Naveed A Malik Qureshi, The Muslim Sunrise
The Muslim Sunrise (formerly known as The Moslem Sunrise), established in 1921 andpublished by Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya US, celebrated its centenary last summer which heralded a significant change for the second longest-running English periodical in Jamaat history.
A brief background
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra (1872–1957) inaugurated the magazine in 1921 while serving as the first-ever Muslim missionary to America. He was a companion and scribe of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiahas. He was a prolific Ahmadi missionary whose converts numbered in the thousands; a scholarly polyglot; former editor of Badr, and former headmaster of Talim-ul-Islam High School in Qadian.
In his short time in America, Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra crisscrossed the country preaching to Americans. He established the formal headquarters and first Ahmadiyya mosque at 4448 S Wabash Ave in Chicago; launched The Muslim Sunrise magazine, and brought several hundred Americans into the fold of Islam.
According to Hazrat Mufti Sahibra, The Muslim Sunrise aimed to defend Islam and Muslims, report on the progress of the mission, and invite Americans to accept Islam and Ahmadiyyat.
For a century, it has provided Islamic guidance in the American context. From its inception, it was both a lightning rod and a lighthouse: It drew the ire of anti-Islamic Evangelical Christians and also served as a beacon light to seekers after truth.
Its past issues, replete with the images of and articles by American converts to Islam, are a treasure trove for non-Ahmadi scholars and Ahmadis alike.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa, Khalifatul Masih V’s guidance at 100-year anniversary
Last year, The Muslim Sunrise celebrated its centenary. To mark the occasion, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa penned a two-page letter for its readers and staff in which he advised:
“The Muslim Sunrise team, and all those who contribute to this magazine, should constantly reflect upon whether it is fulfilling the noble goals and objectives, which were envisioned and set out by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra in its inaugural edition in 1921. At that time, he expressed his hope that this magazine should serve the cause of bringing about a spiritual and moral revolution in the Western world. […]
“The centenary will only prove a means of true happiness if it motivates those involved in its publication to continually improve its content so that it may, once again, become a renowned magazine, as it was in its early days.”
In this inspiring call to action, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa provided detailed guidance on how to advance the magazine in its second century. He instructed that every issue “should endeavour to produce content that will bring people towards Islam and a belief in the existence of God Almighty.”
“To better fulfil its objectives with regard to both tabligh and tarbiyat, The Muslim Sunrise should be published monthly, rather than remain a quarterly publication. […]
“The Muslim Sunrise website should be regularly updated, and you should utilise appropriate social media platforms to further the reach of the magazine and its content.”
It is a wonder and testament to the blessings of Khilafat that the centenary letter contained such precise detail and perfect guidance as to commemorate the occasion and elevate the publication itself.
The Muslim Sunrise steps into its second century
In response to the letter, members of the USA Jamaat’s national amila, The Muslim Sunrise team and helpers came together to discuss how to implement Hazrat Khalifatul Masih’saa guidance.
Among its initial actions, The Muslim Sunrise team, led by Editor-in-Chief Mubasher Ahmad Sahib, charted out a plan to make the magazine monthly, beginning in January 2022. They also built a website, blogging and social media team, led by Khalid Khan Sahib, which has begun actively posting content on the website, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, with plans to add video content on YouTube.
The Muslim Sunrise has a rich and storied history and – armed with prayers and guidance from its beloved Imam – it has an even brighter future, insha-Allah.
Follow The Muslim Sunrise online
Al Hakam readers can support The Muslim Sunrise through prayers, contributing ideas and content, and by subscribing to the print edition and amplifying its social media accounts given below:
Twitter: @muslimsunrise
Instagram: @muslimsunrise
Facebook: @muslim.sunrise.official
YouTube: youtube.com/c/muslimsunrise
