Syed Mukarram Nazeer, Canada Correspondent
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh established the Pan-African Ahmadiyya Muslim Association (PAAMA) in 1984. The purpose of the association was to unite and reactivate Ahmadi Muslims whose ethnic identities represent the African diaspora. These include individuals with African-American, African-Caribbean, North African and Sub-Saharan African heritage.
Since then, PAAMA is established in multiple countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Canada.
Dr Mohamed Sadiq Boodhun Sahib from Newfoundland and AH Abdool-Rahman Abdul-Raheem Sahib from Toronto reported that on 3 April 2021, PAAMA Canada held a virtual town hall meeting. The theme of the event was “Journey to Mauritius”, with the objective of highlighting the history of Islam Ahmadiyyat in Mauritius and the contributions made by Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Mauritius for the cause of Islam Ahmadiyyat in the rest of the world.
Speakers from Canada, United Kingdom, Belgium and Mauritius addressed the event. Within Canada, speakers participated from across the country, joining from Calgary, Toronto, Montreal and Newfoundland.
The event was conducted in English and French, with live streaming on two separate English and French channels.
Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada, Lal Khan Malik Sahib chaired the event.
Abdul Rahman Abdul Raheem Sahib of Toronto set the stage for what was to come by placing the event under the Islamic concept of Tahdith-e-ne‘mat, “Proclamation of divine favours”. He stated that Mauritius Jamaat was born out of the sheer grace of Allah. It was again the grace of Allah that enabled Mauritius Jamaat to give back to the world of Islam Ahmadiyyat, devoted missionaries, medical doctors, literature in the French language etc.
Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Mauritius, Aniff Muslam Sahib, spoke on the topic of “Islam Ahmadiyyat in Mauritius: Past, present and future”. In his speech, he gave an overall picture of how Islam Ahmadiyyat reached Mauritius and also highlighted the contributions of various missionaries who served in Mauritius. He also highlighted key moments of Islam Ahmadiyyat on the island and touched on some plans of the Mauritius Jamaat.
Next was Dr Mohamed Sadiq Boodhun Sahib of Newfoundland, who presented a slideshow illustrating key moments in the history of Islam Ahmadiyyat in Mauritius.
Head of French Desk UK, Abdul Ghany Jahangeer Khan Sahib spoke of his first-hand experience working under the direct instructions of two Khulafa and in their beneficent entourage. He recounted examples of the Khulafa’s insights regarding common daily issues.
In one example, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh had stated that a walnut tree that he himself had planted in Islamabad would bear fruits only when the UK Jamaat brought in new bai‘ats. Amazingly that was exactly what came to pass. Many years later, during the time of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, the same walnut tree produced 5 walnuts. When reported to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, he stated that the UK Jamaat would now get some bai‘ats. It turned out that within a few days, UK Jamaat got exactly five new bai‘ats.
Jahangeer Sahib added that the essential lesson from this episode was that when a Khalifa says something about the future, it is fulfilled literally in due course, by Allah’s grace.
Missionary-in-Charge Jamaat Belgium, Hafiz Ehsan Secundar Sahib spoke in French about the grand prophecy of the Promised Messiahas, “Kings shall seek blessings from thy garments”. He played a video clip showing the speech of the King of Parakou at the 2004 Mauritius Jalsa Salana. Another clip showed Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh presenting the King of Parakou with a piece of the garment of the Promised Messiahas.
Representing PAAMA Canada, Imourane Chados Sahib presented a book review of The Will, written by the Promised Messiahas in 1905.
President PAAMA Canada, Abdul Ghani Omokanye Sahib, presented PAAMA Canada’s progress report.
Hafiz Ehsan Secundar Sahib reminded viewers that Huzooraa, in his recent Friday Sermon of 2 April 2021, mentioned Dr Nizamudeen Boodhun Sahib of Mauritius, who had served in clinics and hospitals of the Jamaat in West Africa for over 40 years. Hafiz Sahib reminded viewers about other Mauritian medical doctors, who are serving in Africa.
In his concluding address, Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada, Lal Khan Malik Sahib, reminisced about his student days in Rabwah, Pakistan and his friendship with a Mauritian student there. He also mentioned his visit to Mauritius during Mauritius Jalsa Salana 2019.
The event had 1,318 YouTube connections, from Mauritius, Canada, the United States of America, United Kingdom and Belgium.
The event recording is available on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tpgt0nCpGE
