On 6 February 2022, the national amila of Jamaat New Zealand, Majlis Ansarullah’s amila and Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya’s amila met Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa in a joint virtual mulaqat.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa started the meeting by leading everyone in silent prayer. Huzooraa, after observing the time, said, “Now, you have entered Monday […] [you all] must be feeling sleepy at this time.” Bashir Khan Sahib, the national president, replied that they were looking forward to the mulaqat and did not feel sleepy.
Huzooraa then spoke to the members present and asked them about their duties while also giving valuable guidance on how to improve their work.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, while speaking with Yunus Hanif Sahib, Naib Sadr and Chairman of Humanity First New Zealand, asked if he had any special tasks assigned to him by Sadr Sahib. He replied that he was given the responsibility of coordinating with local jamaats in New Zealand. He said that there were seven jamaats across New Zealand. Huzooraa asked him if he was from Fiji; to which he replied in the affirmative.
Next, Dr Nadeem Ahmad Sahib, National General Secretary and Sadr Majlis Ansarullah New Zealand, presented his report. He said that there was a total of seven jamaats in New Zealand, with Auckland being the largest. He added that Auckland was divided into four jamaats, and that three jamaats were outside Auckland. Dr Nadeem Ahmad Sahib added that some refugees had settled into new cities, and so they had planned to extend the number of jamaats. Hearing this, Huzooraa asked, “Are they settled according to their own choice or is the government going to settle them as they like?”
Dr Nadeem Ahmad Sahib replied that the government usually settled the refugees and that they asked the Jamaat for feedback to see which areas the Jamaat could help them in settling.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa then asked how many missionaries there were in New Zealand; to which he replied that there were three. Huzooraa asked if the largest jamaat in Auckland was around the central mosque. Dr Nadeem Ahmad Sahib reported that the total tajnid of New Zealand was 706 with the vast majority residing in Auckland.
Further speaking with Dr Nadeem Ahmad Sahib, Huzooraa asked if the seven jamaats were active in sending their reports; to which he replied that they were lacking in this matter.
Azeem Zafarullah Sahib, Sadr Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya New Zealand reported that there were 136 khuddam and 40 atfal. Hearing this, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked, “Is this all across New Zealand?”, to which Azeem Sahib replied in the affirmative. Huzooraa then said:
“Then your majlis should be an ideal majlis because you can easily approach each and every khadim. 136 is not a big number.”
Huzooraa asked if the khuddam were active, to which Azeem Zafarullah Sahib said that some were active; however, there were some who were not active. He said that New Zealand was a very mixed Jamaat with members from Fiji, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India. Huzooraa enquired how many of the khuddam were asylum seekers; to which Azeem Sahib replied that the majority of khuddam in the Waikato majlis, the upper North Island of New Zealand, had recently arrived from Malaysia and Thailand. He added that some new arrivals were currently at the refugee centre.
Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “Since they are here because of the Jamaat, they should be active in Jamaat activities. Make them realise this fact. They should not think that they have come here because of their own potential, qualities, or something like that.”
Azeem Sahib said that the Waikato majlis was very active; upon which Huzooraa said, “Now, you will have to keep them active. It should not be that after some time they become lazy.” Azeem Sahib replied in the affirmative and said that sometimes, when members started working, they tended to become inactive in Jamaat activities. To this, Huzooraa said, “Alongside jobs, they can take an active part in Jamaat activities as well as you are doing.” Huzooraa asked Azeem Zafarullah Sahib what his job was, to which he replied that he was a civil engineer. Hearing this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa remarked, “Masha-Allah!”
Muhammad Yasin Chaudhry Sahib, serving as the national secretary for Waqf-e-Nau and tarbiyat, and as naib sadr Ansarullah, was next to present his report. Hearing his departments, Huzooraa smiled and asked if there was a scarcity of workers and why he was looking after so many departments.
Huzooraa asked him what plans he had made for tarbiyat and how many men, women and children there were in New Zealand. Muhammad Yasin Chaudhry Sahib replied that there were 117 ansar, 147 khuddam, 249 Lajna members, 49 nasirat and 53 atfal. Hearing this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said: “You have 147 khuddam [written down], whilst Sadr Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya said [in his report] that there were 136 khuddam.” Huzooraa smiled and said to give the list of the extra khuddam to Sadr Sahib Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya.
Further, Huzooraa asked what the tarbiyat plan was. Muhammad Yasin Chaudhry Sahib reported that within the seven jamaats, each jamaat had one tarbiyat secretary through whom the tarbiyat department remained in contact and drew everyone’s attention to tarbiyat-related matters such as offering prayers.
Huzooraa asked if the attendance for prayer was good in the areas where missionaries were appointed; to which he replied in the affirmative and said that Waikato Jamaat’s attendance was very good. Huzooraa asked who the missionary was there, upon which Muhammad Yasin Chaudhry Sahib said that the missionary there was Sabah-ul-Zafar Sahib.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa further asked if any efforts were made to encourage people to recite the Holy Quran. Muhammad Yasin Chaudhry Sahib replied in the affirmative and said that the department regularly drew the attention of the jamaat to this. Huzooraa then asked how many Waqf-e-Nau members there were in New Zealand. Responding, Muhammad Yasin Chaudhry Sahib said that there were 140 Waqf-e-Nau members in New Zealand. Huzooraa said that New Zealand should encourage young waqifeen-e-nau to pursue Jamia and the medical field. Huzooraa added, “Every year, at least one child should be sent to Jamia.”
Ghulam Azimuddin Sahib, Secretary Tabligh was next to present his report. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked him where he was from, to which he replied that he was from Hyderabad, India. Huzooraa further enquired about the plan and what the tabligh target was. Ghulam Azimuddin Sahib that this year, they had been blessed with five bai‘ats.
Huzooraa said, “An ambitious target [for bai‘ats] should be set and new avenues should be explored for tabligh.”
Next, Shakeel Ahmad Khan Sahib, Secretary Maal, presented his report. Recognising him, Huzooraa said, “You have been the Secretary Maal for a long time.” Shakeel Ahmad Khan Sahib replied in the affirmative and said that he was serving for the last 20 years. Huzooraa said, “I hope, after having served for such a long time, you have not become lazy.” In this regard, Shakeel Ahmad Khan Sahib asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa how he could stay motivated. Huzooraa answered, “Always think that you are still young.”
After this, Huzooraa discussed various budgetary matters with Shakeel Ahmad Khan Sahib and Syed Najmus Sehar Sabzwari Sahib, the additional secretary for maal.
Muzzamil Ahmad Khan Sahib, the muhasib reported that his main role was to report expenditure and all expenses going out, and accounts payable.
Speaking with Mudasir Ahmad Khan Sahib, Secretary Tahrik-e-Jadid and Mohtamim Maal Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya, Huzooraa asked if any target was fixed for the jamaats. He replied that the target was based on the previous year’s promise. He reported that they achieved their target and also exceeded it.
Next, the secretary for wasaya, naib sadr Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya and mohtamim khidmat-e-khalq reported that there were 106 musis in New Zealand. Huzooraa asked how many, of the 106, were earning members; to which the secretary of wasaya replied that he did not have the figures available. Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “Why don’t you have [the record]. You should have [the figures]. You are a young man; a young man should adopt new methods of doing work”.
Huzooraa explained that he should have the details and the breakdown and figures for all musis.
Speaking with Secretary Jaidad, Muhammad Iqbal Sahib, Huzooraa asked how many properties were under the New Zealand Jamaat. Muhammad Iqbal Sahib answered that, at present, there was only their mosque and that work was underway for a new guest house.
Next, Secretary Waqf-e-Jadid, Qamar Bilal Ahmad Sahib reported some budgetary matters.
Ijaz Khan Sahib, Secretary Sami-o-Basri and Qaid of Manukau was next to report. Huzooraa asked him what the plan was for the year; to this, he replied that he had prepared a documentary that was sent to MTA. He added that this documentary was approved by MTA but had not yet been played. Hearing this, Huzooraa asked why it had not been played yet. Ijaz Khan Sahib replied that he emailed MTA; however, he had not received a reply yet. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said, “You have to be very much persuasive. Keep on reminding them.” Huzooraa added, “There are quite a number of places there in New Zealand, and you can make documentaries about those areas.”
Ijaz Khan Sahib replied in the affirmative and said that he was planning on making another documentary.
Irfan Sheikh, Qaid Umumi Majlis Ansarullah and the jamaat’s auditor reported that there were six majalis in New Zealand. Huzooraa asked him how often he audited the jamaat’s accounts, to which he said that he audited them once a year.
Secretary Rishta Nata, Mubarak Ahmad Khan Sahib reported that recently, two nikahs were held. He added that he would often coordinate with the UK and would send a monthly report.
Muhammad Amir Khan Sahib, Secretary Ziafat and Qaid Tajnid Majlis Ansarullah was next to report. Huzooraa asked if anything was prepared for the amila. Muhammad Amir Khan Sahib replied that the amila members were given snacks before the mulaqat. He further said that the langar khana team in New Zealand requested that he send their message of salaam to Huzooraa. Hearing this, Huzooraa replied, “Wa alaikumussalaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.”
Najm Islam Sahib, Secretary Umur-e-Ama and Motamid of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya reported that his duties were to look after health and safety hazards and disputes. He added that another part of his duty was to look for jobs and help Ahmadis who were in need of employment. As he said this, Huzooraa said, “Now you have mentioned the important [task of your department].”
Huzooraa guided him and said that a counselling desk should be made to help newcomers to find work and tell them about the various opportunities.
Hearing Nuruddin Boateng Sahib’s name, who is serving as secretary ishaat and qaid ishaat of Majlis Ansarullah, Huzooraa said, “That means you are from Ghana? Your name says that you are from Ghana.” Nuruddin Boateng Sahib replied in the affirmative and said that he was the son of Abdullah Nasir Boateng Sahib. Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “I see, you are Abdullah Nasir Boateng’s son. What do you do here [in New Zealand]?” He replied that he was a secondary school teacher. Huzooraa said, “I see, the same profession that your father had.”
Huzooraa asked if there was any Jamaat organ, magazine or newsletter. Nuruddin Boateng Sahib said that Majlis Ansarullah did; however, there was no Jamaat magazine or newsletter that was published.
Hearing this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa emphasised the importance of this and said, “Try to print [and] start some magazine for the training and tarbiyat of the Jamaat members. It should include both languages because some of the newcomers or some old Ahmadis from Pakistan may not understand or read English. So, there should be a few pages in Urdu and most of the magazine should be in English.”
After this, Huzooraa asked Nuruddin Boateng Sahib if there was a magazine for Ansarullah, to which he replied in the affirmative.
Next, Secretary Umur-e-Kharija and Qaid Maal Majlis Ansarullah, Iqbal Khan Sahib reported that in recent days, the department had two main focuses: One was helping to resettle refugees into New Zealand, and the second was trying to get registration for sponsorship of extra refugees into New Zealand. Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “Masha-Allah.”
Speaking with Secretary Talim-ul-Quran and Waqf-e-Arzi, Ijaz Ahmad Sahib, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa asked if he was the brother of Mubarak Sahib, to which he replied in the affirmative.
Huzooraa said that he should make efforts and encourage the national amila members to partake in waqf-e-arzi.
Basharat Khan Sahib, Auditor for Majlis Ansarullah said in his report that he audited on a yearly basis. Hearing this, Huzooraa said that “it should be on a quarterly basis.”
Sultan Sikandar Cheema Sahib, Qaid Sehat-e-Jismani Majlis Ansarullah was next to report his duties. Seeing him, Huzooraa said, Masha-Allah. You look like a khadim.” Sultan Sikandar Cheema Sahib replied that he entered Ansarullah last year.
Next, Saqib Ahmad Sahib, Qaid Tabligh Ansarullah, reported that the tabligh target set for the year was 10 bai‘ats.
Speaking with Imran Ahmad Sahib, Qaid Talim-ul-Quran, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that he should coordinate with the Talim-ul-Quran & Waqf-e-Arzi department and make a programme to ensure that a lot of people took part in waqf-e-arzi (temporary waqf) and ensure that everyone read the Holy Quran and were able to recite it. “Hold classes [for this]. Make a plan with the missionaries.”
Muhammad Izac Sahib, Mohtamim Talim was next to report. Huzooraa asked if any book was prescribed for the year. Muhammad Izac Sahib said that they had recently started a book club which was led by the missionaries.
Next, Furqan Mehmud Sahib, Mohtamim Ishaat reported that a magazine was currently in the works. He added that the first edition was underway.
Faraz Ahmad Sahib, Mohtamim Waqar-e-Amal reported that two sessions of waqar-e-amal (dignity of labour) were held just before Jalsa Salana. Huzooraa asked if any street cleaning was held on the first day of the year. He replied that this year, due to Covid-19, it was not possible.
Whilst speaking with Taslim Ahmad, Muavin Sadr Press & Media and Naib Motamid Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya, Huzooraa advised:
“You should also form a team of writers, those who can write in newspapers and then on social media as well, and do tabligh. They should be very much knowledgeable people and should increase their religious knowledge. Ask some missionaries to train them and then they should play their role, not only as a press & media team member but as a preacher as well.”
Next, Huzooraa spoke with Fahad Ahmad Sahib, Mohtamim Tahrik-e-Jadid Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya, regarding budgetary matters.
Speaking with Muhammad Asad Sahib, Mohtamim Sehat-e-Jismani, Huzooraa asked him what sports he played; to which he replied that he played cricket and volleyball.
Muhammad Anas Siraj-ur-Rahim Sahib, Mohtamim Tarbiyat reported that a large proportion of the majlis was regular in offering the five daily prayers. He added that around 70% were active in reciting the Holy Quran. The amila members had decided to lead from the front and the numbers of those who offer salat and recited the Holy Quran regularly were looking good. Hearing this, Huzooraa remarked, “Masha-Allah.”
Mohtamim Aftal and Muavin Sadr Waqf-e-Nau, Mufeed Ahmad Sahib reported that there was a total of 40 atfal in New Zealand. He said that a class was held twice a month in which the atfal were taught the Holy Quran, hadith and general knowledge. Huzooraa advised, “Look after the children properly.”
Suhaib Ahmad Sahib, Additional Mohtamim Tarbiyat Rishta Nata was next to report. Recognising him, Huzooraa asked if he was not living in the UK anymore. Suhaib Ahmad Sahib replied that he moved to New Zealand two years ago.
Speaking with Arslan Ahmad Sahib, Mohtamim Tajnid, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked, “You have 136 khuddam?” Arslan Ahmad Sahib replied in the affirmative. Next, after speaking with Mohsin Khan Sahib, Mohtamim Sanat-o-Tijarat, Huzooraa asked who was next. In response, Arslan Ahmad Sahib said that he was the last person.
Huzooraa then turned towards the missionaries and called upon Sabah-ul-Zafar Sahib. Huzooraa asked him how he and his family was doing; to which he replied by saying, “Alhamdulillah”. Huzooraa then asked where he was posted, to which Sabah-ul-Zafar Sahib replied that he was posted in the city of Hamilton in the Waikato region.
Then, Huzooraa turned to Mustanser Qamar Sahib and asked where he was posted. Mustanser Qamar Sahib replied that he was serving in Wellington and added that he was looking after Samoa and American Samoa.
Next, Shafiq-ur-Rehman Sahib, a missionary, reported that he was serving in Auckland. After speaking with the three missionaries, Huzooraa said, “I just wanted to convey my ‘Assalamu alaikum’ to you [missionaries].”
Huzooraa added that the New Zealand Jamaat should have a magazine as it was a necessary organ. Shafiq-ur-Rehman Sahib replied that there was a magazine; however, it was not published in the recent year.
In the end, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa looked at the time and addressed Sadr Sahib, saying, “You will have to arrange some tea or snacks for them [the amila].” Sadr Sahib replied in the affirmative and said that tea and coffee were arranged.
Thereafter, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa extended salaam to everyone and the meeting came to an end.
(Report prepared by Al Hakam)