Hazrat Abu Hurairah, Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:
“A person who invites people to the truth gets a reward equal to the reward of all those who accept the truth (at his invitation), while nothing will be subtracted from their rewards. Likewise, a person who entices others to sin carries the burden of all the sins committed at his inducement, while nothing will be subtracted from the punishment of those who commit the sins.”
25 October 1924: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra commenced his journey back to Qadian after his successful tour of England. He departed from London Waterloo Station on this date along with his entourage.
25 October 1926: Hazrat Maulana Zahoor Hussain returned to Qadian after two years of imprisonment in Russia. This devout missionary travelled to the Soviet lands to spread the message of the Jamaat, but was apprehended upon his arrival on the false suspicions of espionage. He patiently faced barbaric torture and other hardships during his captivity.
25 October 1929: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra headed towards Lahore for some medical checkups. He also graciously addressed the gathering of the Ahmadiyya Inter-Collegiate Forum, Lahore.
25 October 1948: Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Qutubud Dinra passed away. He accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat in 1892. Hakim Sahibra was fortunate enough to assist the Promised Messiahas in some research work with providing references from original sources. He was also part of the team that was formulated to travel to the Middle East, with the aim of finding new evidences supporting the migration of Jesusas from Palestine to Kashmir.
26 October 1924: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra arrived in France during his journey back to Qadian from England.
26 October 1947: Jalaluddin Shams Sahib led the Eid-ul-Adha prayer in Qadian, attended by around 1,300 people. The Jamaat arranged a special meal and reception on this day for the Muslim Army deployed in and around Qadian.
27 October 1935: Hazrat Mirza Ismail Baigra passed away. He had the honour of serving the Promised Messiahas in a personal capacity since the early days.
27 October 1943: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra approved the basic constitution of Majlis Ansarullah, an auxiliary organisation for male members of the Jamaat over the age of 40.
27 October 1943: An Ahmadiyya mosque in Lagos, Nigeria was inaugurated.
27 October 1945: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra inaugurated the new building of Fazl-e-Umar Hostel at Talim-ul-Islam College in Qadian.
27 October 1947: Accession of Jammu and Kashmir was formally decided and signed by the Governor General of India, Lord Mountbatten. Through this legal document, the Maharaja Hari Singh, ruler of Jammu and Kashmir agreed to accede to the Dominion of India. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra had noted that this would happen very early on and disclosed the reality of this conspiracy in a public address. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra asserted that the whole political process was mere drama.
27 October 1963: The Alam-e-Inami (flag of honour) award was introduced for Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya. Previously, it was distributed among the leading Khuddam Majalis only. The first ever Alam-e-Inami was given to Sialkot Majlis.
28 October 1954: Hazrat Hakim Muhammad Hussainra passed away. He performed Bai‘at in 1892. He became widely known as he reproduced the ointment of Jesusas using the original prescriptions. His research led to a reputation that would also result in persecution.
29 October 1934: Hazrat Mir Mehdi Hussainra went to Iran to serve as an honourary missionary.
29 October 1938: Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad Abu al-Hasan Buzdar passed away. He was among the pioneering Ahmadi members from Dera Ghazi Khan. He also established Jamaats in many villages through his tabligh.
29 October 1951: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra addressed the farewell event held for the first ever graduate class of Jamiatul Mubashireen, Rabwah.
29 October 1963: Al Fazl published a special issue paying tribute to Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad MAra.
30 October 1913: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira graciously laid the foundation stone of Hazrat Maulvi Sher Ali’sra house.
30 October 1947: The aftermath of the partition and expulsion of Jamaat members from their homes continued. On this date, the minarets of mosques in Darul Rehmat were demolished and Masjid Noor was made as a meeting place of intruders instead of worshippers.
30 October 1948: Jamaat Sialkot convened its three-day annual Jalsa. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra special message for this occasion was read out in the concluding session by Hazrat Syed Zain-ul-Abideen Waliullah Shahra. It was about the message of Ahmadiyyat. During the course of the Jalsa, Liwa-e-Ahamdiyyat was also hoisted after special permission was sought from Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra.
30 October 1949: The Jamaat in England held its two-day Jalsa Salana. It included speeches on the holy life of the Prophetsa of Islam. Speakers from other faiths were also invited to speak.
30 October 1949: The first ever Khuddam Ijtema was arranged at the new Markaz in Rabwah. It was attended by more than 1,500 Khuddam. 89 camps were erected by the participants of this Ijtema. During the course of his speech, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra announced that from now on, he would be head of Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya.
30 October 1954: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra began his two-day tour of Lahore. During the course of this short trip, he oversaw the rescue and rehabilitation mission conducted by the Jamaat for those affected by recent flooding of the area. Around 200 Khuddam from Rabwah and Lahore took part in the relief operation, in which they repaired 75 houses, providing shelter to more than 1,000 people. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra commended the efforts of Khuddam and motivated them with his presence.
31 October 1902: Upon the commencement of the newspaper Badr, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira extended his support for it and also wrote some articles.
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Philippines held a three-day workshop for local office-bearers from 4 to 6 October 2019.
Local office-bearers from six Jamaats attended the workshop, which was conducted in Peace Compound in Sinunuc Village, Zamboanga.
The purpose of the workshop was to train the local office-bearers about their responsibilities and how to fulfill them. On the first day of the programme, participants were given a detailed explanation about the system of the Jamaat.
During the presentation, it was explained in detail that the system of the Jamaat is based on the institution of Khilafat and all blessings come from obedience to this divine institution.
Further, the participants were briefed about Tahrik-e-Jadid Anjuman Ahmadiyya and the system of the Jamaat on national and local levels. The importance of obedience was also highlighted, and various excerpts were read about the expectations of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, for office-bearers.
On the second day, the office-bearers were split into various groups depending on their respective office. Each group meeting was conducted by the respective national office bearer of that department. During these working groups, the office-bearers were briefed on how to carry out their responsibilities. They were taught how to conduct an amila meeting, how to make programmes and the importance of following up and preparing reports.
On the last day, the participants were invited to attend and observe the national amila meeting. The purpose of this was manifold. Firstly, this gave the local office-bearers a practical example on how to conduct local amila meetings.
Secondly, a national report form was introduced for the first time for the ease of reporting, but also as a reminder for various departments about their monthly duties. Lastly, local office-bearers were able to see how the national departments allocate resources and plan.
Another highlight of the workshop was that it coincided with Jalsa Salana France. This gave a chance for all the local office-bearers from different branches to collectively listen to the live Friday Sermon and speeches of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa.
Alhamdolillah, the workshop was very successful. Most of the attendees mentioned that the workshop improved their knowledge about the system of the Jamaat, but more importantly about what is expected from them and how to go about implementing it.
Readers of Al Hakam are humbly requested to remember Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Philippines in special prayers.
In the spirit of “We listen and obey”, Lajna Imaillah responded to the instructions of Hazrat Amirul Momineen, may Allah be his Helper, to hold an East African refresher course. This course was organised by Secretary of Lajna Section, Rihana Ahmad Sahiba.
The refresher course took place from 13 to 15 September 2019. Representatives from five countries took part in this historical meeting, namely, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Tanzania (the host).
The very fruitful refresher course took place in the newly opened and impressive Masjid Salaam, situated in Dar es Salaam, the commercial capital of Tanzania.
It was a rewarding, spiritual and intellectual banquet that covered the following topics: the faith of Promised Messiahas, the significance and importance of Lajna Imaillah’s pledge, the responsibility of Lajna Imaillah, the background and the history of Lajna Imaillah, the Lajna Imaillah constitution, election rules, responsibilities of office-bearers, Lajna Imaillah’s Majils-e-Shura, the blessings of financial sacrifice, compilation of monthly and annual reports, and last but not least, the importance and blessings of MTA International.
It was a tight schedule, which included two sessions each day for all three days. As it is customary, sessions started with the recitations of the Holy Quran followed by Hadith. All members present also listened to the Friday Sermon delivered by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa.
During the seminar, Rehana Ahmad Sahiba, distributed books and pamphlets that covered matters pertaining to the activities of Lajna Imaillah. Participants were overjoyed, as the course was a source of knowledge and created a sense of unity and solidarity among African countries.
Rehana Ahmad Sahiba also stressed special emphasis on the importance of developing a bond with Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa by writing letters to him.
After the course, the participants visited the Ahmadiyya centre in Kitonga where they were able to see Lajna Imaillah Tanzania offices, the Ahmadiyya secondary school and the Jalsa Salana site. Poems were read out during this occasion.
On the 19 September 2019 the facilitator of the East Africa refresher course went to Johannesburg, South Africa for another refresher course that included 30 countries. All Sub-Saharan Africa Lajna Imaillah participants give a special thanks to Huzooraa for this historical opportunity.
The task of the Holy Quran was to reform people of all eras. The objective of the Quran was to transform mankind from an animal state to a human state, and thence to make of humans civilised individuals by inculcating good manners, so that a transformation could be brought about by acting within the dictates of the shariah and its injunctions; and finally, so that they could be made into godly people. These words are brief, but they encompass thousands of facets. Since the Jews, naturalists, fire-worshippers and other nations were engrossed in evil practices, it is for this reason that upon the instruction of Allah, the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, addressed all the people, saying:
Say, ‘O mankind! Truly I am a Messenger to you all.’
And so it was necessary for the Holy Quran to gather within itself all those teachings that had been instituted at various points in time and to possess all the truths that were conveyed from heaven to the people of the world in various times through numerous Prophets. The Holy Quran had the whole of humanity in view, not a specific people, country or era. The Gospel, on the other hand, had a specific people in view and this is why the Messiah, on whom be peace, repeatedly said: ‘I have come in search of the lost tribes of Israel.’
(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, p. 83)
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa addresses German dignitaries in Berlin
Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, 22 October: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, addressed members of the German Parliament, religious leaders, dignitaries, academics and politicians. The topic of the occasion was “Islam & Europe: A clash of civilisations?”
With the arrival of Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa, the session started with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Muhammad Jariullah Khan Sahib who recited verses 13-14 of Surah al-Hujurat (chapter 49).
Abdullah Wagishauser, Amir
Sahib Germany welcomed the guests and introduced Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya while also
giving a historical background of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Germany.
Next, various dignitaries
addressed the congregation. The first was Frank Heinrich, Member of the
Bundestag who said that Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya practices what it preaches and lives
up to the motto “Love for all, hatred for none”. He commended the Jamaat for
upholding democracy, love and mercy under the guidance of Huzooraa.
Mr Heinrich said that very few people know that Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya has no
political, militant or extremist agenda. He also regretted the persecution the
Jamaat faces in Pakistan and said that religion gives no space for such
persecution.
Omid Nouripour, Member of
the Bundestag gave the next address. Mr Nouripour acknowledged that he does not
agree with everything the Jamaat teaches, however, he said, this was something
positive as difference of opinions are important. He said that no one has a
right to declare another as non-Muslim, this discrimination is faced across the
board for Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya.
Niels Annen, Minister of
State also spoke. He discussed the multicultural richness of Germany which has
sprout from the German constitution. Mr Annen said that the first lecture
delivered on radio about Islam was by an Ahmadi missionary, Sheikh Nasir Ahmad
Sahib. He said that the members of the Jamaat add to the sparkle of the city
and are active members of society.
Thereafter, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa addressed the congregation and thanked all those who attended.
Huzooraa carried on by saying that there is a great deal of debate about immigration, often focused around Muslims not being able to integrate into the western world. However, one must first define the definition of “civilisation”. Huzooraa presented the definition of civilisation by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II, may Allah be pleased with him, saying that civilisation is the material progress and development of a society, this was further detailed by Huzooraa.
However, culture is different to civilisation. Culture is a manifestation of the views of a people, their attitudes towards social issues and their practices. Huzooraa said that “Instead of being based on material progress, culture is rooted in morality and the religious values and traditions of a nation”. Civilisation relates to the technological and intellectual advancements of society whereas culture is based on religious, moral and philosophical makeup of society, Huzooraa explained.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that the difference between culture and civilisation can be understood from the history of Christianity. Though Rome possessed advancement in civilisation, they did not have high standards of morality, “Rather it was during the early period of Christianity that their people were infused with a progressive culture”. Hence the progress and advancement of the Romans reflected their great civilisation while Christianity gave the Romans “a laudable culture”.
Returning to the debate of immigration, Huzooraa said that though immigrants have arrived from many countries, the influx of Muslims has caused the greatest concern and alarm. Many indigenous people fear that mass immigration from Muslim countries threatens their civilisation, culture and values. Huzooraa highlighted that civilisation was actually being adopted by the Third World with the advancement of technology; they are being influenced by Western civilisation. Thus the assertion that Western civilisation is being threatened does not hold water, Huzooraa explained.
On the other hand, a fear that the religious and moral culture of the west can be threatened if Islam spreads in Europe “is a more legitimate concern”, Huzooraa said.
Addressing this issue,
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa explained that people are rapidly moving
away from religion, particularly in the west. Censuses indicate that people are
moving away from Western religious culture and atheism is on the rise.
Atheism is a great threat to Western culture that is thousands of years old. Huzooraa said that “as a Muslim leader, I believe you should protect your heritage and culture by focusing your energies on arresting the decline in religion and bringing people back towards faith and belief”. It should not be that in the name of advancement that moral standards are suddenly abandoned.
Huzooraa said
that he believes that the decline of religion in the West is the reason people
fear Islam. In reality, despite what the media says, there is no reason to fear
Islam. Muslims believe that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,
bought the final religion. Islam gives absolute freedom of religion, therefore
there should be no fear that Muslims will enforce their views upon the west.
Extremists do not represent
the teachings of Islam and the authorities should be very firm on such extremists.
Islam does not allow any type of force in converting people; why then is there
a fear of Islam?
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that he would present the core teachings of Islam. However, Huzooraa said that he could not cover all the elements due to shortage of time, therefore he would address the teachings on the rights of mankind taught by Islam.
Referring to the Holy Quran, Huzooraa said that where Allah the Almighty teaches to worship Him, He also teaches to honour parents, how can this teaching clash with any religion or nation? The Quran also requires Muslims to treat their loved ones and those in need with utmost kindness.
Islam promotes education of
those in need as it will enable them to escape poverty. If poorer countries can
build up their economies, then people will not migrate abroad as they will have
jobs.
The Holy Prophetsa said that God Almighty emphasised the rights of neighbours so strongly that he thought that neighbours would be included in inheritance. He also taught that those who are not grateful to human beings are not grateful to Allah. How can such a teaching be a threat to Western civilisation?
Huzooraa said that “it is counterproductive for Western people to suggest that Islam or Muslims have no place in this part of the world.” If Muslims come to these countries for the betterment of society then this is something to praise.
Some people argue that Muslim are instructed to perform Jihad, therefore they fear that Muslim will wage a Jihad of the sword when they come to the west. Huzooraa said that this was based on a clear misunderstanding of what Jihad is.
Huzooraa made it clear that “Islam is not a bloodthirsty or violent religion”. The Holy Prophetsa once declared that the “Jihad” of a companion of his was for that companion to take care of his old and frail parents.
During the early period of
Islam, the defensive Jihad was only to protect the institution of religion and
freedom of belief, they were not to compel people to convert.
With regard to the upbringing of children, Huzooraa referred to the Holy Quran once again – chapter 6, verse 152. The verse instructs Muslims to nourish their children “with love and affection, to morally guide them and to educate them so that they grow to become highly competent and moral individuals who are assets to their community and nation.”
Another common allegation in the Western world is that Islam does not give women rights. Huzooraa said that it must be noted that Islam granted women many rights for the first time in human history. Further, the Holy Prophetsa said that paradise lies under the feet of one’s mother; this saying indicates the great role of women in society. Huzooraa said, “Mothers are the people who have the power and influence to turn their nation into a heaven on earth and who can unlock the door of eternal paradise for their children.”
Further, Huzooraa said that in chapter 4, verse 20, Allah instructs Muslim men to treat their wives lovingly and respectfully. However, in Western countries, not a day goes by where the courts do not have to deal with domestic violence. A report by the Office of National Statistics in 2018 indicates that domestic crimes in the UK are not linked with any religion and a similar report indicates this for Germany as well. Thus Islam cannot be blamed.
Huzooraa said that Islam also instructs its followers to respect people of other religions and faiths.
Today’s world, which
proudly boasts of being more civilised and advanced than any previous era,
instantly jumps on inhumane treatment of opponents. However, Islam teaches a
civilised response to opponents even during war.
Another moral revolution that Islam bought was regarding slavery, which prior to Islam was normal and rampant. The Holy Quran instructed that if a slave desired freedom they should be released. In today’s world physical slavery no longer exists but it has been placed with economic bondage and servitude. World powers give loans to poorer nations with strings attached. The result is that poorer countries have no option other than to bend. Such slavery, Huzooraa said, is utterly immoral.
Huzooraa said that he only mentioned a few points that illustrate the rights of humanity that have been established by Islam. Huzooraa said that he hoped that the audience have been reassured that Islam is not a threat to the west.
Concluding the address, Huzooraa mentioned that the world is experiencing a very dangerous term that can have devastating results. Instead of attacking others and speaking of divisions, we should seek to unite and spread social cohesion.
Huzooraa said that it seems as though the world is hell-bent in inviting its destruction and the threat of nuclear weapons will destroy the future of our generations. Nuclear warfare will shatter the hopes and dreams of our children, Huzooraa said. Therefore, “Instead of fanning flames of hatred”, we must change our ways and work with a spirit of mutual respect, tolerance and affection.
Huzooraa thanked the guests once again for attending and ended the session with silent prayers.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa inaugurates Baitul Hameed Mosque, Fulda, Germany
Tahir Bhatti, Germany Correspondent
Fulda, Germany, Sunday, 20 October: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, inaugurated the new Baitul Hameed mosque and addressed guests at the formal inaugural ceremony.
People from all walks of life convened for the inaugural ceremony
of Baitul Hameed mosque in the German city of Fulda. The array of guests who
attended displayed the beautiful values of diversity and multiculturalism that Germany
has to offer.
The historical city of Fulda lies in the heart of Germany and
has a very strong Christian background; Fulda Cathedral being one of the main
attractions.
With the arrival of Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa, the
session started with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Hafiz Zakir Butt Sahib
followed by German translation by Dr Rana Ahmad Sahib.
Amir Sahib, Abdullah Wagishauser gave an introduction to
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya.
Two guests that addressed the event and welcomed Huzooraa
included President of the Luther Church, Sara Kautzsch and President of the
Round Table of Religions, Kurt Albrecht.
Thereafter, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa addressed the congregation. After reciting Tashahud and Ta‘awuz, Huzooraa thanked all the guests who attended the ceremony. Huzooraa then expressed how the new mosque in Fulda is a means of great joy and happiness for the Ahmadi Muslims living there and thanked the local authorities for having such open heartedness that enabled this mosque to be built.
Observing the large attendance of non-Ahmadi Muslim guests, Huzooraa said that the attendance proved that the guests have respect for other religions.
Touching upon the unifying effects of globalisation, Huzooraa highlighted the importance of social cohesion and “removing the reservation of fears from our hearts” about one another.
Huzooraa noted how the city of Fulda is known for its excellence towards education and explained how real education enlightens the heart; enabling one to become openhearted and participate in the happiness of others.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa noted that the presence of the guests displayed their welcoming and openhearted nature.
Huzooraa explained how the Holy Prophetsa allowed a delegation of Christians to pray in his mosque in Medina. Islam stresses on honouring the rights of others and the core principles of Islam are to exhibit tolerance and peace. This is what Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya is striving for at a global level, Huzooraa expressed.
Huzooraa, referring to Kurt Albrecht’s speech, appreciated how he spoke about honouring human values. Huzooraa said that he agreed with this and that human values are what differentiates us from other creatures. In light of this, Huzooraa then referred to the Promised Messiahas who established a rule that in religious conferences, no speaker should talk against other religions and only describe the beauty of their own.
Huzooraa said that mosques are the catalysts to enhance sympathy and service to humanity.
Concluding, Huzooraa prayed that the new mosque enables local Ahmadis to exhibit increasing love and tolerance towards humanity.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa is on a tour of Europe, taking the message of Islam to its citizens. Having addressed Jalsa Salana Holland and France, opened mosques in Almere and Strasbourg and spoken at UNESCO, he is now in Germany.
We have reported on the opening reception of Mubarak Mosque in the German city of Wiesbaden and, moments ago, Huzooraa has delivered his Friday Sermon in Giessen.
He is scheduled to visit other parts of Germany where mosque openings and addresses to German dignitaries are said to be on agenda. MTA International and its portable live-coverage facilities are accompanying Huzooraa and we have seen most of Huzoor’saa engagements live via satellite and the internet.
Huzoor’saa message, as always, is crisp and clear: Peace is what the world needs most and Islam stands for peace. We will have more opportunities to listen to Huzoor’saa addresses on various occasions in the coming couple of weeks; all during this blessed tour.
One would naturally want to know how this message is received by the German nation. As a specimen, let’s have a look at what Frankfurt based journalist Benjamin Kilb has to say in his award-winning work, A Ray of Hope, Growing in the Shadows: Ahmadiyya in Germany: “Debates on Islam in Germany rarely feature the Ahmadiyya community (AMJ), a reform-oriented movement, but for more than 90 years it has been part of our society. Ahmadis are well-integrated, open-minded, socially-active and law-abiding…
“However, the community only appears in the headlines when conservative initiatives want to prevent them constructing a mosque, and to do so equate them with Islamists. Meanwhile, many Muslims on the other side allege that Ahmadis are heretics. In some Muslim countries they face brutal persecution. For my feature, I travelled to several German cities to portray the AMJ and to show that Islam can coexist in symbiosis with German society, belongs to our country and does not pose a danger.” (www.zenith.me)
Ahmadiyya media has joined hands to ensure that Ahmadis all around the globe are not missing out on any event of Huzoor’saa tour; this is what every Ahmadi wants the most and this is what Ahmadiyya media is trying to deliver.
While MTA International brings all addresses live to the comfort of our sitting rooms, MTA Online is trying to show as much as possible from behind the scenes.
Al Hakam and Al Fazl websites have been busy reporting on as many details of the events as possible.
Makhzan-e-Tasaweer has had their camera shutters clicking and been putting photographs together for newspapers, journals and websites.
The Review of Religions has shared some very interesting angles, and press releases from the Central Press and Media Office have been coming through bringing exclusive information about the events.
Stay tuned to the above sources and feel virtually present at the blessed events; whatever part of the world you may be in.
(Useful sources: mta.tv, alhakam.org, alfazl.com, makhzan.org, reviewofreligions.org and pressahmadiyya.com)
Browsing through the archives of Al Fazl Rabwah, many headlines tend to catch your attention. For instance, the issue of 8 November 1959 has a headline saying “A space station will soon be established on the Moon”.
The story goes on to relate how humans would soon gain access to the Moon and Mars.
Turn a few pages and you find yourself struck by another headline:
“Our great mosque in Frankfurt, West Germany”
Building mosques in the west has always been a great ambition of the Jamaat. Above is an old announcement asking for financial contributions towards this cause
If one is acquainted with the humble, yet marvellous history of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, this news should be almost as tantalising as the one about the Moon and possibilities of human access.
Next to none resources and a mosque in the heart of European mainland! But here we are. As Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah help him at every step, is in Germany inaugurating mosques in different cities, it is faith-inspiring to see how it all started.
There existed an Ahmadiyya mosque in Hamburg since 1957, but this new mosque was built in Frankfurt – the heartthrob of the German nation. This was the magnificent Noor Mosque – small in appearance but tall in character; and now, rich in its contribution towards propagation of Islam on the soil of Germany.
Frankfurter Allgemeine covered the opening of Noor Mosque in Frankfurt
The report that follows the headline explains how the inaugural reception of the mosque – held on 12 September 1959 – unfolded.
Chaudhry Abdul Latif Sahib, then missionary-in-charge of Germany, reports that the evening started with a message from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra being read out, followed by a message from the Wakilut Tabshir (then Mirza Mubarak Ahmad Sahib).
Ahmadi delegates from other European countries had travelled to attend the historic event among whom were Hafiz Qudratullah Sahib, Sheikh Nasir Ahmad Sahib, Abdul Hakim Akmal Sahib, Kamal Yusuf Sahib and Bashir Ahmad Rafiq Sahib.
Hazrat Sir Zafrulla Khanra – then vice president of the International Court of Justice – had travelled from The Hague to deliver the keynote address that evening.
The excitement and happiness of German Ahmadis was evident from the zeal and enthusiasm with which they attended the event; naturally so as they were the actual hosts in every sense of the term.
The press, with their cameras and spiral notebooks, showed special interest in covering the event; it made it to the headlines of most newspapers the following morning. A number of officials from Frankfurt authorities were invited and had gladly attended the event. The chief mayor of Frankfurt was unable to attend but had sent Mr Albrecht as his representative.
Hazrat Chaudhry Zafrulla Khanra in chair, the event started with recitation of the Holy Quran by Hafiz Qudratullah Sahib and followed by a welcome note readout by Chaudhry Abdul Latif Sahib. Abdul Shakoor Kunze – a German Ahmadi Muslim – delivered a speech and explained with great eloquence what it meant to be a Muslim.
Mr Albrecht took it to the dais and expressed his pleasure in being present on the important event and that too as the representative of the chief mayor of Frankfurt. He said it was his hope that the mosque would play its role in establishing peace and harmony in the city. He expressed full support from the local authorities for the mosque.
Hazrat Chaudhry Zafrullah Khanra then delivered his presidential address, highlighting the global character of the message of Islam. Chaudhry Sahibra led everyone in silent prayers and the event came to its end.
But with this end opened a chapter of religious history in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Who would have known that the seemingly small Jamaat that had erected this mosque with their humble financial contributions would one day be building mosques in all major cities and towns of Germany? And not only major cities.
They aim to do so in every city or town. This achieved, every town and every city will become a major one.
Long live the Ahmadiyya Jamaat that strives to establish peace and harmony through mosques!!
A green dome and two minarets – Frankfurt’s Nuur Mosque was inaugurated on 12 September 1959.
This mosque of the Ahmadiyya community on the Babenhäuser Landstraße was the second mosque in Germany. Correspondingly large in 1959, it was the delight of the faithful.
Frankfurt am Main was happy. At that time, in 1959, the opening of the Nuur Mosque on Babenhäuser Landstrasse was a sensation for the citizens.
“People came in droves to look at this new, exotic building. They were curious and wanted to know what a Muslim place of worship looks like from within and who goes there to pray together,” said Abdullah Uwe Wagishauser, chairman (Amir) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat (AMJ) in Germany.
He himself knows the euphoria of the first years only from newspaper reports and the accounts of contemporary witnesses, because the 59-year-old was then still a child and grew up in a Christian civil servant’s family. Only in 1976 did Wagishauser convert to Islam.
Inauguration of Noor mosque covered by The Daily Frankfurter Rundschau. Hazrat Sir Zafarulla Khanra is seen delivering his inaugural address, on 12 September 1959
The first mosque in southern Germany
There is only one other
mosque in Germany which is older than this one; in Hamburg, built in 1957. The
Frankfurt mosque – whose name “Nuur” incidentally means “light”, meaning the
light of God – was at that time the only one of its kind in southern Germany
and the influx, therefore, large.
“The
faithful travelled to prayer with buses,” said Wagishauser. And also, a lot of
celebrities knelt here for Friday prayers. Sir Zafrullah Khan, then President
of the European Court of Justice in The Hague, opened the sacred building to
the public.
Prominent prayer: Muhammad Ali
Wagishauser has a wealth of
black-and-white images that illustrate the history of his community. Time and
again, men with beards, flowing shirts, and white turbans on their heads
indulged in animated conversation. Even the youthful face of today’s chairman
can be seen below [see image of inauguration]. The impression that dialogue and
not dogma is maintained here, immediately adjusts itself to the viewer. A photo
is particularly spectacular, even at first glance. In the midst of a crowd in
front of the mosque’s portal, you suddenly recognise features of one of the
twentieth century’s most famous [people]: Muhammed Ali. The best boxer of his
time came to Frankfurt in 1967 to compete in the Waldstadion against Karl
Mildenberger – he needed a tedious 12 rounds to victory, which did not happen
to him so often back then. As a devout Muslim, who Ali had become then, he also
visited the local mosque for Friday prayers.
Ehsaan Mosque, Mannheim
A Muslim place of worship in the middle
of a Christian neighborhood
These pictures almost seem like relics from a time bygone. Back then, the members of the Ahmadiyya community were not afraid to build a mosque with all its typical features right in the middle of a Christian neighborhood, and that neighborhood did not respond with fear and defense.
It was, as Wagishauser soberly and without consideration of political correctness formulated, the epoch before hundreds of thousands of “guest workers” were to arrive in the Federal Republic and were to shape the image of Muslims in the minds of their German fellow citizens for the coming decades.
At that time, people probably did not think about Islamism, terror and the so-called holy wars either.
Baitul Hadi, Seligenstadt
Separation of church and state, equal
rights for men and women
The many events that the
Ahmadiyya community is now planning on the occasion of the … anniversary of the
Frankfurt Mosque may help to paint the image of Islam a bit more colourfully
and differently. For the members of this religious movement see themselves as
liberal reformists who advocate a strict separation of state and religion and
the equality of men and women; to whom, above all, integration into the
mainstream society is a primary motive.
“We
are not a nationality, but a pure religious community,” explains the chairman
of the German section … “Our Friday sermons are also in German.” In addition,
the mosque serves only for religious practice.
Baitul Aman, Nidda
The reigning caliph has just chaired
the annual assembly
Ahmadiyya communities
exist in 190 countries [now more than 200] around the world, yet 80 percent of
their multi-million members or their ancestors are from Pakistan. There,
however, they are regarded by many orthodox scholars as non-believers, as far
as they have moved away from Islam in their eyes, and are therefore not
recognized and are discriminated against by the state. For the AMJ, the Messiah
has already appeared, in the form of its founder Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
(1835-1908). Since his death, a successor (caliph) is chosen as the spiritual
head of the community. The current 5th caliph, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, had only recently
arrived in Frankfurt to lead the annual assembly of his community because in
the Frankfurt district of Bonames has been the headquarters for around 30
years…
Woman designs residential house for
women on the mosque grounds
On
the grounds of the Nuur Mosque is currently a guest and residential house for
women and children from the community, who are in need, are in transit or for
other reasons need a short-term accommodation. It was designed by a woman, the
Frankfurt architect Mubashra Ilyas. The 30-year-old may be considered typical
of the younger generation within the AMJ; her parents still came as unskilled
workers from Pakistan to Germany, they and her siblings, all of whom were born
here, completed a university degree. In three cities – Bremen, Offenbach and
Berlin-Heinersdorf – mosques have been built according to the designs of
Mubashra Ilyas. “I am German,” says the young woman confidently, wearing her
headscarf with a self-evident pride.
(Special
thanks to www.frankfurt.de, the official website of the City of
Frankfurt, for permission to include this article)
