A glimpse into the rich history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat
4 April 1947: In the main hall of Talim-ul-Islam College Qadian, the Jamaat’s 3-day Majlis-e-Mushawarat commenced on this day. A total of 461 representatives were present. In the session held on 5 April, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra presented a demand of 200,000 rupees for the security of Markaz. A sum of 375,000 rupees was consequently collected in promises on the spot. Moreover, Huzoorra announced several other appeals and significant measures for the security of the Markaz.
To read the full reporting of the proceedings and sermons of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, see: Khitabat-e-Shura, Vol. 3, pp. 225-304 at new.alislam.org.
4 April 2004: During his 2004 visit to Africa, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa travelled by plane from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso to Benin International Cotonou Airport. This was a historic moment as, for the very first time, the Khalifatul Masih set foot in Benin. On this occasion, the Sultan of Agadis of neighbouring Niger was also present with his delegation to welcome Huzooraa. (Al Fazl, 16 April 2004, p. 2)
5 April 1948: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra delivered a lecture at the Special Government Hall in Peshawar, titled “Pakistanion se khuli khuli baatein”, as part of a series of lectures titled “Istihkam-e-Pakistan” — The Consolidation of Pakistan.
For more details, see “‘Consolidation of Pakistan’: Lectures by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud on how Pakistan can see success”, at alhakam.org (6 May 2022, p. 10).
5 April 2004: While in Benin, on this date, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa travelled 55 kilometres from Porto-Novo and visited the Calavi-based jamaat. More than 1,700 people from 17 different regions had travelled for hundreds of kilometres to meet Huzooraa.
Later that evening, Huzooraa laid the foundation stone of the Portonovo Mosque. At night, he met with Ahmadi doctors to review services and hospitals in Africa. (Al Fazl, 16 April 2004, p. 2)
6 April 1933: On this day, M. A. Jinnah attended a reception at the Fazl Mosque in London, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha. Reporting on this, the Sunday Times of London wrote on 9 April, under the heading “The Wimbledon Mosque”:
“[T]here was also a large gathering in the grounds of the little mosque in Melrose Road, Wimbledon, where Mr Jinnah, the famous Indian Moslem, spoke on India’s future. The chair was taken by Sir Nairne Stewart Sandeman, MP, and there were quite a number of other non-Moslems present.
“Mr Jinnah made unfavourable comments on the Indian ‘White Paper’ and the ‘safeguards’ from a national point of view. The chairman, in reply, took up the Churchill attitude on the subject, and this led to heckling by some of the Muslim students present, who were, however, eventually calmed by the Imam of the Mosque.”
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).
6 April 2004: During his visit to Benin, on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa travelled a long way to the north of the country to meet with Ahmadis. Huzooraa also met with the King of Allada. Huzoor then met the King of Dassa, and then travelled about 200 km and reached Parakou, the third-largest city in the country. In addition to the greeters, the first Ahmadi of Niger welcomed Huzooraa in an emotional embrace. Mulaqats with Ahmadis continued till late at night. (Al Fazl, 16, April 2004, p. 3)
7 April 1934: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra embarked on his first-ever visit to Lyallpur (now Faisalabad), British India.
The Civil and Military Gazette, on 10 April, reported under the heading “Ahmadiyas at Lyallpur”:
“For the first time in the history of Lyallpur, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad, Head of the Ahmadiya Community, visited Lyallpur and today delivered a message to a huge gathering of his followers. In the evening, he was entertained at a garden party in the Dist. Engineer’s Bungalow.”
For more details, see “‘Our sole objective is to foster a connection between God and His servants’: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s first-ever visit to Lyallpur, 1934”, at alhakam.org (7 April 1934, p. 8).
8 April 1988: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih IVrh inaugurated the new building of the Baitur Rahman Mosque in Glasgow, Scotland and delivered the Friday sermon. (Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 7, pp. 229-244)
8 April 2006: During Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V’saa stay in Singapore, 331 Ahmadis from 65 families had the opportunity to meet with Huzooraa.
Huzooraa also held a meeting with the national majlis-e-amila of Indonesia in which he gave special guidance to the sadr of Majlis Ansarullah and the sadr of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Indonesia.
Further, the national majlis-e-amila of Lajna Imaillah Singapore met with Huzooraa separately and received guidance and instructions. (Al Fazl International, 5 May 2006)
9 April 1908: On this day, Badr published a letter to the Promised Messiahas by Hazrat Munshi Muhammad Haider Khanra from Ceylon, wherein he mentioned some Ceylonese individuals who accepted the Promised Messiahas, and some who had a keen interest in Huzoor’sas teachings. He mentioned an individual named Abdul Azeez, who was the president of a Muslim association there, who later accepted Ahmadiyyat through a letter.
For more details, see “Early history of Ahmadiyyat in Ceylon: A glimpse into the Ceylonese newspapers”, at alhakam.org (26 January 2024, p. 10).
9 April 2004: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa led Fajr prayer at the first mosque of Porto-Novo, Benin, Masjid al-Tawheed. Later that day, Huzooraa delivered a Friday sermon at the same mosque, which was broadcast live on MTA.
The President of the National Assembly of Benin met with Huzooraa. Representatives of the press interviewed Huzooraa. On the same day, Huzooraa visited the University of Benin and met with its administration. (Al Fazl International, 30 July 2004)
10 April 2004: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa inaugurated Benin’s MTA Studios. Then, the National Amila of Majlis Ansarullah and Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya had separate meetings with Huzooraa. (Al Fazl International, 30 July 2004)
10 April 2017: On this date, whilst in Germany, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa inaugurated the Aafiyat Mosque located in the city of Waldshut-Tiengen. This mosque is historic in the sense that it is the 50th mosque of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Germany.
Marking the opening of this mosque, a special reception was held, which was attended by 110 dignitaries and guests.
In his address, Huzooraa explained the purpose of mosques and explained the beautiful teachings of Islam. Huzooraa said: “According to the teachings of Islam, it is compulsory for a true Muslim to stand ever ready to protect the places of worship of all religions, whether they be churches, synagogues or any other.” (“50th Ahmadiyya Mosque in Germany opened in Waldshut-Tiengen by Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community”, www.pressahmadiyya.com, 13 April 2017)