Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, delivered a brief address in Urdu before the inaugural pledge of allegiance and initiation at the gathering at Islamabad, Tilford, Surrey on 23 April 2003 and the funeral prayers of Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IV. Its English translation is set out below:

‘In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful,

Dearest community of the Promised Messiah, on whom be peace.

O evergreen extensions of his being.

Assalamu alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuhu

Our hearts are saddened and our eyes are tearful because a most loving personality has departed from us. However, we submit to the Divine Command of ‘kulluman ‘alaiha faan’: ‘All that is on it (earth) will pass away.’ [Holy Qur’an 55: v.27]

The spectacular advancement of the Jama’at (community) we witnessed during the Fourth Khilafat warrants no explanation. Pursuant to the method taught to us by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (Allah have mercy on him), on how to bid farewell to the one departing and to welcome the incoming one, I stand here today and in its compliance, request you that we make a pledge that, ‘O you, the one who has departed – the swiftness you employed to advance the mission of the Promised Messiah^(as) to enable the faith of the Holy Prophet^(sa) to dominate the world – we shall always continue to make sacrifices, all kind of sacrifices, for the advancement of this mission. We bear witness that you most certainly honoured your commitment. May thousands of blessings and grace be on your soul. Amin.

Next, in welcoming the incoming [Khalifa], we make a pledge bearing witness to Allah the Exalted that in order to convey the message of peace and security of the Holy Prophet^(sa) to the world and to assemble the entire world under his banner, and likewise to support the establishment of the Ahmadiyya Khilafat, we shall be ready to make any sacrifice. For this, we will always support you [the Khalifatul Masih] with prayers.

Pray that Allah the Exalted displays more than before the Second Manifestation of Divine support and triumph that He has always exhibited to the Community. May He forgive our shortcomings and ingratitude and may He cover our inadequacies. With His grace alone, indeed with His grace alone, may He cover my shortcomings.

May He never remove His Hand of mercy from us, never remove it, never remove it! Amin, Ya Rabbul ‘Aalamin!