Syed Adeel Shah, Atfal UK Team
In March 2021, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa instructed Majlis Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya to particularly focus on the tarbiyat of 14-15-year-old atfal.
Speaking to mohtamim atfal of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Mauritius, Huzooraa stated:
“When boys reach the age of 14 or 15, they normally develop different preferences and often become lazy with regard to the religious activities of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. So, this is a very crucial time and age for the atfal where you should strive to keep them closer to you. Always try to attach them to their religion and involve them in the activities of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community as much as you can.”
Later in the meeting, Huzooraa again emphasised the importance of the moral training of the youth at 14 and 15 years of age.
Huzooraa said:
“Try to make programmes which are of interest to the older atfal and the khuddam. Ask them what type of activities they think will be beneficial for them and do not only just follow the traditional programmes and plans. […] Try to find out from them, what do they suggest? As long as their suggestions are within the four walls of the traditions of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the teachings of Islam then you can make your plans accordingly. In this way, you can increase the number of atfal and khuddam taking part in your activities.”
Keeping with this instruction, Majlis Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya UK has tried to hold events targeted at 14-15 years old atfal with input from atfal on what they would like to do.
As part of this initiative, on 1 to 3 July 2022, a retreat was held by Majlis Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya UK where 54 atfal aged 14-15 years from the South of the UK attended.
The highlight of the retreat was having the chance to pray behind Huzooraa and also the fact that Huzooraa, out of his sheer love and kindness, graced the atfal with a mulaqat whereby after the Asr prayer, atfal stood outside the Mubarak Mosque and atfal had the honour and blessing of spending precious moments with Huzooraa. Huzooraa enquired how many atfal had come and from where. Huzooraa asked a tifl who had come from South West England about where he had come from. This was a most special moment for the tifl. Whilst speaking to his parents, the tifl explained how this was the best moment of his life.
The atfal felt this was a most precious and blessed moment for them.
One of the atfal named Faris said he felt very emotional as he had not met Huzooraa for almost three years.
Subhan Saboor said:
“It was quite emotional because after a long time I saw Huzooraa from so close. It is great that Covid restrictions have now been eased. I used to see Huzooraa every day in the Fazl Mosque because I live very close to the mosque but then it all changed. This was such an amazing moment.”
Fouzaan from the Fazl Mosque region had recently come from Pakistan and it was the first time at the retreat that he had the chance to pray behind Huzooraa after coming from Pakistan. He said he felt very special and he would tell his grandmother about this moment as well because his grandmother used to tell him that he would meet Huzooraa one day and that dream was now fulfilled.
Athar from Baitul Futuh region said that he really saw Huzoor’s nur [divine light] during the mulaqat. He said people always commented saying that Huzooraa had nur on his face and yesterday, he himself saw that. He was overjoyed like the other atfal to see Huzooraa.”
