Amila members of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya the Gambia were blessed with the opportunity of meeting Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, in a virtual mulaqat, on 23 May 2021.
After conveying salaam, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa led everyone in silent prayer, after which the amila members had the opportunity to introduce themselves and the work assigned to them.
Huzooraa asked how many members were present, to which Sadr Sahib replied there were 27 members seated in the MTA studio, where they had gathered.
The first to present their report was naib sadr I, who said he was tasked with overseeing and supervising various departments.
Speaking with mohtamim talim (education), Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa enquired about the talim programme for the year and asked what books were recommended for Khuddam to read during the year. Mohtamim talim said that they had recommended some books and stated that the book, Our Teaching was suggested.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa asked if each khadim was notified about this and told to read this book and whether any exam would be conducted to ascertain whether or not the khuddam had, in fact, studied the books. Whilst offering guidance, Huzooraa said, “Don’t only make plans, but implement those plans as well.”
Next to speak was naib sadr II who reported that he was assigned to look after the Ijtema affairs of the Gambia.
Following this, mohtamim tarbiyat was next to present his report. Recognising him, Huzooraa smiled and said, “Abdur Rahman Cham, with a beard.”
Huzooraa then enquired about his duties and plans for tarbiyat and further asked if he knew or had the data of how many Khuddam offered Salat, recited the Holy Quran daily and read the books of the Promised Messiahas. In reply, he said that he did not have the data.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said, “How will you know the achievement? Until you have the data, you can’t know what the present condition is and what your target should be […] how can you say that this is our plan? This is just a plan on paper then. Make such a plan which is implemented and you see the result of.”
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa further said, “If the tarbiyat department is active, then all the other departments will also be active; you will see a big change among your Khuddam. They will be more attached to the Jamaat; they will be cooperative; [they will be] coming to the mosques and [they will] try to make a personal relation with Allah Almighty.”
Following this, mohtamim tajnid introduced himself as “tajnid secretary”. Upon this, Huzooraa said, “you are not tajnid secretary, you are mohtamim tajnid. In Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya, there is no secretary; there is mohtamim. Try and read your rules and regulations book and your constitution, then you will know what your responsibilities are.”
Next, muavin sadr had the opportunity to speak with Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa and said that he assisted in technical and IT-related work as well as graphics and design work. Huzooraa asked if he was an IT expert and what his profession was. Responding, the muavin sadr said that he had completed a bachelor’s degree in physics and was currently working at the University of the Gambia.
A regional qaid was next to present his report. Whilst conversing with him, Huzooraa asked if he had come from Pakistan and enquired about his profession. Responding in the affirmative, he stated he had come from Pakistan in 2017 and was a teacher in the Nasir School.
Speaking with mohtamim mal (finance) Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa asked what he did by profession, to which he replied that he was an immigration officer working in the Gambia’s immigration department. Huzooraa said, “Masha-Allah!” and lovingly remarked, “But an immigration officer has nothing to do with finances.”
After this, mohtamim khidmat-e-khalq (service to mankind) reported that they were planning to have a free medical camp and stated that they had helped arrange various charitable activities like blood drives etc.
Next to report was mohtamim umur-e-tulaba (student affairs) who narrated that there were 25 students in the University of the Gambia, four in private universities and 200 students in high school. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa enquired what the students in university were studying. The mohtamim said that four were studying medicine. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said, “Try to encourage more Khuddam to go into the field of medicine, science and research as well.”
Mohtamim umur-e-tulaba further reported that some other students were pursuing political science, development studies and agriculture. Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “Agriculture is also a good subject.” Huzooraa also said that law was also a good subject to pursue.
Speaking with mohtamim ishaat, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa enquired if any publication was being published by Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya. Mohtamim ishaat replied that a monthly magazine, Al Khadim, was being published. Huzooraa said, “Try to encourage more khuddam to contribute and write articles for your magazine.”
Mohtamim nau mubai‘een (new converts), Al-Hajji o Jallow presented his report. Hearing his name, Huzooraa asked if he had done Hajj. Responding, the mohtamim said that “Al Hagie” was only his name and added that he had not done hajj. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa smiled and said, “You are only Al Haji by name. Now, you should perform Hajj as well.”
Whilst presenting his report, he said that during the last three years, they had 4,171 new converts.
Next, speaking with mohtamim tabligh, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa enquired what the target for tabligh was. Mohtamim tabligh stated the target was 2,000 bai‘ats for the year and that Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya had, so far this year, achieved 514 bai‘ats.
Mohtamim sehat-e-jismani (physical health) was next to report. Huzooraa asked if he was a mu‘allim, to which he replied in the affirmative and said he had graduated from Ghana in 2021. Huzooraa then asked him if he played sports and how many khuddam also played sports. In response, the mohtamim stated that as football was a common sport in the Gambia, many Gambian Khuddam played it.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa then asked if all the amila members played football and turned to mohtamim tarbiyat, Abdur Rahman Cham Sahib, and said that he had gained a lot of weight. Upon this, mohtamim sehat-e-jismani smiled and said that Abdur Rahman Cham Sahib was very active in the gym.
Next to speak was the regional qaid of Monsikonko, who is also a life-devotee serving as a teacher in the Tahir Ahmadiyya Muslim Senior Secondary School in Monsikonko. Huzooraa asked if he had come from Pakistan, what subject he taught and what he had studied. He replied that he had come from Pakistan and attained a master’s degree in theology in Germany and was now teaching Islamic religious studies.
Next to present his report was mohtamim san‘at-o-tijarat (trade and industry) Recognising him, Huzooraa asked if his brother was Muhammad Mbaye, a missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. To this, he replied in the affirmative.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked him if he knew how many Khuddam were looking for work and if he was helping them find work. Huzooraa then said that he should work with all the qaideen and get the information needed to help those individuals who were looking for work.
Mohtamim Atfal reported that there were 11,774 Atfal in the Gambia. Huzooraa asked what plans were made for their training and to keep them attached to the Jamaat. Mohtamim Atfal replied that programmes and plans were being made to hold an Atfal rally and tabiyati class.
Hearing this, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said, “Try to make sure that a good number of Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya participate in your Aftal rally and tarbiyati class.”
Addressing mohtamim waqar-e-amal (dignity of labour) Huzooraa asked what work had recently been conducted. Mohtamim waqar-e-amal replied that they had recently cleaned the entire premises of a major government hospital.
Huzooraa enquired from the sadr about reports they received from various majalis and asked if he gave any feedback on them. Huzooraa said, “Try to give your comments or, at least, acknowledge their letters; or those who are not sending their reports, remind them on a regular basis, every month. This way, you can make a closer contact with those jamaats.”
Sadr Sahib then said that they were looking forward to Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa visiting the Gambia soon. Upon this, Huzooraa said, “Then pray.” Huzooraa said that insha-Allah, he would visit sometime later.
Following this, Sadr Sahib requested and said that there were some questions and matters which amila members wanted to ask, which Huzooraa graciously accepted.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa was asked what one should do if an amila meeting was being held and prayer time was approaching. He further asked if they should stop the meeting and pray or continue the meeting and pray after.
Huzooraa said:
“You should stop and pray first. Join the congregation if it is in the mosque. And then, after completing your prayers, you can continue with your meeting.”
Next, Huzooraa was asked how one can continue with the good deeds one adopted during Ramadan.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa replied:
“You should listen to my sermon; you will get the answer there. Listen to my sermon two or three times; you will get the answer.”
Following this, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa was asked how one can best utilise social media and other outlets for tabligh.
“You can utilise it [social media] for preaching activities by pasting some powerful arguments through verses of the Holy Quran, ahadith and quotations of the Promised Messiahas which help you. Different types of people have different questions.”
Huzooraa added:
“Never react if they [those who you are preaching to] resort to foul or abusive language, or they are not properly following moral codes, then leave that person. Be careful. If you want to preach on Facebook and other social media sites, use it with all the protocols of morals and good teachings.”
With this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa conveyed his salaam to all members and the meeting drew to a close.
(Report prepared by Al Hakam)