On Sunday, 17 January 2021, the national amila of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya UK had the opportunity to meet with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa and seek his invaluable guidance and direction.
The meeting started with dua led by Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa, after which Amir Jamaat UK, Rafiq Hayat Sahib reported that 26 national secretaries were present, out of a total of 38 secretaries. Amir Sahib also reported that seven of the 15 regional amirs were able to attend.
The amila members then began to introduce themselves to Huzooraa.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked Secretary Tarbiyat, Nisar Orchard Sahib what the tarbiyat department’s plan was for the year, to which Nisar Sahib said that they continued to engage with all jamaats and regions for tarbiyat sessions and shared platforms with other departments like rishta nata and sanat-o-tijarat.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa asked Nisar Sahib if all tarbiyat secretaries from all Jamaats were cooperating and then emphasised the importance of the tarbiyat department.
Huzooraa added that those secretaries who were not cooperative and desired not to change themselves, even aft er reminders, should be relieved of their duties. Nisar Sahib confirmed that this would be immediately implemented.
To Secretary Sanat-o-Tijarat, Ahmad Salam Sahib, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said sanat-o-tijarat department should not be spending more and earning less. Huzooraa then recommended that even if small, a business can be started, for example an agricultural farm.
Jonathan Butterworth Sahib, Additional Secretary Tarbiyat for new converts reported there were currently 237 new converts in the UK, since 2018.
Huzooraa asked about the activities being held for new converts in the last year. Jonathan Sahib reported that an ijtema was recently held for new converts, weekly Quran classes were held to teach new converts the recitation of the Holy Quran and local missionaries were utilised to teach new coverts too.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked Jonathan Sahib if the new converts were still attached to the Jamaat and continued in their belief in Islam Ahmadiyyat. The secretary confirmed the vast majority of converts were attached, were Ahmadis and all believed in the message of the Promised Messiahas.
Speaking with Fahim Anwar Sahib, Secretary Waqf-e-Jadid, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said, “Masha-Allah … This year you collected almost two hundred and something thousand pounds more than the last year?”
Fahim Anwer Sahib confirmed this number and Huzooraa, with a smile, responded by noting, “But the German Jamaat collected almost the same amount, but you are fortunate enough to have held the first position.”
Munawar Ahmad Sahib, Secretary Wasaya introduced himself next and gave details of the number of musis and other details related to his department. Upon completing the report, Huzooraa remarked, “Masha-Allah, masha-Allah; you have done well.”
Speaking with Hafiz Fazle Rabbi Sahib, Secretary Talim-ul-Quran and Waqf-e-Arzi, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa instructed, “First you should concentrate more on the amila members of all the central organisations – Khuddam, Ansar, Lajna and the Jamaat as well. And then the regional and local amila members and then other people. If they participate in this waqf-e-arzi scheme, then others will follow them.”
Addressing Mubashar Ahmad Sahib, Additional Secretary Finance, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that those who could not pay or did not pay the current prescribed chanda amount should write to Huzooraa directly to be pardoned from the prescribed rate. Huzooraa said to encourage members to pay chanda according to their actual income and then leave it to those members to do so with taqwa.
After all the introductions had ended, Amir Sahib UK then said that three presentations were on the agenda to show Huzooraa. The first presentation was a detailed video tour of the new Baitul Futuh complex and the progress thus far. Huzooraa closely watched the video tour and asked questions to Irfan Qureishi Sahib, Secretary Jaidad.
When the video tour ended, Huzooraa asked when the complex would be completed, to which Irfan Sahib said that it would take another year.
The next presentation was by the finance department in which various figures were given about Zakat, Chanda Aam, Wasiyyat and Jalsa Salana collections and also other aspects of the department.
The Waqf-e-Nau department presented a detailed report in which various aspects of Waqf-e-Nau UK, including the total membership, events held, future plans and the demographics of Waqf-e-Nau of the UK were highlighted.
Huzooraa asked about efforts in encouraging Waqf-e-Nau to enter the civil service and said that the secretary talim should also make a comprehensive plan to encourage Ahmadi students to enter the civil service.
When looking at the slide showing the number of Waqf-e-Nau who regularly listened to Huzoor’s Friday Sermon, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said, “The number of girls listening to my khutba is more than boys. Take help from Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya in this regard.”
Secretary Waqf-e-Nau, Masroor Ahmad Sahib, also reported on the Waqf-e-Nau department’s efforts towards encouraging Waqf-e-Nau boys to attend Jamia and promoting the field of medicine for all members.
Hafiz Fazle Rabbi Sahib then presented a report on ITQA – the International Talim-ul-Quran Academy. He reported to Huzooraa that a total of 464 students from 15 countries were registered with the academy. The total number of teachers is 145 and currently, there are 43 classes. The courses of the academy include the translation of the Quran and the recitation of the Quran.
Speaking of the Quran’s translation, Huzooraa said “The translation of the Quran by Mir Ishaaq Sahibra is also coming in the manzoor font very soon, insha-Allah, and the print and everything is very unique this time. Try to give the translation of the Quran to each and every student who can read Urdu so that they can learn the translation as well in a better way.”
Amir Sahib said the presentations had come to an end to which Huzooraa, with a smile, responded by saying, “And that also brings the mulaqat time to an end”, after which Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa extended salaam to everyone.