Musharaf Ahmed
Muavin Sadr, Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya UK
On the occasion of the National Waqf-e-Nau Ijtema 2018, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“In terms of tabligh, from a young age Waqifeen-e-Nau should have the habit of spreading the message of Islam. Thus, at weekends or during holidays, you should do tabligh and play your role in defending Islam from the false allegations that are levelled against it. Both the Jamaat and Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya should host tabligh functions and events and so you should offer your services and try to help as much as possible.”
On the morning of 24 October 2018, 23 Waqifeen-e-Nau gathered at the Fazl Mosque to embark on a historic trip to southern Spain. After being briefed about the importance of this trip, the group set off to London Stansted Airport.
Upon arrival at Malaga Airport, they were welcomed by Qaisar Mahmood Malik Sahib who took the group to Masjid Basharat, Pedro Abad.
Before departing, one Waqf-e-Nau, Aosaf Ahmad Basra said:
“I wanted to go on this trip because it is a trip organised by the Jamaat and as a Waqf-e-Nau I want to be a part of a group that is going for the sole purpose of experiencing Spain with the sprit which the Jamaat has in terms of brotherhood. And for me, it is a blessed trip not like any other trips. It is a trip where I can go and spread the message of Islam and learn from other Waqifeen-e-Nau as well as from the Jamaat. And as a guest of the Jamaat, it is an honour for me to go. The aim for me for this trip is to make myself a better Ahmadi, a better Waqf-e-Nau and to realise what I can do in the world in terms of my duty and my obligations as an Ahmadi.”
The Waqifeen-e-Nau started each day by offering the Tahajjud and Fajr prayer. After having breakfast, they would visit different historical sites according to their timetable. The trip started with the city of Seville where they began to see the Cathedral. It was originally built by Muslims during the Islamic empire as the main Mosque of Seville, which over time has become one of the largest churches. From there, they moved on to see the Real Alcazar, which was the King’s palace.
Each day after visiting the respected heritage sites, they would spend time doing tabligh by distributing leaflets to the public and involving in one-to-one discussions.
On the third day, the group visited the Great Mosque of Cordoba which at one time was the largest mosque in the world. A Waqf-e-Nau named Faran Ahmad described his observations in the following words:
“I have really enjoyed looking at the calligraphy… and have learnt that it was once made by Muslims.”
Another Waqf-e-Nau, Kaleem Ahmad, commented whilst visiting “Medina Azahara” (ruins of a vast, fortified Moorish medieval palace-city):
“I have been here before but have not seen this place, so it is a different and unique experience, especially enjoying my time with all the brothers.”
Another important aspect worth mentioning is that the Waqifeen also had the chance to go and pray at the grave of Maulana Karam Ilahi Zafar Sahib, the pioneering missionary of Spain.
One of the sites Waqifeen-e-Nau managed to visit was Alhambram, which is a palace and fortress complex located in Granada. Seeing the site, a Ziaullah Ehsan who also took part in the trip expressed his emotions in the following words:
“Coming here, a person feels two profound emotions. One is a sense of great pride, witnessing how great and eminent the status of the Islamic Empire once was. However, alongside it, one also feels remorse and grief at how this once great kingdom of Muslims in Spain is no longer there.”
He added: “Since the main purpose of our visit is the propagation of Islam, we are distributing flyers and leaflets. There is a great need for people to continue to come here and spread the message of Islam Ahmadiyya.”
Waqifeen-e-Nau also had the opportunity to visit Gibraltar and the city of Malaga. A distinctive part of this trip was a sitting with Amir Sahib Spain in which he explained to us the history of Islam and Ahmadiyyat in Spain.
Waqifeen-e-Nau offered all their prayers in congregation. 11 Waqifeen-e-Nau completed reading the book of the Promised Messiahas Noah’s Ark during this trip and every Waqf-e-Nau partook in tabligh through distributing leaflets.
3,500 leaflets were distributed in total from 24 October to 31 October 2018. This trip was organised by the department of Waqf-e-Nau in Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya UK.