Kashif Virk, Missionary, Sweden
On 29 August 2020, members of the national majlis-e-amila and five local amilas representing different cities of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sweden were granted a virtual meeting and audience with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper. A total of 134 members of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sweden were participants of this historical event and convened in the Masroor Hall in Malmö, adjacent to the iconic Mahmood mosque, for this mulaqat.
The mulaqat took place the very day after political activists set a copy of Holy Quran on fire and desecrated it in the city. Huzooraa condemned this atrocity and added:
“The truth is that most people in Sweden and other Western countries remain unaware of the true teachings of Islam and this enables extremists to take individual verses of the Holy Quran completely out of context for the sake of their false propaganda. People who conduct such hateful acts have no knowledge of Islam or what the actual conditions laid down in the Holy Quran are for Jihad. They ignore the fact that the Bible has many more verses that can be taken out of context and used to justify the use of force. Regardless, it is the duty of Ahmadi Muslims to introduce and exemplify the true and peaceful teachings of Islam in each and every city and town so that people understand the reality of our religion.” (www.pressahmadiyya.com/press-releases/2020/08/head-of-ahmadiyya-muslim-community-strongly-condemns-horrific-act-of-quran-burning-in-malmo/)
On this occasion, Huzooraa granted invaluable guidance to different office bearers of the Jamaat.
During the mulaqat, Huzooraa said that office bearers of the Jamaat should serve according to the guidelines set out by the Holy Quran where it states that believers should fulfil their obligations and entrusted responsibilities. They should give their department adequate time with equity. If they are unable to do so, they should resign whilst bearing taqwa [righteousness] in mind.
Regarding tarbiyat, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that it is the duty of the Jamaat to first make members realise that they are Ahmadi Muslims and, as a result, certain responsibilities are placed upon them as Ahmadi Muslims. Then they should be instructed about the teachings of the Holy Quran and to obtain a relation with Allah the Almighty by following those teachings.
In a response to National Secretary Tabligh on how to conduct tabligh in the prevailing circumstances, Huzooraa said:
“During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has greatly increased its efforts to spread Islam through online tabligh. Certainly, more online events should be organised in which questions others may have about Islam or our teachings are answered … Furthermore, we should warn other people that we firmly believe that this pandemic should draw the attention of mankind back towards God Almighty. All signs point to the fact that even once the pandemic comes to an end there will be a worldwide economic crisis which will result in increased competition and rivalries between nations. Such tensions could easily pave the way for further injustices and, God forbid, ultimately ignite and lead to warfare and conflict.” (www.pressahmadiyya.com/press-releases/2020/08/head-of-ahmadiyya-muslim-community-strongly-condemns-horrific-act-of-quran-burning-in-malmo/)
During the mulaqat, Huzooraa enquired whether the message of the Jamaat had reached 10% of the population of major cities or not? Members of the public should be able to distinguish between Ahmadi Muslims and other Muslims in society. Huzooraa also instructed that whenever the restrictions for the ongoing pandemic are lightened and a window emerges, the Jamaat should find its way out in the public and approach people directly as well.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa focused especially on the upbringing of youth and that it is the responsibility of the Jamaat to make them realise that they should choose life partners from within the Jamaat. The Jamaat should make a collective effort in establishing strong relations with the youth. Many youngsters of the Jamaat distance themselves when they observe a difference between the words and deeds of office bearers. Huzooraa also instructed that events be arranged according to the preferences of these youth, and that a committee of educated young members should be established for this purpose.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa concluded the meeting by stating that although he had addressed the national office bearers in the meeting only, the guidelines applied equally to the local office bearers present.
May Allah the Almighty enable Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sweden to follow the instructions of our beloved Imamaa and fulfil his expectations. Amin
