This Week in History: 24–30 May

A glimpse into the rich history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat

24 May 1908: According to the Badr of this day, during the last journey of the Promised Messiah^as to Lahore, Sir Mian Fazl-i-Husain had a meeting with Huzoor^as. There were two other lawyers with him on this occasion.

For more details of his meetings with the Promised Messiah^as, 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 1947: On this day,Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra sent a telegram to the British Prime Minister, Mr Attlee. Reporting on this, The Sunday Post wrote on the next day:

“The head of the Ahmadya community, a powerful Moslem sect, sent a telegram from Lahore yesterday to Mr Attlee and Mr Churchill strongly protesting against any partition of the Punjab.” (The Sunday Post, 25 May 1947, p. 1)

For more details, see “The deadlock over Interim Government and Constituent Assembly for India: Its background and Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s guidance”, at alhakam.org (15 July 2022, p. 17).

25 May 1908: The Promised Messiah^as addressed his Jamaat for the last time on this day. Availing the moment, Hazrat Chaudhry Jahan Khan from Mangat, district Hafizabad, held the hand of the Promised Messiah^as and took the pledge of initiation. Chronologically, he was the last fortunate person to enter the fold of Ahmadiyyat at the hand of the Promised Messiah^as. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, pp. 532-533)

25 May 1941: During World War II, Iraq had to face turmoil when Sheikh Rashid Ali al-Gaylani and like-minded people initiated chaos in the country, which endangered the sacred places of the Muslim world. In light of these happenings, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra delivered a speech on the All India Radio Station on this day, which was also broadcast from the Delhi and Lucknow stations.

On the same day, The Civil and Military Gazette announced under the heading “Broadcast on Iraq”:

“Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmed of Qadian will broadcast a talk in Hindustani on ‘Iraq’ from All India Radio, Lahore, on Sunday, May 25, at 8:50 pm.”

For more details, see “Justice demands independence of Arab lands: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s speech on All India Radio amidst Iraq disturbance in 1941”, at alhakam.org (8 March 2024, p. 14).

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 Akmal. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4, p. 557)

26 May 2014: The 6^th Masroor International Cricket Tournament concluded on this day. The highlight of the tournament was the presence of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa 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-Din^ra was elected as Khalifatul Masih I. He addressed the Ahmadis before accepting their bai‘at. Afterwards, he led the funeral prayer of the Promised Messiah^as 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 V^aa delivered an address at London’s ExCel Centre. (“Ahmadiyya Muslim Khilafat Centenary Jalsa held at Excel Centre on 27th May, 2008”, www.reviewofreligions.org)

27 May 1973: In view of the wave of systematic opposition to the Ahmadiyya Jamaat in Pakistan, a special session of the Majlis-e-Shura was held, in which Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III^rh shared some information about the emerging political and general situation of Pakistan, and gave guidance to the delegates. 490 delegates of different local jamaats attended this important event on very short notice of just two days. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 29, pp. 125-131)

28 May 1920: On this day, a speech on the influence of Islam on India was delivered by the Ahmadiyya missionary, Maulvi Fateh Muhammad Sayal MA at the hall of the Western and Eastern London Lecture Society.

For more details of this gathering, see: “100 Years Ago… – Calling London unto Allah” at alhakam.org (10 July 2020, p. 7)

28 May 1924: On this day, Samuel Marinus Zwemer, the renowned orientalist missionary, visited Qadian. He had the honour of meeting with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra and toured the central institutions of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Zwemer later published a circular highlighting the growing influence of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Europe and America. He also documented his experiences in Qadian in an article titled “Islam in India” in The Church Missionary Review.

For more details of his visit, see: “Coming from every distant track: American missionary, Samuel Marinus Zwemer, visits Qadian” at alhakam.org (12 March 2021, pp. 11-12).

29 May 1947: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra delivered a speech and advised the Muslims of India to act with perfect planning and to be aware of the sensitivity of the ongoing situation amidst the escalating tensions and political turmoil leading up to the partition of India.

For more details, see “Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s services to the Muslim cause: Guidance and support to leaders of the Pakistan Movement”, at alhakam.org (5 March 2021, p. 20).

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)

30 May 1908: After the sad demise of the Promised Messiah^as, the first-ever meeting of Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya took place in the blessed era of Khilafat. Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad^ra presided at the meeting. This session decided on three different pressing matters. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 3, pp. 207-208)

30 May 1955: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra went to Geneva during his tour of Europe. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 16, p. 528)

30 May 1978: On this day, the American Institute of Physics (AIP) awarded the John Torrence Tate Medal to an Ahmadi scientist, Dr Abdus Salam for his contributions to theoretical physics and for providing opportunities for collaboration between scientists from all countries. The Tate Medal is given to non-US citizens who demonstrate international leadership in physics, with an emphasis on service to the physics community, statesmanship, and leadership. The award includes a gold medal, an award certificate, and $1,000. (“Profile of Dr. Abdus Salam”, www.alislam.org)