April brings with it, for most of the northern hemisphere, a season that represents life – Spring.
By the grace and blessings of Allah, we are witnessing the revival of a newspaper of the Jamaat started in the blessed time of the Promised Messiahas. It came to fruition, for its relaunch in the English language, on the blessed occasion of Promised Messiah Day, which also happened to be a Friday.
Al Hakam was made available on the internet last Friday, 23 March 2018 and we are already witnessing the acceptance of the prayers that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa wrote for the newspaper in his special message upon the launch of the first issue of this newspaper. If we were only to mention one manner in which we have seen these prayers accepted, we would pick the feedback that we received after the launch last week.
Praise be to Allah, for the concept of an English newspaper being published from the Markaz and the content of the first issue was appreciated by many.
This would not have been possible without the prayers and blessings of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. We humbly request all readers to continue to remember the Al Hakam team in their prayers that we are able to deliver the newspaper in accord with the expectations of our beloved Imamaa.
As a newspaper should, we will endeavour to bring to our readers the news of latest events taking place here in London. News from Jamaats around the world are also on the agenda. But the very idea behind the relaunch of Al Hakam was not to just live in the moment but also to bring to light the glorious history of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.
History is usually, albeit arguably, seen as the study of the past. But what we need to remember is that time is a flowing stream of events; everything happening in the “present” is instantaneously falling into the realms of the “past”.
While we bring to you the “present” we will also bring to you events that have shaped the marvellous history of this ever-progressing Jamaat.
While “From the Markaz” will cover a recent news story, we will include, parallel to it, the rich legacy behind it, in “From the Archives”. “100 years ago…” will have news or an article published in Al Hakam or other Jamaat newspapers, dating back a whole century from that very week.
“Letters to the Editor”, traditionally so, will have your views and comments. We are seeking to establish this column to instigate healthy discussions and not only feedback on the newspaper. If you do not see your letter appear in the column, it should not be taken to mean that your comments or feedback have not been acknowledged; the editors will always read your letter and take on board your constructive feedback.
What else will you see in the paper? It does not all need to be told. Seeing is believing. Have a look every Friday as we put together for you a bouquet of articles, news and much more.