A glimpse into the rich history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat
17 October 1925: On this day, Al Fazl published an advertisement about the newly launched monthly magazine, titled ‘Ahmadi’, in the Bengali language from Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), which commenced its publication to spread the message of the Jamaat. Maulvi Ghulam Samdani Sahib was its first editor. (Al Fazl, 17 October 1925, p. 5)
17 October 2015: On this day, the first-ever convocation ceremony of Jamia Ahmadiyya Germany took place. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa awarded 16 graduates Shahid degrees. In his address, Huzooraa emphasised the responsibilities of missionaries, urging them to uphold the highest standards of personal conduct, continue their pursuit of knowledge, and convey the true peaceful message of Islam. (“First ever Convocation Ceremony of Jamia Ahmadiyya Germany takes place in historic event”, www.pressahmadiyya.com)
18 October 1956: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra addressed the gathering of the Ahmadiyya International Press Association, an organisation of Ahmadi journalists. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 18, p. 237)
18 October 2008: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa visited France in October 2008. On this day, Al Fazl reported that during a meeting with new Ahmadi converts, a member stated that she had heard Napoleon Bonaparte accepted Islam and became a Muslim in 1798. She asked if Huzooraa could confirm this.
To read Huzooraa’s response, see: Was Napoleon Bonaparte a Muslim? At alhakam.org (9 September 2022, pp. 14-15)
19 October 1973: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh encouraged Ahmadis outside of Pakistan to attend Jalsa Salana in the form of delegations so that they too could partake of the blessings associated with it. In this regard, in his Friday sermon, Huzoorra also directed the respective departments overseeing the Jalsa to make additional and necessary arrangements for guests. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 29, p. 276)
19 October 1999: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh laid the foundation of the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden, Surrey, UK. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 4, p. 900)
20 October 1891: On this day, the Promised Messiahas went to Delhi’s grand mosque, sitting in a horse-drawn carriage. There was a large gathering of people chanting slogans against him, so Huzooras had to come back under the protection of a police vehicle because the local clerics incited masses against the Promised Messiahas after their complete failure in the field of argument and logic. More than 5,000 people gathered on that day in the mosque. Hazrat Maulana Abdur Rahim Dardra has recorded the dreadful events of this historic day in his book, Life of Ahmad, pp. 289-292.
20 October 2006: During his Friday sermon on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa mentioned the martyrdom of Abdullah Niaz Sahib, an Ahmadi in Sri Lanka, who was serving as the caretaker in an Ahmadiyya mosque. He was martyred on 14 October after being attacked with knives and swords. Another youngster was also attacked, resulting in injuries to both of his hands.
21 October 1924: On this day, Al Fazl published that Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra granted an audience to Lieutenant Col. Montagu William Douglas CSI, CIE (1863-1957). During the meeting, photographs were also taken. When Huzoorra arrived, Colonel Douglas stood up and expressed his emotions by saying, “You are the son of my friend; I consider your respected father as a friend.” A photograph of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra and Captain Douglas was captured by Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmadra while they were having a discussion in the study room. (Al Fazl, 21 October 1924, p. 4)
21 October 1956: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra drew the attention of Jamaat members to mark a day for the annual commemoration of the institution of Khilafat. Hence, 27 May was decided to be Khilafat Day. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 18, pp. 153-155)
22 October 1903: On this day, an Australian convert, Abdul Haq Sievwright, reached Qadian to see the Promised Messiahas.
For more details of his visit, see “Charles Francis Sievwright’s meeting with the Promised Messiah” at alhakam.org (14 May 2021, pp. 17-18).
22 October 1945: Muhammad Ali Jinnah was worried as the election season was approaching. On 18 October, he published an appeal to Muslim voters for support. After these developments, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra wrote an article for Al Fazl, which was published on this day on its front page, in which he shared the outline of the Jamaat’s policy for the upcoming elections. Huzoorra permitted Ahmadi voters to support the Muslim League. (Al Fazl, 22 October 1945, p. 1)
23 October 1947: After the sad events of the Indian Partition, Major-General Kodendera Subayya Thimayya and Husain Shaheed Suhrawardy visited Qadian on this day and held meetings with the elders of the Jamaat. They wanted to know about the situation in and around Qadian. They were accompanied by Dr Dinshaw Mehta, the famous associate of Mahatma Gandhi. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 2, p. 217)
23 October 2018: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa inaugurated Nasir Hospital in the city of Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. Following the formal opening, a reception was held to commemorate this historic occasion. (“Nasir Hospital, Guatemala”, www.alhakam.org)