secretary talim stated that various study circles were made to ensure and help other Lajna members to study and learn. She further asked what other method could be utilised. Whilst speaking about encouraging more Lajna members to join talim activities, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said, “First start with the amila – you must start from home. You all consider yourselves officers and do not participate whereas everyone should participate, including the sadr.”
Aaliya Sahiba, Secretary Tarbiyat (Moral Training) was next to report. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked her how many, from the age of 15-30, observed purdah properly. Aaliya Sahiba replied that some people lacked in observing purdah.
Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “This commandment is not mine or anyone else’s, this commandment of the veil is the commandment of the Holy Quran; just as offering Salat is a commandment of the Holy Quran, belief in the unseen is a commandment of the Holy Quran, financial sacrifice is a commandment of the Holy Quran, observing purdah is a commandment of the Holy Quran, fasting is a commandment of the Holy Quran and belief in all Prophets is a commandment of the Holy Quran. The tarbiyat department should ensure that these clear commandments are followed.”
Huzooraa further stated the importance of reading The Will. Huzooraa said, “Read The Will […] Read it many times so that you remember the references. When you remember [the references], then you will act according to it.”
Huzooraa stated that the book, The Will, covered a variety of topics. When one reads the book, one learns about “the purpose of the Promised Messiah’s advent, and the purpose of Khilafat is covered [in the book], the need of Khilafat is covered and its importance, righteousness [is discussed in the book]”.
Speaking with Mahjabeen Rasheed, Secretary Khidmat-e-Khalq (Service to Humanity) Huzooraa said that funds should be collected for the less fortunate in Africa. Rashidah Sahiba replied in the affirmative and that the department was able to accomplish raising funds for this purpose last year.
Tayyabah Sahiba, Secretary Mal (Finance) was next to report. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa stated that this was a very important department and further asked how many Lajna members gave chanda. She replied that of the 499 members, 400 gave chanda.
Next, whilst offering guidance to Zara Sahiba, Muhasiba Mal (Auditor), Huzooraa stated that she should look into the budget matters and see what the best method was to spend the money appropriately where needed.
Fazeela Sahiba, Secretary Nasirat, reported that there were 97 nasirat. She stated that there were 36 nasirat aged between 8-10, 40 nasirat between 10-13 years of age, and 11 nasirat between 13-15 years of age.
Huzooraa said, “Between the age 12-15, if you explain to them the Jamaat’s traditions – purdah, hijab, dressing modestly – and explain to them why we are Ahmadis and the traditions of Ahmadiyyat; what religion teaches, what Islam teaches, what the Quran teaches us – and tell them that we must act upon [its commandment], then when they grow up, they will remain firm [in faith]; provided that these matters are thoroughly explained at this age.”
Sultana Sahiba, Secretary Sanat-o-Dastkari (Industry and Handicraft) reported that a total of 18 online classes and competitions were held. She added that in collaboration with the department of khidmat-e-khalq, food was prepared and distributed to the less fortunate. Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “Well done.”
Azra Farhat Sahiba, Secretary Tabligh (Preaching) reported that each majlis (10 majalis in total) was given a target of one bai‘at. Azra Sahiba reported that various methods of tabligh were utilised such as holding seminars, coffee mornings and discussions on various topics.
Amatul Quddus Sahiba, Secretary Ishaat (Publications) reported that the Maryam Magazine was regularly printed. Huzooraa asked how many articles were published in the magazine, to which she replied that 10-12 were published. She further said that this magazine was in two parts, both in Swedish and Urdu.
Aisha Sahiba, Secretary Tajnid (Census) stated that the total tajnid, combining the nasirat, was 598. She reported that there were 499 Lajna members, 97 nasirat and two nau mubai‘aat (new converts). Hearing this, Huzooraa instructed her to add the two nau mubai‘aat to the mainstream of the tajnid as they were Lajna members.
Speaking with Shabana Naseer Sahiba, Secretary Ziafat (Hospitality), Huzooraa asked what dishes were prepared for the amila members, to which she replied that palak gosht, roast chicken, pilau rice and firni were prepared.
Huzooraa advised that one should refrain from eating a lot of garam masala.
Shayeen Sahiba, Secretary Sehat-e-Jismani (Physical Health) was next to give her report. Whilst speaking with her, Huzooraa asked what sports she played, to which she replied that she used to play basketball and volleyball a lot in Pakistan, prior to coming to Sweden. Huzooraa asked if the Lajna members also did sports and told Shayeen Sahiba to ensure that the amila members also exercised. “If nothing else, they should at least walk for two or three miles,” Huzooraa said.
Mona Virk Sahiba, Secretary Nau Mubai‘aat reported that there were two new converts. She added that sessions to look after their tarbiyat were held and that there were also 13 other non-Urdu speaking members who also joined the class.
Ablah Nikhat Sahiba, Umur-e-Talibat (Student Affairs) was next to report. Huzooraa asked her if she was also studying, to which she replied that she had completed her studies in electrical engineering. She reported that there were 42 Lajna members currently studying in universities. After asking how many were studying medicine, Huzooraa said, “Encourage girls to become doctors.”
Next, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa asked Muneera Sahiba, Muawina Sadr and In-charge Rishta Nata (Marriage Department) how many matches were successfully made and had matured. She replied that two were successfully made in the past three years.
Hafiza Sahiba, Muawina Sadr Wasiyyat, reported that there were 168 musis from among Lajna members. Huzooraa emphasised the importance of reading The Will.
Rabia Haseeb Sahiba, Muawina Sadr and In-charge Waqifaat-e-Nau, reported that there were 138 waqifaat-e-nau. There were 42 waqifaat-e-nau under the age of seven, 27 in mayar-e-daum, 24 in mayar-e-awal and 27 nasirat. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated that the waqifaat-e-nau should be encouraged to study and then do waqf.
Maliha Sahiba, Regional Sadr Gothenburg, reported that there were three majalis in Gothenburg consisting of 216 members.
Speaking with Amatul Haseeb Sahiba, Secretary Tahrik-e-Jadid and Waqf-e-Jadid, Huzooraa asked how the Lajna contribution was to Tahrik-e-Jadid and Waqf-e-Jadid, to which she replied that the contribution was good.
After this, the national amila had the opportunity to pose questions to Huzooraa and seek guidance on various matters.
Rakhshanda Tehseen Sahiba, Sadr Lajna Imaillah Sweden stated that during the Covid pandemic, online classes were held. However, ever since the restrictions were eased, the attendance was not as it was for online classes. Hearing this, Huzooraa said that people had been accustomed to staying at home and offering Salat and attending meetings at home. Huzooraa advised that they ought to be encouraged to come to the mosque and slowly they should be helped into attending meetings. Huzooraa also said that they should continue holding the online classes too.
Upon being asked how one could encourage youth to give preference to religion when finding a suitable partner, Huzooraa said that this was the duty of the tarbiyat department. The youth’s tarbiyat should be done in such a manner that they give precedence to religion over worldly matters. This was also the duty of Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya to do the khuddam’s tarbiyat in the same manner. Huzooraa said that this was also the duty of the mothers.
Next, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa was asked about suggestions made during a shura and how long they should be implemented for. Answering this, Huzooraa said that some suggestions were temporary, while some were not. For example, Huzooraa said that if a suggestion was made in a shura to help people offer Salat and recite the Holy Quran regularly, then such things were not just to be done for one or two years.
An amila member informed Huzooraa that on some occasions, when reports were not sent on time by a majlis in Sweden, the collective report that is to be sent to the markaz was delayed. She asked Huzooraa what could be done in this regard. Huzooraa said that once a date had been set for them to send their report to the markaz, one must send it regardless of the one or two majalis that had not sent their reports. It should be stated in the markaz report how many majalis did not send their reports.
Next, an amila member said that she had two children whom she encouraged to play with Muslim children in school.
Hearing this, Huzooraa said that they should play with everyone and not just Muslim children. Huzooraa said that they should interact with everyone. They should be told, ‘You may play with everyone; however, also remember that you are a Muslim. And we, as Muslims, offer Salat when it is time – this is Allah the Almighty’s commandment and He is pleased when we do this.’”
With regard to nasirat who entered Lajna Imaillah, an amila member said that classes and discussions were held to keep them close and attached to the Jamaat; however, new Lajna members would feel shy and resultantly, a gap would slowly be formed between new Lajna members and previous members. She asked for guidance on this matter.
Answering, Huzooraa said that a naibah should be appointed who was near their age group to help the new Lajna members integrate. Slowly, Huzooraa said, when they reached 18 to 19 years of age, they would feel comfortable to mix freely.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then conveyed his salaam to everyone and the mulaqat successfully ended.
(Please note that the report prepared above by Al Hakam is a summary and does not intend to cover every detail of the event)