This Week in History: 27 October – 2 November

A glimpse into the rich history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat

27 October 1904: On this day, the Promised Messiah^as embarked on his journey towards the city of Sialkot. The entourage commenced its journey from Qadian at 4 am. The Promised Messiah^as covered half the distance seated in a palki (palanquin) and the other half of the journey, towards Batala, on foot. He reached Batala by 8 am. From Batala Railway Station, a second-class rail carriage was reserved for the travelling party. Hazrat Ahmad^as reached Sialkot at around 6 pm. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 359)

28 October 2016: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa delivered a lecture at York University in Toronto, Canada, in front of an audience of more than 180 guests, including academics, politicians, the media and thought leaders.

The event, titled “Justice in an Unjust World”, was organised by Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada in collaboration with York University.

During his address, Huzoor^aa spoke of the increase in conflicts the world has experienced and the heightened risk of another world war. (“Justice in an Unjust World – Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community delivers historic lecture at York University”, www.pressahmadiyya.com)

29 October 1982: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV^rh launched the Buyutul Hamd Scheme for building homes for the poor as a gesture of gratitude for the inauguration of the Basharat Mosque in Spain. This was the first financial scheme during his Khilafat. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 4, p. 818)

29 October 2013: On this day, during the tour of New Zealand, a Maori king hosted a reception in honour of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa. Huzoor^aa was welcomed by King Tuheitia at the Turangawaewae Marae in New Zealand and given a traditional welcome by the Maori community. (“Muslim Leader Presents Quran to Maori King”, www.pressahmadiyya.com)

30 October 1913: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I^ra laid the foundation stone of Hazrat Maulvi Sher Ali’s^ra house.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I^ra laid two bricks with his own hand, and then the third brick was placed by Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad^ra. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 3, p. 468)

31 October 1902: The weekly newspaper Al Badr started its publication from Qadian on this day. Earlier, it had brought out its sample issue under the title of Al Qadian, which the Promised Messiah^as renamed.

Upon the commencement of this newspaper, Hazrat Hazrat Hakeem Noor-ud-Deen^ra extended his support for it and also wrote some articles. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 221)

31 October 1980: The annual ijtema of Majlis Ansarullah was inaugurated on this day. The live English translation of the speeches of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III^rh was available for listening via headphones for the first time. (Tarikh Ansarullah, Vol. 2, p. 119)

1 November 2013: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa inaugurated the Baitul Muqeet Mosque in Auckland, New Zealand, with his Friday Sermon. The inauguration took place on the first day of the 25^th Jalsa Salana of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya New Zealand. (“Special Reception Held to Mark Inauguration of Auckland Ahmadiyya Mosque”, www.pressahmadiyya.com)

2 November 1924: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra started the next phase of his journey back to Qadian from Europe, as he boarded his ship from Venice, in the northeast of Italy. Hazrat Maulvi Abdur Rahim Dard^ra had sent this news to Hazrat Maulvi Sher Ali^ra who was in Qadian serving as Amir-e-Muqami. (Al Fazl, 6 November 1924, p. 1)