As the pandemic continues to spread and we continue to make changes and alterations in our lives whilst adjusting to the “new normal”, one thing is for certain, that the strong, unique and unwavering bond between the Khalifa and the Jamaat shall never diminish.
In such circumstances, while members of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat yearn to meet their beloved Imamaa once again, the national amila of Ghana were fortunate to have a virtual mulaqat with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, on 28 November 2020.
Along with the amila members, the zonal missionaries currently serving in Ghana were also present. The amila members gathered in the Wahab Adam MTA Studio at Bustan-e-Ahmad, Accra.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa began the mulaqat with a silent prayer, after which the amila members had the opportunity to introduce themselves and their respective roles and departments. Every department had the opportunity to speak with Huzooraa and seek guidance and direction.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa, having served as a waqif-e-zindagi in Ghana from 1977 to 1985, personally recognised many of those present during the mulaqat.
Whilst addressing the principal of Jamia Ahmadiyya International, Huzooraa enquired as to how many students were studying in Jamia. Upon this, the principal replied that 231 student from 24 countries were currently studying in Jamia. Hearing this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa remarked, “Masha-Allah!” and added, “So this is a real international Jamia!”
Following this, whilst addressing the secretary Waqf-e-Jadid, Huzooraa asked if any special eff ort was being made as the Waqf-e-Jadid year approached its end. Huzooraa added, “This time, in Tahrik-e-Jadid, Ghana came in the top ten.”
Alluding to Waqf-e-Jadid, Huzooraa said, “At least among the African countries, Ghana should be at the top of the list. This is my wish and this is my desire. Extend this message to all Ahmadis living in Ghana.”
Addressing the assistant secretary tabligh, Huzooraa enquired about the work currently in progress and asked about this year’s target for new converts. Upon this, the assistant secretary stated that due to Covid-19, the tabligh work was not able to be conducted as it usually is.
Upon this, Huzooraa stated, “On a personal basis you can do tabligh.”
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa added, “Owing to Covid-19, you are talking to me directly and I am talking to the amila. So in this way, you can also explore some new avenues.”
Huzooraa, whilst providing direction, stated, “You should make a proper outreach plan; ‘Despite Covid-19, how can we reach the people? How can we do tabligh? What are the new ways we should explore?’ … You have a fertile brain, masha-Allah; you can do this if you wish.”
Addressing the national secretary tabligh (preaching), Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated that due to health concerns, “if you cannot go outside to do tabligh, you can give a proper plan to your additional secretary so that he can implement those plans. As I have said, there are so many means and ways to find out and be used under the present circumstances.”
Whilst conversing with the secretary talim (education), lovingly, Huzooraa expressed, “When I left Ghana, you looked quite young. Now you look elderly.”
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa then enquired as to how many university-going students were present in Ghana. Huzooraa further said:
“You should have the data of all the students who are attending university; all the data of the students attending secondary schools; all those who have dropped out after doing their middle school; the data of those who dropped out after primary school and the reason as to why they didn’t continue their studies. [You should also ascertain] how we can help those students who want to persue further studies and go to school, but because of circumstances, family matters and financial affairs, they cannot continue; and what help the Jamaat can extend to them. You should have all this data.”
Following this, addressing the secretary for external affairs, Huzooraa asked about the relationship the Jamaat had with the politicians of different parties, members of parliament and presidents. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said, “You should have a personal relationship with all politicians, especially members of parliament.”
Huzooraa emphasised the importance of this task and said, “You should help them realise that they should work for the betterment of the nation so that the country can prosper.”
Addressing the sadr Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya, Huzooraa asked how many khuddam were in Ghana. Upon this, the sadr responded by saying that currently, there were 16,048 khuddam and 6,524 atfal. Whilst providing valuable advice and guidance, Huzooraa said, “You should try to improve your tajnid [census] … You should go to each and every majlis and try to get the tajnid from the grass-root level.”
Following this, addressing the secretary for new converts, Huzooraa asked about the measures being implemented to train and help in bringing them into the main system of the Jamaat and involve them in Jamaat activities. Huzooraa added, “You should make a plan in such a way that each and every new convert is involved in the mainstream of the Jamaat within a three-year time period.”
Addressing the secretary talim-ul-Quran and Waqf-e-Arzi (Quranic education and temporary devotion of time), Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa directed, “You should ask your amila members to do waqf-e-arzi.”
“First”, Huzooraa said, “ask all the national amila members to do waqf-e-arzi, then regional amila members to do waqf-e-arzi, then local amila members. In this way, you can achieve your target.” Huzooraa further added, “In this way, you can do some tabligh, training and tarbiyat of the Jamaat as well.”
Whilst conversing with a missionary who acquired his Shahid degree from Jamia Ahmadiyya International, Huzooraa said, “Masha-Allah, so you can speak Urdu.” Upon this, the young missionary replied by saying, “Thori thori [only a little].” Hearing this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said, “This means you know Urdu very well, for a person who does not know Urdu well would have said ‘Thora thora.’”
Following this, a similar incident took place, whilst speaking with another missionary who graduated from Jamia International. Huzooraa instructed, “Write your letters to me in Urdu and your Urdu will improve.”
Whilst addressing another missionary who graduated from Jamia International, Huzooraa said, “All missionaries who are originally from Ghana and who have completed the Shahid degree and know Urdu, should write to me in Urdu.”
Huzooraa also expressed that one should read Malfuzat to improve one’s proficiency in Urdu, even if it be half a page a day.
In the end, the amir and missionary-in-charge requested Huzooraa to pray for peace to reign in the country as the presidential elections were due to take place. Upon this, Huzooraa answered, “If the present government has done well for the country and for the people of the country, then they should win. Otherwise, I pray that some other people come who are helpful and useful for the country, who work for the country with honesty and sincerity, insha-Allah.”
This brought the mulaqat to a close.