Mohammad Arsalan, Belgium Correspondent
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Belgium had the opportunity to host New Year receptions across different parts of Belgium. The purpose of the receptions was to convey the true teachings of Islam Ahmadiyyat to locals.
On 11 January 2020, a reception was held in Lier that was attended by political and other dignitaries. The programme started at 4pm. During the first 30 minutes, guests were given a tour of the Holy Quran and Islam exhibitions.
After recitation of the Holy Quran, a welcome address was presented to the guests by Dr Idrees Ahmad Sahib, Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Belgium. He wished everyone a happy new year and expressed good wishes for the upcoming year.
The first speech was given by regional Missionary and Sadr Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya, Tauseef Ahmed Sahib on “The Introduction of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya and how to establish true justice and peace in the world”.
The second speech was delivered by Behzad Iqbal Sahib on “A man of peace”.
Another speech was delivered by our guest speaker Mr Ivo Anderies, representative of the Mayor of Lier, in which he appreciated the Jamaat’s work and conveyed good wishes.
At the end of the programme, the guests were shown a documentary about the Jamaat which was followed by dinner. The total attendance was 107 non-Ahmadi guests and, with the grace of Allah the Almighty, one guest named Mr Michael was so impressed by the presentations and speeches that he accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat as the truth and took Bai‘at.
Mr Michael expressed that he was looking for the right path for some time, and now he had found it. He really appreciated the Jamaat’s work and was moved by the efforts of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper.
On 17 January 2020, a reception was held in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium. The programme started with the recitation of the Holy Quran followed by two speeches. An introduction to Islam Ahmadiyyat was the first speech and the second was about solutions offered by the Jamaat to world problems.
Following this, a documentary was shown about the activities of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Belgium.
Next, Mr Marc Leroi, Priest of the Basilica Church expressed his thoughts about the event. Silent prayer and a dinner marked the end of the event. A total of 43 non-Ahmadi guests attended.
On 18 January 2020, three receptions were held in Turnhout, Dilbeek and Eupen. After a tour of the Holy Quran and Islam exhibitions, the formal sessions started with the recitation of the Holy Quran followed by the translation in the local language.
Thereafter, speeches were delivered by missionaries of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Belgium on various topics. A documentary was also shown about the activities of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. Many politicians who attended spoke positivley about the Jamaat activities.
At the end of each event, a group of young Atfal recited the national anthem, something that was very much appreciated by the guests.
The event in Turnhout was presided by Dr Idrees Ahmad Sahib, Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Belgium. The reception in Eupen was presided by Missionary-in-Charge, Hafiz Ehsan Secundar Sahib, while Asad Majeeb Sahib, General Secretary of Jamaat Belgium presided the reception in Dilbeek.
123 non-ahmadi guests attended the reception in Turnhout, 32 in Eupen and 33 in Dilbeek.