A glimpse into the rich history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat
23 May 1948: The first bai‘at in France took place on this day. An educated lady, Madame Magraerite Demagany, who was given the Islamic name Aisha, accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat. She helped with the mission in tabligh and translation works. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 11, p. 24)
23 May 1970: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh inaugurated the newly-built Mahmood Hall at the London Mission. This building consisted of a hall, offices and three residential flats for missionaries. Huzoorrh had laid the foundation of this building during his previous European tour on 30 July 1967. Its expenses were provided by Hazrat Sir Chaudhry Muhammad Zafrulla Khanra, something that became openly known only after his demise. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 26, p. 75)
24 May 1908: According to the Badr of this day, during the last journey of the Promised Messiahas to Lahore, Sir Mian Fazl-i-Husain had a meeting with Huzooras. There were two other lawyers with him on this occasion.
For more details of his meetings with the Promised Messiahas, see “Coming from every distant track: Sir Mian Fazl-i-Husain meets with the Promised Messiah”, at alhakam.org (18 March 2022, pp. 12-13).
24 May 1932: On this day, Hazrat Mir Muhammad Ishaqra read out his research paper in Lahore during a session arranged by Sanatana Dharma Hindus. His topic was, “Is religion an obstacle to a nation’s development?” (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 6, p. 88)
25 May 1908: On this day, the Promised Messiahas addressed his followers for the last time. Availing the moment, Hazrat Chaudhry Jahan Khanra from Mangat, Gujranwala (now district Hafizabad), held the hand of the Promised Messiahas and pledged allegiance [bai‘at]. He was the last fortunate person to enter the fold of Ahmadiyyat at the hand of the Promised Messiahas in this way during his life. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 532)
25 May 2013: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa was visited by the Mayor of Calgary, Naheed Nenshi, and various other dignitaries at the Baitun Nur Mosque. Huzooraa also answered questions during a media conference. (“Calgary Mayor comes to meet Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat”, www.pressahmadiyya.com)
26 May 1926: On this day, the publication of the Ahmadiyya Gazette started from Qadian, which continued regularly for a few years. The purpose was to inform members of the Jamaat about the activities of different departments and anjumans of the Jamaat. Its first editor was Hazrat Qazi Muhammad Zuhooruddin Akmalra. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4, p. 557)
26 May 2014: The 6th Masroor International Cricket Tournament concluded on this day. The highlight of the tournament was the presence of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa at the final. (“Masroor International Cricket Tournament 2014 Trophy to be Shared by Canada and England” at www.pressahmadiyya.com)
27 May 1908: On this day, Hazrat Hakeem Maulvi Noor-ud-Dinra was elected as Khalifatul Masih I. He addressed the Ahmadis before accepting their bai‘at. Afterwards, he led the funeral prayer of the Promised Messiahas and the burial was completed under his guidance. All Ahmadis offered allegiance to him by way of a bai‘at and the Jamaat was again united under one hand to spread the message of Islam. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 557)
27 May 2008: On this day, upon the completion of 100 years of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered an address at London’s ExCel Centre. (“Ahmadiyya Muslim Khilafat Centenary Jalsa held at Excel Centre on 27th May, 2008”, www.reviewofreligions.org)
28 May 1953: On this day, Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmad Sahibra and Hazrat Hafiz Mirza Nasir Ahmad Sahibrh were released from jail after being unjustly imprisoned for two months due to their faith in Islam Ahmadiyyat. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 15, p. 254)
28 May 2010: On this day, two Ahmadi mosques in Lahore, Pakistan, were attacked during the Friday prayer.
To read more on this topic, see: ‘‘28 May: Yaum-e-Takbir and the Lahore Martyrs’’ at www.alhakam.org (22 May 2020, p. 32)
29 May 1898: The Promised Messiahas received reports about the activities of some of his followers and Huzooras did not find the standard of their worship and traits, etc. up to the standard he desired. In response, the Promised Messiahas wrote and published a lengthy announcement on this day, which was, in essence, the summary of the ten conditions of bai‘at and the contents of Our Teaching. (Majmu‘ah-e-Ishtiharat, 2019, Vol. 2, pp. 433-436)
29 May 1974: On this day, at the railway station in Rabwah, the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Community in Pakistan, students from Nishtar Medical College, Multan, orchestrated a riot as part of a planned conspiracy. This incident then served as a pretext for unleashing a series of violent pogroms against unarmed and innocent Ahmadis across Pakistan. This wave of violence, which lasted for nearly a year, forced the Ahmadis to endure severe sacrifices, both in terms of lives and property. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 3, p. 279)