Rabeeb Ahmad Mirza, MKA, UK
In 2022, under the instruction of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya UK undertook its first Waqf-e-Arzi journey to Argentina. In the following year, another Khuddam delegation visited Guatemala and were able to distribute a total of 20,500 leaflets to the native population. This year, Huzooraa took a historic pledge from Ahmadis across the globe at the Ijtema of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya UK, that they would “endeavour to convey and propagate the teachings of Islam Ahmadiyyat and the blessed name of the Holy Prophetsa to the corners of the earth until my dying breath.”
Whilst travelling to Chile, six khuddam from the UK had the opportunity to convey the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat to the local population. Chile, a country in western South America, shares its borders with Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. Spanish is the national language with 78% of the 19 million plus population identifying themselves as Christians. The delegation was joined by members from Argentina and Bolivia in Chile. Below is a brief report of our daily tabligh activities in Chile.
Day 1 and 2
All members had an audience with Huzooraa. Huzooraa graciously led all members in a silent prayer and bid them farewell with the words of “Allah hafiz ho” (May Allah be your Protector).
Thereafter, Sadr Sahib MKA UK gave some standing instructions in relation to travelling.
We then boarded our flight which arrived in São Paulo Airport in Brazil. We had a two and a half hour stay in Brazil. We boarded our flight destined for Santiago, Chile. We were received by the missionary Ata-ul-Mannan Sahib, and were taken to our accommodation for the duration of our stay in Chile, located in Las Condes, which is a 20 minute drive from the airport.
Day 3
In spite of being jet-lagged khuddam began the day with the Tahajjud prayer. Within walking distance, we used the Metro to make our way to our first destination for leafleting in Chile. From the Alcantara station we travelled for over 30 minutes to Universidad De Chile.
Starting at 10 am and concluding at 4:15 pm we covered the area of Plaza de Armas. A local Argentinian Ahmadi who was staying with us for the duration of the trip also accompanied us. A total of 3800 leaflets were distributed and 2 banners, including “I’m a Muslim ask me anything,” were also used to draw the attention of the public.
Misconceptions regarding women in Islam, polygamy and Jihad, etc. were removed. Discussions about the current geopolitical situation were also held and the Jamaat’s perspective was also given. The majority of the responses received were very positive. We did receive some negative responses to the extent that someone remarked “Terrorists” whilst another person said “Go back home,” but overall, the Chilean nation seems intrigued and eager to learn about Islam.
We returned to our accommodation at 4:30 pm to offer the Zuhr and Asr prayers in the congregation. At 5:50 pm, we made our way to the residence of the British Ambassador to Chile Mrs. Louise De Sousa which was located at a walking distance of 3 minutes. During this meeting, Marwan Gill Sahib spoke about the need for peace, to which she remarked:
“I could not have agreed with you more with your message for global peace especially in the Middle East. I don’t think there is anybody in my government that would disagree with this message. We need more organisations like you to come and meet us and remind us of our responsibilities as politicians.”
Hibat ul Mohsin Sahib introduced the Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya and the “Voices for Peace” campaign. A gift bag was prepared for her, which included a certificate of appreciation, the English translation of the Holy Quran and the book The Great Western Revival, and also a folder containing Huzoor’saa address at Peace Symposium 2024.
We then made our way back to our accommodation to offer the Maghrib and Isha prayers in the congregation at 7:30 pm.
After dinner, we also had the chance to meet an Ahmadi husband and wife who had converted to Islam Ahmadiyyat in 2011 and in this way, they are the first Chilean converts to Islam Ahmadiyyat.
Day 4
We left to distribute leaflets at 9:4 5 am. From Alcantara Station, we travelled to Universidad Catolica. We finished the leafletting by 4:15 pm where we distributed 5600 leaflets. Apart from this, during the day between 2 and 2:50 pm Marwan Sahib and Mohsin Sahib met with the Deputy Ambassador of UK and the same message regarding “Voices for Peace” was conveyed.
Many people were receptive and expressed their solidarity with the Palestinians. They also expressed their anxieties and worries in relation to the current tensions between Iran and Israel.
We then retired to our accommodation, where we offered the Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha prayers on their appointed times and in congregation.
Day 5
We left to distribute leaflets at 9:45 am. From Alcantara Station, we travelled to Los Heroes station. We distributed 4000 leaflets.
As the Los Heroes station was situated near an Arts University, many students were asking about the message we were delivering and our view on the current political situation. At around 12:30 pm, we retired back to our accommodation and took a break for salat and lunch.
Alongside this, Marwan Sahib, Mohsin Sahib and Nassar Sahib met with a few dignitaries during this period. One of the meetings included an audience with the President of the Senate in Chile, Senator Jose Garcia Ruminot. During the meeting, the importance of the “Voices for Peace” campaign was highlighted and how the political leaders of the world should play their roles in actively ensuring peace and justice in the world. At 3:30 pm, we left for the Human Rights event that took place. After the event. we were able to engage with some of the individuals at the event, including the Chilean Ambassador to the UK, a Moroccan businessman, some Colombian people, etc.
The Palestinian Ambassador to Chile and the President of DHSF (Fundacion Derechos Humanos Sin Fronteras) were given gift bags that included a certificate of appreciation, the booklet Israel-Palestine Conflict published by the UK Jamaat, and our “Muslims for Peace” leaflet. The book World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace in Arabic was also gifted to the Palestinian Ambassador.After this event, we distributed some more leaflets in the local area. We then retired to our accommodation, where we offered the Maghrib and Isha prayers in congregation.
Day 6
At 8 am, we congregated in one of the apartments to watch the live Friday sermon, delivered by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa.
Before the Jumuah prayer, Marwan Sahib and Nassar Sahib met with Omar Cortes, who is the Director of Faith. Marwan Sahib introduced the Jamaat to him.
Jumuah prayer was offered at 2:15 pm. Thereafter, we retired back to our accommodation for lunch. At 4:40 pm we left for Estacion Pio Nona Funicular Santiago which was situated at a distance of 20 minutes. This is a touristic place and the khuddam travelled to one of the highest points in Santiago known as Cerro San Cristobal via cable car. We left the area at 6:30 pm as we had to reach another engagement.
At 7 pm we headed to the house of the leader of the Enoc Foundation, Mr Nestor J. Soto Godoy. One of their members picked us up from the accommodation. The Enoc Foundation is a sect within Christianity here. Their beliefs tally to Roman Catholicism more so; however, they term themselves as a different sect. Mr Godoy had kindly invited us for dinner. We were able to engage with their members during this period of time. This dinner was in honour of the Sabbath Day as Mr Godoy explained that according to his understanding, this particular sacred day was not exclusive to the Jews; rather, it was a means for all the family to come together and learn about their faith. After food, both Mr Godoy and Marwan Sahib thanked each other for their friendship. Mr Godoy expressed gratitude for being hosted at the Jalsa Salana UK and remarked that Huzooraa is “a simple man with a special heart.” Marwan Sahib thereafter presented the Islamic teachings in relation to how Allah has enjoined the Muslims in the Holy Quran to invite the people of the book to come to a common ground. Hibbatul Muhsin Sahib also gifted Mr Godoy with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of MKA UK. After dinner, Mr Godoy gave us a tour of his home.
Day 7
We left at 10:15 am for Vina Del Mar situated 130 km from our accommodation. We had hired a van to take us. We reached around midday. Here we distributed a few leaflets.
Thereafter at around 5:15 pm, we travelled to the city of Valparaiso which was at a distance of 8km from Vina Del Mar. Historically speaking this city has a connection with Ahmadiyyat in the sense that the earthquake of 16 August 1906 that occurred here was cited by the Promised Messiahas as a sign of his truthfulness in Haqiqatul Wahi. Although Chile is a country that falls under the “ring of fire” in other words, it is hit by an abundance of seismic activity yet what is interesting to note is that after the birth of the Promised Messiahas more earthquakes have been recorded to have occurred in the last century alone in comparison to the period of 1420 to 1835 where only 19 earthquakes, including tsunamis struck Chile. Whereas up till now 110 earthquakes have struck Chile with a majority of them being over 7 on the seismic magnitude scales. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_earthquakes_in_Chile) The earthquake of 1906 which the Promised Messiahas quoted was recorded as having an intensity of an estimated 8.2 magnitude on the Richter scale.
118 years later, we had the opportunity to spread the message of the Promised Messiahas in a city that manifested a sign in support of his truthfulness. We distributed a few hundred leaflets here.
At 7:30 pm we left Valparaiso and returned back to Santiago. We reached our residency at 9 pm and offered our Maghrib and Isha prayers at 9:30 pm.
Day 8 and 9
After winding up in both apartments, all of us left for the airport as our flight and the flight to Argentina were close in timing. At 12:15 pm we departed for the airport with a silent prayer. We then bid an emotional farewell to brother Alejandro. We arrived at the airport at 12:40 pm. After lunch, we bid farewell to Marwan Sahib, Mannan Sahib and Abdullah Sahib. After boarding, our flight departed on schedule for 3 pm local time. Alhamdulillah, we landed at Heathrow Airport at 9:45 am. After collecting our baggage, we then parted ways. This was indeed a most blessed and soul-cleansing journey for us all.