Martyrdoms in Afghanistan and international reaction
Early in February (1925), two of our brothers, Maulvi Abdul Halim and Mir Ali, may they rest in peace, were stoned to death in Afghanistan, at which the whole civilised world was shocked and sympathised with us.
Very soon, however, the Afghan government met with condign punishment at the hands of Italy.
Missionary expansion across India
Then, missionaries were sent from Qadian to all parts of India, who trumpeted forth the advent of the Promised Messiahas and shook the country all over to awaken it from its deep sleep.
Establishment of missions in Persia, Java and Syria
Missions were opened in Persia, Java, and Syria, where Ahmadiyya jamaats are now established.
Defence of the Holy Prophet’sas honour in the press
August was marked by the ignominious cartoon published in The Star, against which a strong protest was immediately made to make the paper apologise. The whole world of Islam was indignant and The Morning Post had to warn its contemporaries by saying:
“There is no doubt whatever that, quite unwittingly, the cartoon has committed a serious offence which, had it taken place in this country (India), would almost certainly have led to bloodshed.”
Commencement of the first London Mosque
England cannot forget September, in which the building of the first London mosque was commenced. The Abbey of Glastonbury, the first church in England, it is said, was built by Joseph of Arimathea and his eleven companions.
The foundation of this (Ahmadiyya London) mosque was also laid by a “Joseph of Arimathea” – the Khalifatul Masih II, whom God has given the name of Joseph. The word “Arimathea” is derived from “Rama”, which signifies “an eminence.” Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] is no doubt an eminent personality.
He came from the East with the same number of companions, and it is a strange coincidence that the building of this Mosque was also begun by the same number of disciples of the Promised Messiahas. We believe, therefore, that the time is coming when this mosque will truly “be reckoned the source and origin of all religion in England” by kings, as the Abbey of Glastonbury was declared by Henry II in a charter of 1184.
Amalgamation of Sadar Anjuman Ahmadiyya and Nazarat
The most important change which has taken place during the year (1925), however, is the amalgamation of the Sadar Anjuman Ahmdiyya and the Nazarat. It was really overdue for a long time. It marks an epoch in the history of our Jamaat.
Change in the political and religious world
In the outside world, we notice the gathering together of the Jews in Palestine, “the shaking of the palace of the Shah of Persia” and “the calamity of Damascus.”
In the religious world, we find “the old order changeth, yielding place to new.” The expulsion of Sh. Abdul Rarzag from Azhar and the over zealousness of Mustapha Kemal Pasha are no doubt a sign of the disintegration of the faith of present-day Muslims. To take advantage of this, Christian missionaries are concentrating their attention upon Islam. A large number of books have been published to show that there is a great opportunity for Christianity. Missionary societies have held special meetings all over the world to lay special stress on the need for better organised work among [what they call] “Muhammadans”.
But curiously enough, side by side with all these activities of the missionaries against Islam, we have heard repeated cries from Christendom, “Christianity has been killed by its own adherents.”
In spite of the efforts made at Stockholm, Oxford and Eastbourne to simplify reforms and unify Christianity, the churches are declared to be crumbling. People revolt and refuse to believe in the dogmas of Christianity. The evolution trial of America has completely shaken the belief of Christendom in the Bible. The coming mysterious change in the minds of the British people has been amply demonstrated through the pages of The Daily Express.
The open and most unreserved avowal of the greatest writers of England against Christianity has been fitly called “a very striking sign of the times.” It has no parallel in history.
Let us then hope for the best and welcome the New Year.
Divine revelation and communion with God
Dr Rufus Jones says:
“The most striking effect of such experience (the mystical experience of communion) is not new fact-knowledge, not new items of empirical information, but new moral energy, enlarged spiritual vision, and an unusual radiant power of life.”
We agree with Dr Jones in saying that communion with God is necessarily characterised by the moral and spiritual elevation of the person enjoying such a communion, but it is not quite true to say that “new fact-knowledge” is not revealed by God. The gift of prophecy is not unknown. God has revealed many a future event to the prophets of all ages.
Even now, Prophet Ahmadas of Qadian has shown to the world on a great many occasions that new fact-knowledge is no doubt granted by God to His chosen ones. Rather, it is a gift which is the distinguishing feature of a Prophet, in which none else can equal him.
Chicago mission
The Rev. John E Merrill, PhD, Principal of Boys High School, Aleppo, formerly President of Central Turkey College, Aintab, says:
“No doubt ignorance of the language of the country and difference in religion have contributed greatly to the peculiar isolation of the Moslem in America. Without doubt, also, many Christians could be found ready to extend a sincere and hearty welcome if the need were understood and the necessary opportunity provided. Yet it remains true that the Ahmadiyya Movement, with its missionary centre for America in Chicago, is able to conduct among the [black] population of that city an effective propaganda for Islam, based upon the racial inequality which characterises Christian civilisation, as compared with the brotherhood of Islam, which knows no colour line.”
The Muslim Sunrise
Dr. Zwemer writes:
The first magazine published by Muslims in the English language in the United States of America bears the title of “The Moslem Sunrise.” This quarterly represents the Ahmadiyya Movement.
Its first number contained a New Year greeting, a prayer for all its readers, followed by a transliteration and translation of Surah 31:13-20, the thirteen Commandments of Luqman to his son. There follow some sayings of Mohammad[sa]. An Australian Muslim tells how “Prohibition is prohibited” in the United States. […]
The magazine has a large circulation outside of the United States. On the inside cover, a list of its agents abroad is printed, and in a recent issue, two pages are devoted to lists of converts made in the United States.
Our missionaries
The Rev. Murray T Titus BL (Barrister-at-Law), District Superintendent, Methodist Episcopal Church, North India Conference, Moradabad District, says:
“It is with this (the duty of Islamic India to take the lead in advancing Islamic learning) same conviction of responsibility for the Faith that the Ahmady missionary goes to the ends of the earth.”
We thank the Rev. gentleman for the compliment which he has paid to our missionaries, but we must point out that the zeal of the Ahmadi missionaries is not based upon any national feeling. They are enthused and inspired by the second advent of Jesusas. He has quickened the dead and thousands have left their tombs and scattered in the cities to bear witness to the Glory of God.
Audacity of missionaries
The Rev. James L Barton, DD, LLD, Senior Foreign Secretary, American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, writes:
“The Ahmadiyya Movement has absorbed some of the principles of Christianity, especially upon the side of ethics. It is a sign of progress in the direction of intellectual emancipation.”
And another Rev. from Cairo writes:
“The Ahmadiyya Movement particularly, both in its organisation and in its publications, follows closely the Christian model.”
Is it not sufficient to make an Ahmadi laugh? This is how some of our well-informed Christian evangelists try to throw dust in the eyes of the Western people. To cut the ground from beneath their feet, we quote here a passage from an article by Mr James Douglas (in the Daily Express), who is investigating the present beliefs of Christendom. He writes:
“Many men and many women tell me that they cannot live the spiritual life as it is taught by Jesus. They say it is not possible or practicable in the world as it is to secure peace of mind at so great a price. They declare that the Sermon on the Mount is a counsel of perfection which would disintegrate and destroy society. No man and no nation, they maintain, could put the Beatitudes into practice without ruin and disaster.”
Is this the Christian model in organisation and ethics?
(Transcribed and edited by Al Hakam from the original English, published in the January 1926 issue of The Review of Religions)