A glimpse into the rich history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat
10 January 1968: Due to Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr in December 1967, the previous year’s Jalsa was not held. Thus, on this day, Jamaat’s central Jalsa Salana commenced. During the night between 10 and 11 January, bakers, who were hired to prepare rotis (Indian flat bread) for the Jalsa Langar, went on strike. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh appealed to every Ahmadi to eat only one roti. The total attendance was 100,000. Thus, even this roguish ploy could not hinder the programme of Jalsa Salana, and all the programmes, by the grace of Allah, took place as planned. All Ahmadis set a great example of selflessness. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 24, p. 465)
10 January 1997: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh delivered a Friday sermon at Masjid Fazl London, urging members of the Jamaat to offer special prayers in connection with Ramadan and Friday the 10th. He also issued a challenge to the opponents of the Jamaat, asking them to pray to Allah that whichever party is false and persists in falsehood, may the curse of Allah be upon them. (Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 16, p. 19)
10 January 2015: During his Friday sermon on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa categorically condemned the Charlie Hebdo attacks that had taken place in France and prayed for peace in the world. (Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community condemns Terrorist Attacks in France, www.pressahmadiyya.com)
11 January 1935: During his Friday sermon on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra urged the Ahmadi youth – particularly the students of Madrasa-e-Ahmadiyya and Jamia Ahmadiyya – to make a habit of reading newspapers. Huzoorra said that the Promised Messiahas would also read newspapers regularly, and he then mentioned his routine of reading some newspapers before going to sleep. Huzoorra continued by saying that reading newspapers was essential for effective tabligh – preaching. (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 16, pp. 36-37)
11 January 2005: On this day, during his tour of Spain, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa visited Gibraltar and granted an audience to its governor, Sir Francis Richard (Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gibraltar). During this half-hour meeting, the governor showed keen interest in Jamaat activities globally. Huzooraa presented him with a copy of the Holy Quran, Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, and Revelation Rationality Knowledge and Truth at the end of this meeting. The host also presented Hozooraa a souvenir of Gibraltar, depicting its map. (Al Fazl International, 25 February 2005, pp. 11-12)
12 January 1913: On this day, Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra, returned to Qadian after performing Hajj. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira travelled a relatively long distance to welcome home the young Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra.
During his journey back home, on 6 January 1913, the Mansoora ship carrying the entourage arrived at the shores of Bombay from Jeddah. At the port, Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmadra and Hazrat Bhai Abdur Rahman Qadianira were present to welcome them back. On 10 January, Hazrat Mahmudra left Bombay via train and arrived at Lahore on 12 January. Read more here.
13 January 1892: On this day, the Promised Messiahas wrote a letter to Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra in which he informed him that Khanbahadur John White, who was an educated, wise, and knowledgeable young Englishman and was employed in Madras [now Chennai] as a judge, had done bai‘at.
Huzooras added that the gentleman seemed to be jolly and upon hearing all beliefs, he replied by saying, اٰمَنَّا اٰمَنَّا “We have believed; we have believed,” and further said that the Muslims and maulvis who opposed the Promised Messiahas were not only the opponents of the Messiah, but were the enemies of Islam. Huzooras further instructed Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra to remain in contact with the gentleman. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 131-132)
13 January 1954: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra went to Lahore, where a court of inquiry was established to look into the Punjab Disturbances, which were caused by agitations against the Jamaat. On this date, Huzoor’sra statement started being recorded, which was completed by 15 January. This statement was transcribed by the court in English, while its Urdu text can be read in Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, volume 15 (pp. 371-413).
13 January 2003: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh encouraged Ahmadis to visit African countries and meet with new converts during a meeting with French-speaking members, broadcast on MTA. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 4, p. 916)
14 January 1929: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra was in Lahore, In the first part of the day, Sir Geoffrey Fitzhervey de Montmorency, Governor of Punjab, met with Hazrat Khalifatul Masihra. After this meeting, Huzoorra proceeded to the Ahmadiyya Mosque located outside Delhi Gate, Lahore, and delivered a speech of approximately one hour on the insights of the Holy Quran.
The aforementioned governor of Punjab was highly impressed with the educational progress of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. Consequently, either during this meeting or on another occasion, he remarked:
“A community that is relatively small in number and has limited financial resources has achieved remarkable progress in the field of education. This, in itself, is an astonishing example for the entire Muslim ummah as a collective. I do not have sufficient words to express my admiration for those who have led this great movement and for those who have supported and assisted it.” (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 5, p. 124)
14 January 2005: During his Friday sermon on this day, delivered from the Basharat Mosque, in Spain, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa urged the Jamaat in Spain to build a mosque in Valencia, which is the third most populous city in the country.
Later this second mosque was built and inaugurated by Huzoor in March 2013; for details see: www.pressahmadiyya.com.
15 January 1934: The 1934 Nepal-Bihar earthquake was one of the worst earthquakes in the history of Nepal and Bihar, India. This 8.0 magnitude earthquake occurred on this day at 2:28 pm and caused widespread damage in northern Bihar and Nepal.
Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra wrote an article about this sad calamity, highlighting the scores of prophecies about heavenly signs in favour of the Promised Messiah’sas claims. The Jamaat took part in humanitarian efforts conducted after the earthquake. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 6, pp. 174-176)
15 January 1983: On this day, a reception was held in honour of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh at the Hilton Hotel in Lahore. Huzoorrh delivered an address on this occasion and met with distinguished guests. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 4, p. 821)
16 January 1979: On this day, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, the last Iranian monarch, was forced into exile, marking the final collapse of the monarchy in Iran during the Islamic Revolution.
On 15 January 1906, the Promised Messiahas received the following revelation:
تزلزل در ایوان کسری فتاد
“Shaking in the palace of Chosroes.” (Tadhkirah [English, 2019], p. 814)
At first, it seemed the monarchy was strengthening when Mozaffar ad-Din Shah accepted constitutional reforms in 1906, bringing optimism and progress. However, the prophecy foretold its ultimate downfall. Its fulfilment began in 1909 with the severe weakening of the Qajar monarchy – Mohammad Ali Shah was deposed and fled to Russia after revolutionaries overthrew his rule – continued in 1941 when Reza Shah abdicated under Allied pressure, and was witnessed again in 1979 with the end of the Pahlavi dynasty, marking centuries of monarchy in Iran coming to an end.
16 January 1987: On this day, during his Friday sermon, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh launched an appeal to members of the Jamaat for financial contributions amounting to 2.6 million rupees for the construction of the central offices of Lajna Imaillah Pakistan and a large hall. (Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 6, p. 37)