A glimpse into the rich history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat
8 November 1939: On this day, an eminent Turkish pilot, Saifuddin Bay, visited Qadian. He was accompanied by Dr Muhammad Salim Bay, who was attached to the Turkish Army then. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra received these honourable guests and they had a chance to enjoy his blessed company. (Al Fazl, 11 November 1939, p. 2)
8 November 1965: Owing to his restless and tiresome struggle for Islam Ahmadiyyat, over the years, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra health continued a prolonged process of slow decline. On this day, at 2:20 am, he passed away in Rabwah, Pakistan. On the same day, after the Isha prayer, the electoral college held its proceedings and announced the election of Hazrat Hafiz Mirza Nasir Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, as Khalifatul Masih III. Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmadrh led the funeral prayer the very next day at around 4:30 pm, which was attended by thousands of members of the Jamaat. He also delivered a short speech, which was followed by the funeral prayer. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 23, p. 147-149)
9 November 1905: On this day, the Promised Messiahas was in Amritsar and delivered a lecture there. For this purpose, Advocate Rai Kunahya Lal’s lecture hall was booked. The lecture began at 8 am, but opponents of the Promised Messiahas began to disrupt this blessed event with their uncivilised behaviour. Huzooras started his journey towards Batala soon afterwards. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 429)
10 November 1920:Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra, who served as a pioneering missionary in the US, sent a letter to present to the audience of Jalsa Salana Qadian. It was read out on 28 December 1920. This important letter was written on this day, from 4334 Ellis Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
To read the English translation of this letter, see: “100 Years Ago… – Mufti Sahib’s letter for Jalsa Salana Qadian, 1920” at alhakam.org (29 January 2021, pp. 16-18).
11 November 1949: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra visited Sargodha, a city located to the northwest of Rabwah and at a distance of around 50 kilometres, upon the invitation of Malik Sahib Khan Noon, retired Deputy Commissioner. After delivering the Friday sermon and leading the Jummah prayer, Huzoorra proceeded towards the Company Bagh to address a large crowd gathered to listen to him. Huzoor’sra two-hour-long talk was listened to carefully. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 12, p. 41)
11 November 1983:On this day, while delivering the Friday sermon at Masjid Aqsa, Rabwah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh announced an expansion of the Buytul-Hamd Scheme and appealed to members of the Jamaat to contribute 10 million rupees for this cause. This fund aims to assist those in need with building, repairing, expanding, and other housing needs. (Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 2, pp. 571-577)
11 November 1984: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh drew the attention of the members of the Jamaat to memorising the Holy Quran. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 4, p. 832)
11 November 2005: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa inaugurated the Nasir Mosque in Hartlepool, UK. (Al Fazl International, London, 6 January 2006)
12 November 1982: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh encouraged the members of the Jamaat to put an end to any mutual disputes. (Silsila Ahmadiya, Vol. 4, p. 819)
12 November 2013: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa returned safely to the Fazl Mosque, London, after a historic tour of four countries lasting more than seven weeks. Huzooraa flew directly from Tokyo back to London, having visited Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. (“Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Returns to UK,” www.pressahmadiyya.com)
13 November 1925: In the aftermath of the French bombardment of Damascus, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra strongly condemned this barbaric crime during his Friday sermon, delivered on this day. Huzoorra also backed the idea of Syrian independence from the French mandate. (Al Fazl, 21 November 1925)
13 November 1948: On this day, France witnessed a unique gathering convened in a public hall, which was presided over by a professor of Paris University. An Ahmadi missionary, Malik Ata-ur-Rahman Sahib spoke at this event and introduced the message of the Jamaat. 1,000 published invitations were sent on this special occasion. Posters were printed and the meeting was also announced on radio and in the press. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 11, p. 20)
14 November 1912: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira called the members of Jamaat to divert a part of their financial sacrifices to the fund established for the wounded soldiers of the Italo-Turkish War. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 3, p. 127)
14 November 1928: The railway line connecting Qadian to the rest of India was nearing completion. On this historic occasion, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra urged the members of the Jamaat to remain steadfast in their loyalty to God and to continually seek His mercy. The project itself had been initiated suddenly, but after many days and nights of tireless effort, the railway track finally reached Qadian on this day.
To learn more about the history of this development, see “Arrival of electric train engine in Qadian: A new milestone” at alhakam.org (2 April 2021, p. 6-7).