First telegram from Qadian
Friends have already been informed that a telegraph facility has been installed at the post office in Qadian and that it will commence operations within a few days.
It is now announced that the telegraphic apparatus has been fully installed, operations have begun and the very first telegram – sent by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] – was dispatched to the secretaries of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat in Peshawar, Lahore, Delhi, Lucknow, Calcutta, Madras, Bombay (now Mumbai), Karachi, Rangoon, Quetta, Hyderabad Deccan and Patna.
The text of the telegram is as follows:
“[We] are grateful to Allah the Almighty for this divine favour that, with the arrival of the telegraph at the Ahmadiyya Jamaat’s centre in Qadian, its connection with the outside world has now been established. The coming of the telegraph here also constitutes the fulfilment of those prophecies of the Promised Messiahas which he made regarding the progress and prosperity of Qadian. Taking advantage of this occasion, I exhort all those who are called Ahmadis to devote all their efforts and energies to the spread of Islam in the world and to the swift fulfilment of that singular objective for which God the Almighty sent Hazrat Ahmadas into this world.” – Khalifatul Masih
Henceforth, friends should send telegrams directly to Qadian. Such developments in Qadian constitute clear and compelling proof of the truthfulness of the Promised Messiahas. There was a time when flour itself was not available for purchase to prepare a single meal in this place; yet today, by virtue of the Promised Messiahas, this town has attained such remarkable progress that the need for a telegraph arose – and, by the grace of God Almighty, the telegraph has indeed been installed.
Nazarat Da‘wat-o-Tabligh
Although all the activities of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat and the present administrative structure – namely, the various directorates – are by no means of lesser importance, the distinctive significance accorded to this department (Da‘wat-o-Tabligh) is nonetheless profound, in view of the very purpose for which the Promised Messiahas appeared, the urgent spiritual thirst of the age and the era of the completion of the worldwide spread of faith.
The magnificent achievement accomplished by the Promised Messiahas through his advent and the foundational principle which his Khulafa upheld and fulfilled in the most befitting manner, may – if expressed briefly and in summary – be encapsulated in a single word: tabligh [preaching and propagation of Islam]. In other words, if Islam Ahmadiyyat possesses a very lifeblood, it is tabligh.
It therefore becomes the duty of every individual who is called an Ahmadi to be ready, in every possible way, to assist in the fulfilment of this objective. In order to accomplish, in the best possible manner, the purpose underlying the advent of the Promised Messiahas, it was essential that this work be carried out in an organised form – so that time, financial resources and labour might be economised, while the objective itself be effectively realised. With these benefits in view, just as other directorates were established to administer different functions, this directorate (Da‘wat-o-Tabligh) was likewise constituted.
By the grace of Allah, this department has, during the year (1925), undertaken several endeavours that are distinguished both in quality and in scope. As is evident, its sphere of activity is not confined merely to the length and breadth of India; rather, extending beyond its borders, it now encompasses London, America, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Australia, Damascus, Sumatra, Africa, Iran, Turkestan and other foreign lands. Everywhere, solely through the grace, mercy and divine succour of God, the work of the complete spread of the true faith of Islam is being carried out. The accounts of the London Mission are presented first.
London Mission
The construction of the London Mosque has commenced. While it may not be the first house of God in the midst of the temples of idols of the world at large, it certainly stands as the first house of God in London. It is hoped, God willing, that this house of God will be completed by March of the coming year and will thereafter serve as a guiding proof for the people of that area.
As friends are aware, Maulvi Abdul Rahim Sahib Dard[ra] MA and Maulvi Ghulam Farid[ra] MA – two capable young men – are engaged there with complete devotion and steadfast perseverance.
In addition to the construction of the mosque, strong protest meetings were held in response to the martyrdom of Hazrat Maulvi Nimatullahrh Sahib Shaheed of Kabul and other Ahmadi martyrs. Thereafter, through the press, concerted efforts were made to absolve Islam of the blame which ignorant Afghan clerics, by their own actions, sought to attach to it.
Among such endeavours was the raising of a strong voice of protest against a cartoon published – deliberately or otherwise – by The Star newspaper of London, in which blasphemy was committed against the Holy Prophetsa through pictorial representation.
In addition to missionary correspondence, this mission successfully delivered lectures on various aspects of Islam in different cities and societies. For instance, besides lectures held at their own residence and in Hyde Park, successful lectures were delivered in cities such as Manchester, Harrow, Chatham, Portsmouth and others, which proved to be an effective means of drawing people towards Islam.
Some European converts to Islam had, owing to certain weaknesses, adopted apostasy; however, through the dedicated efforts of Ahmadi missionaries, they were once again brought under the banner of Islam.
The Review of Religions magazine, which was previously published in the English language from Qadian, has now been permanently transferred to London and is being published there with renewed vigour and prominence.
American Mission
This mission, too, is a successful one. After Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahib[ra], Maulvi Muhammad Din Sahib[ra] was deputed there; having completed his term of service, he has now returned. In his place, Muhammad Yusuf Khan Sahib has been appointed as the person in charge of the mission.
The mission owns a building of its own, named Al-Masjid, on which a sum of thirty thousand rupees has been expended, the greater part of which was met through contributions from America.
Australian Mission
Maulvi Hassan Musa Khan Sahib[ra] serves as its in-charge. Despite his advanced age, he continues to work with the vigour and energy of a young man. In addition to his other efforts in propagation and struggle, his most notable achievement of the year (1925) was lodging a protest against a businessman’s advertisement which declared: “The mountain would not go to Muhammad, so Muhammad must perforce go to the mountain.” Upon being protested against, the businessman issued an apology.
Damascus Mission
This mission has been established only recently. Syed Zain-ul-Abidin Waliullah Shah Sahib[ra] and Maulvi Jalal-ud-Din Shams Sahib[ra] are serving there and by the grace of God Almighty, a jamaat has also been formed.
Our missionaries are conveying the message of truth to the people through both speech and writing and are also publishing articles in newspapers. This, as it were, constituted the completion of the divine argument, after which divine chastisement manifested itself in the form of war, leading to widespread disorder in Syria. Having rendered gratitude to God Almighty, we also consider the British Government deserving of thanks for the care it took of our missionaries during this period of turmoil and arrests and for ensuring their protection to the fullest possible extent.
Sumatra Mission
For the islands of Sumatra and Java, Maulvi Rahmat Ali Sahib[ra] (Maulvi Fazil), was deputed during the year (1925). He has been undertaking preaching tours in various regions, wherein, by the grace of God Almighty, he has met with success and several individuals have entered the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. It is hoped, God willing, that very soon a jamaat will be established there which will assist Maulvi Sahib[ra] in the work of the spread of the message of God Almighty.
Some students from these islands are currently receiving education in Qadian; upon completion of their studies, they will, God willing, render valuable service in carrying out this work in that region.
African Mission
Although the light of Islam Ahmadiyyat is spreading throughout the entire African continent – and the time is not far when its mirage-like deserts will, through the surging waves of the River of Unity, be transformed into ever-green oases – certain regions of this continent hold the distinction of having been the first to lend attentive ears to the call of truth, thus standing in the rank of the foremost pioneers.
Among the most prominent of these regions are the Gold Coast, Northern Nigeria and Southern Nigeria. It is in these very areas that not merely hundreds but thousands of African souls […] have entered the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and the majority of them are now themselves actively engaged in the work of tabligh.
With regard to these regions, it is also noteworthy that, by the blessings of Islam Ahmadiyyat, not only is their spiritual condition being reformed, but their physical and material circumstances are also improving. Just as their religious standing has been rectified, their worldly condition has likewise begun to flourish. Thus, while individuals devoted to traversing spiritual ranks – saints, righteous missionaries, steadfast in prayer and fasting – have emerged, personalities pursuing worldly attainments have also appeared; they are becoming doctors, barristers and the like. This comprehensive progress is solely a blessing of Islam Ahmadiyyat: an unenlightened people advancing, in full measure, not only in religion but also in civilisation and thereafter exerting themselves in the work of spreading and preaching [of Islam].
Accordingly, as a result of their preaching and outreach, a magnificent building valued at thirty thousand rupees has now been established in the Gold Coast, serving as a central hub for missionary activity. The missionary there, Maulvi Fazlur Rahman Sahib Hakim, also undertook a tour to Ashanti during his travels and conveyed the message of truth to the local ruler, King Prempeh.
In this region, Chief Mahdi had served as amir; however, following his demise, the young amir Yahya was appointed to the position. He had previously received training under Maulvi Abdul Rahim Nayyar Sahib[ra].
The condition of Northern Nigeria is similarly reassuring. On land acquired from the government at Kano, construction of a mosque has commenced and has, in all likelihood, already been completed. The local imam of this jamaat, Shams-ud-Din Sahib, will, during his missionary tour in January, also visit essential centres such as Ebo.
In Southern Nigeria, too, the condition of the people continues to improve and they have achieved success in a legal case concerning the mosque. By the grace of Allah, all missionary activities there are being conducted under the supervision of imam Ijo, who is working with diligence and sincerity.
Mauritius Mission
In Mauritius, Sufi Ghulam Muhammad Sahib[ra] BA is engaged in missionary work. This is the very land that bears within its soil the body of the young Ahmadi missionary, Maulvi Obaidullah Sahib and will continue to bear it until the Day of Judgement.
In recent days, certain well-known lecturers of the Arya Samaj have made this region the field of their extensive travels and have initiated their propagandist activities. However, thanks be to God, the commendable efforts of Sufi Ghulam Muhammad Sahib[ra] and other Ahmadi friends are continually neutralising their harmful effects. The time is not distant when, in accordance with the prophecy of the Messiah of God, Arya Samaj will everywhere breathe its last and become permanently extinguished. Overall, the work in this region is also satisfactory and steadily progressing.
Several other regions
In addition to the above, there are many other regions which, for fear of undue length, cannot be mentioned here. They, too, are advancing towards progress and the friends serving as missionaries in those areas are exerting themselves in this cause with their full strength and dedication.
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 12 January 1926 issue of Al Fazl)