Syed Mukarram Nazeer, Canada Correspondent
The Promised Messiahas, through divine instruction, accepted the first Bai’at (oath of allegiance) on 23 March 1889 in Ludhiana, India at the house of Hazrat Sufi Ahmad Jan and laid down the foundation of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya.
On that day, 40 individuals performed Bai‘at at the hand of the Promised Messiahas with Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin Sahibra being the first.
Every year, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, all around the world, celebrates 23 March as the Promised Messiah Day, to mark the day of the foundation of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya and the start of a new era.
2020 marks the 131st anniversary of this event.
Abdul Hafeez Sahib from the tarbiyat department of Canada reports that in view of the prevailing Covid-19 crisis, a special national Jalsa was held on 22 March 2020 after Zuhr and Asr prayers in Baitul Islam Mosque, Toronto.
Naib Amir Canada, Dr Aslam Daud Sahib presided the Jalsa. Th e programme started with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Fateen Riaz Sahib. English and Urdu translations were presented by Haseeb Ahmad Sahib and Syed Labib Junood Sahib respectively. A poem from Durr-e-Sameen was recited by Basil Raza Butt Sahib, while the English translation was presented by Azeem Ahmad Cheema Sahib.
In his opening remarks, Dr Aslam Daud Sahib explained that due to the Covid-19 outbreak, a restricted attendance policy was in place. This policy was adopted in consultation with the local public health department. The Jalsa was being live streamed across Canada with Jamaat members invited to join online. The Ten Conditions of Bai‘at were read concurrently in Urdu and English by Amir Mahmood Rana Sahib and Noor Muhammad Chaudhry Sahib respectively.
The first speech was in English and delivered by Missionary-in-Charge Vaughan Imarat, Imtiaz Ahmad Sra Sahib, on “The truthfulness of the Promised Messiahas”.
He cited multiple examples, revelations, trials and challenges from the life of the Promised Messiahas to prove his truthfulness.
The second speech was in Urdu and delivered by Missionary-in-Charge Peace Village Imarat, Mirza Muhammad Afzal Sahib. His topic was “Zikr-e-Habib, the remembrance of the beloved one”.
He highlighted attributes of the Promised Messiahas, such as his kindness, guidance, desire to see the propagation of Islam throughout the world and immense love and dedication for the Holy Prophetsa.
Dr Aslam Daud Sahib, in his concluding remarks reminded that as followers of the Promised Messiahas, we have gathered here to refresh our determination to follow his teachings and lead our life accordingly. He added that in the current pandemic situation, the instructions and guidance given by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa should be followed.
The session was broadcast live in both English and French. Th e English stream was viewed by 2,600 families online and has gathered more than 13,000 views on YouTube so far. The French session was watched by 300 families online, with more than 400 views on YouTube.