أَشْھَدُ أَنْ لَّا إِلٰہَ اِلَّا اللّٰہُ وَحْدَہٗ لَا شَرِیکَ لَہٗ وَأَشْھَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُہٗ وَ رَسُوْلُہٗ

أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَأَعُوْذُ بِاللّٰہِ مِنَ الشَّیْطٰنِ الرَّجِیْمِ- بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِیْنَ۔ اَلرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ۔ مٰلِکِ یَوْمِ الدِّیْنِ۔ اِیَّا کَ نَعْبُدُ وَ اِیَّاکَ نَسْتَعِیْنُ۔

اِھْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِیْمَ۔ صِرَاطَ الَّذِیْنَ اَنْعَمْتَ عَلَیْھِمْ غَیْرِالْمَغْضُوْبِ عَلَیْھِمْ وَلَاالضَّآلِّیْنَ۔

These days I am receiving letters and faxes from different countries of the world in which people are congratulating me on the successful holding of the Annual Convention UK and also the expression that we watched the convention live through MTA and benefited from it. But real benefit and blessing only reaches us when we also make full effort that whatever we have seen and heard, we make it a means of improving our lives. No political matters occur here. No worldly matters were done—rather, even the worldly class of non-Muslims or non-Ahmadis who come to our convention as guests, when some special guests are given the opportunity to say something for two or three minutes, almost all of them, being impressed by this religious atmosphere, mostly mention those things which are part of the Community's teaching and lead toward high moral standards. In any case, the benefit of this convention is only when we make our conditions according to our teaching and apply what we have heard to ourselves, otherwise what we presented before these guests, what we heard, and which our guests generally praise—that will only be outward glitter. It will not be the expression of our inner self. A believer should be the same inside and outside. The world of today has its attention very much on us, and now the world joins our conventions through MTA. The Ahmadi world also, and some others also listen. The UK convention especially, is watched with great scrutiny. We spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on MTA. We spend this, for conveying the message through MTA only for this reason that our one very great purpose is that every member of the Community should be one who achieves the purpose of his life. The message should be reaching him at one time.

So our happiness and congratulations should not remain limited only to congratulations on the successful holding of the convention, but those who attended here also, and those who heard through MTA in the world also—whatever they have heard and seen—they should keep ruminating on it. Make it part of their lives. And express gratitude to God Almighty that in this materialistic age, He has made a worldly material invention a means for our reform, for our intellectual, practical, and theological progress, for our betterment. When television, internet, newspapers, and other means of publication are working for us, a believer's faith increases that fourteen hundred years ago, Allah the Exalted gave this glad tiding that in this age there will be such inventions which will help in spreading religion, and every day we see this prophecy being fulfilled in better and better manner. I will mention some things ahead, and will also report about the press—how Allah the Exalted conveys this message.

So for this, bowing before Allah the Exalted, we should always keep increasing in expressing gratitude, that this gratitude will bless us with further bounties and progress according to Allah the Exalted's command. Allah the Exalted says لَئِنۡ شَکَرۡتُمۡ لَاَزِیۡدَنَّکُمۡ (Ibrahim: 8)—that if you are grateful, I will certainly give you more and increase you more. This subject of gratitude, where it shows us the path of being grateful to Allah the Exalted, there it also draws attention toward gratitude to servants. The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said that one who does not express gratitude to servants does not express gratitude to God Almighty either. (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Abwab al-Birr wa al-Silah, Chapter on gratitude to those who do good to you, Hadith number 1955)

There were many volunteers. Allah the Exalted granted the ability to these workers that they tried to give the best shape to the convention arrangements. There is transport. There is accommodation. There is cooking. There is the convention venue. There are various programs. There is cleaning work. In the heat there is an arrangement for providing water. There is an arrangement for conveying sound, and then the arrangement that MTA made for conveying sound and scenes from here to the world. In short, if names are taken, countless departments are formed in which men also, women also, old people also, youth also, children also, girls also served, and made full effort to accomplish all the convention arrangements in the best manner according to their abilities and capacities. All the volunteers, who are in different departments—among them, some in their work are directors in some company, some are doctors, some are engineers, some are scientists, there are businesspeople. Then there are those who do their work, those who do labor. But all work unitedly. In the kitchen, regardless of who anyone is, he is standing in front of the fire where one hundred, two hundred large pots are placed on the fire and the heat is also extreme, and with great pleasure these people are stirring spoons in the pots, cooking food. Old and young—all are in this effort that the best type of curry should be prepared and reach the guests. No one cares whether there is heat or not—even children of fourteen, fifteen, sixteen years also give duties in the kitchen and the bread plant with great cheerfulness. Then for water supply, a group of volunteers is working. And then a group of men and women, being selfless, without caring about anything, is cleaning the bathrooms for the guests. Somewhere those who are picking up scattered garbage around are working. Someone is controlling traffic. Some men and women are doing the work of taking disabled and sick people to and fro in buggies. In the intensity of heat, children and girls give water to guests with great passion. People appreciate this greatly. Some men and women are assigned the duty of feeding food to guests. Then there is a security arrangement. This too is a very extensive arrangement and a very important system. In short, there are also many more departments, as I said before, in which every worker, regardless of whether he knows this work or not, is trying to work with his full capacity and passion. Then there is the work of winding up. After the convention, the rain started. With great difficulty, the material is being collected. Due to rain, some material, bedding etc. also got wet and there was also damage to them. Now mattresses will also have the problem of drying them on a large scale, but in any case the youth are doing this. These youth came before the convention also to complete all arrangements, and now for winding up also, different teams are working. Wind-up work is also very big work because the Council has given fixed days that all this has to be collected in them. If this work is not done in the fixed time, and is not collected, then there can be a problem in permission for next year's convention. In short, every work is very important work. This year, a team of youth from Canada also presented themselves saying they want to work at the convention, so they were placed in the wind-up team, and by Allah's grace they also helped fully. Besides the UK, in other places such an extensive arrangement does not have to be made, so for these people who came from Canada, it was a new experience, but then in quite an enthusiastic manner and with great hard work, they did the work. Along with the UK's teams of youth organizations, we should also be grateful to this group from Canada, the youth also, that they helped us.

In any case, all these people, whether they are men or women, we are all grateful to them and they deserve gratitude. May Allah the Exalted reward them all. From the workers' side, I also express thanks to all those guests who cooperated. Except for a few, generally no complaint came. One or two complaints do come. At this time, in the context of this very subject of gratitude, I describe the impressions of guests who came from other countries. Among them were politicians also. Among them were ministers of some countries also. There were big officials also. When one hears their words, then one drowns further in gratitude to God Almighty. In such a big arrangement, there are also some weaknesses, and this is in any case natural, but how Allah the Exalted covers us that guests see only good things and weaknesses go into the veil.

From Uganda, Mr. Wilson Muruli Sahib, who is Minister of Gender, attended the convention. He says that seeing the hospitality, security and disciplinary arrangements, he was very amazed—how people are making so much sacrifice voluntarily. Then he says that it was not even in my imagination that I am going to attend such a convention where not humans but angels would appear to be working. I neither saw people sleeping at night nor during the day. At all times they are standing ready for service. They neither tire nor get bored. Even if you ask for something twenty times, they present it with a smile. Then he says that here he also saw the exhibition of Review of Religions and various pictures. He also went to Humanity First's stall. He said that at the level on which the Ahmadiyya Community is working, it seems that the Community will prevail over the world in the next few years, God willing. Then he says very prudent efforts are being made for world peace. Advice and suggestions are placed before the world. If people act upon this advice, this world will become a cradle of peace. Then he said that if I describe the Annual Convention in summary, the biggest thing is this: that the Ahmadiyya Community is a great example of peace, love, and brotherhood for humanity.

From French Guiana, a guest Jacques Bertholle attended the convention. He is a judge of the Court of French Guiana and represented the Bishop of the country. He says that when I departed from French Guiana to attend the Annual Convention, I had pain in my leg, but as soon as I attended the convention, Allah the Exalted gave healing in a miraculous manner, and throughout the convention there was no trace of pain. So this is Allah the Exalted's grace that the blessings that reach Ahmadis from the convention—non-Ahmadis also benefit from them. He says that as far as the convention arrangements are concerned, I have been a work inspector for a long time and look at every work with a critical eye, but the manner in which the volunteers of the Ahmadiyya Community were working is praiseworthy. Each one was doing his work in the best manner. Especially to arrange security for such a large gathering is not an easy task. Similarly, to prepare food for such a large number of people and then to feed them on time is not an ordinary task. Then from Nigeria, the chairman of a famous television MITV, Murhi Busari Sahib came here. He has performed Hajj. He says that attending the Annual Convention, I felt as if I am at the place of Arafat and love, affection, and happiness are scattered all around. I have never seen such a scene in the world, and the youth were giving duty in an excellent manner. They were filled with the spirit of obedience. The scene of obedience to the Imam that I have seen in the Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Community and his Community—I have not seen it anywhere.

From Congo Kinshasa, Justice Noel Kilomba Ngozi Mala Sahib came, who is a judge of the Constitutional Court. He said that as a judge, God Almighty has given me so much insight that I can see where truth is being hidden and where truth is being expressed. The practical example of the Islam that I was introduced to by the Ahmadiyya Community—I have seen it by attending the convention. If there was any doubt in my heart, it has now been removed. Actually, the true Islam is this which the Ahmadiyya Community is presenting. The world needs this very message of Islam today. I think the future of the world is linked with this very message. We need this very Islam. We don't need the Islam of terrorists.

The Vice President of Sierra Leone also attended the convention. He says that the Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Community is very magnificent and is the only means of gathering all nations on one platform. I have received much love by attending the convention.

Makeni is a city of Sierra Leone—its mayor attended. He says all three days were full of spirituality and have become the cause of creating a great revolution in my life. I have never seen people loving each other like this.

From Sierra Leone, the Deputy Minister of Sports came. He says that participation in the Annual Convention was a unique experience of my life. Small, big, and old people—all were stepping forward to welcome guests and were outdoing each other in serving guests. I have not seen so much honor and love for guests in any religious or political convention until today.

From Benin, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Eric Houndete Sahib came. He says the biggest thing that came into my observation was that members of the Ahmadiyya Community love their Caliph very much. This thing will not be seen anywhere else. He says I have spent the best moments of my life by attending this convention. I have reviewed all arrangements. In everything I saw only good management. In the convention of more than thirty-five thousand people, there was excellent transport arrangement and traffic was being guided very skillfully. Despite such a large number, the standard of cleanliness was also good. Nowhere did dirt appear. For all these arrangements, more than five thousand people of the Ahmadiyya Community were working voluntarily, and among these volunteers were highly educated people, old people were included, youth were included, men, women, and young children were also included. He says this is an extraordinary thing which will not be seen in any religious or worldly organization.

An Ahmadi came from Argentina. He says I spent ten years searching for true religion and finally by joining the Community I found true religion. I am very impressed by the organization of the Annual Convention. The thing that most impressed me was the presence of the younger generation in the convention. I have never seen in any other religion such involvement of the young generation in any religious function as there is in the Ahmadiyya Community. He says participation in the worldwide pledge were the happiest moments of my life. During the pledge, my heart and body were trembling. The ten conditions of pledge are actually a summary of the teachings of the Holy Quran, the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and Hazrat Masih Maud, peace be upon him. For me there is no greater happiness than this: that I am the first Muslim of Argentina who got the opportunity to accept Ahmadiyyat, and now, God willing, going to my country, I will preach Ahmadiyyat in full manner.

A guest From Japan, Yoshio Iwamura Sahib, also came. He says the traditions of hospitality and the attitude of love and affection of workers is an unforgettable memory for all of us. The Annual Convention UK was presenting a true model of the United Nations where people of every color, race, and nation appeared like one family. This spiritual atmosphere has had a special effect on my heart.

Dr. Giovanni Monte, a friend from Japan also came. He has a PhD in medical science, and at the Tokyo International Book Fair, the Community established contact with him. He says I have been researching different religions and societies for ten years. I had become averse to Christianity. I was in search of the truth. On the first day of the Book Fair, when he was given Hazrat Masih Maud's book "Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam," our missionary who is writing writes that the next day he came to us again and said that at night I started studying Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam and it was difficult for me to sleep without reading this book. When I completed studying this book by morning, I became certain that Islam is a true religion and the path of truth and righteousness. He says during one year I have read Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam fifty times. And he says the philosophy presented by Hazrat Masih Maud, peace be upon him, has extraordinary attraction. So after seeing the convention, he said I was in search of truth and I have found the truth. There is no better way of life than Islam Ahmadiyyat. So he did not take the pledge on the first day—immediately after the convention, the next day he came to me saying he had to take the pledge, and then his pledge took place there in the mosque.

From Japan, a non-Ahmadi friend Masayuki Akutsu Sahib, who is a professor at Tokyo University, attended the convention. He is researching about the Ahmadiyya Community and for this purpose has also traveled to Rabwah. He said that during the tour of Rabwah, on return, our respected host and the car's driver told me that if there was any shortcoming in hospitality, please forgive. This state had a tremendous effect on my heart, and today when I came to the convention here, such high traditions have been seen here also. This means that the teaching and practice of the Ahmadiyya Community is one. These examples are seen everywhere. From Spain, two members of the National Assembly Parliament came. Jose Maria Sahib was there. He says seeing the convention arrangements, I kept thinking that if we had to make such an arrangement, how would we do it? At this time there is no example of this in the world. He continued participating in the convention program all three days and expressed multiple times that our governments cannot do the organized work that volunteers are doing here. I am going, having learnt much from this convention. So these works of volunteers, of workers—these too are their silent preaching that they are doing. Then the lady member of parliament said that the Ahmadiyya Community is working very tirelessly to establish peace in the world. She says I belong to the famous historical city Toledo of Spain where at some time different civilizations including Muslims, Jews, and Christians lived united peacefully. We are proud of that era and it was a golden era of Spain's history. She said that a thousand years ago, Abdul Rahman I from the Umayyad family came to Spain and said they consider this country their home. She says today we want to tell your Caliph that our wish is also this: that when you people come to our country, consider it your home. The Amir Sahib of France says that this year, thirty-five members of one family attended the convention here, of whom twenty-eight had already accepted Ahmadiyyat, but their father and mother and their one daughter and her three children had not yet accepted Ahmadiyyat. The father is of quite advanced age. Before Friday prayer, he said I am very impressed seeing the atmosphere. Then he narrates that attending this convention and seeing the convention atmosphere, it is known why my children became Ahmadis, and since they became Ahmadis, by Allah's grace, their condition has completely changed. Such is the practice on Islamic teaching that however much one thanks God, it is insufficient, and all this happened due to Ahmadiyyat. He says when I was young, I had a dream that there was a strange place where there were many people. Now coming to the convention, that dream is remembered. On the second day of the convention, he told me that today I saw the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, five times. So he and his wife attended the worldwide pledge that took place on Sunday and, taking pledge, have now joined the Community. He says at the time of pledge, his entire family was present there, crying like children.

Then about their daughter who has three children, Amir Sahib also writes—it was mentioned before that she had an old connection with the Community but had not taken pledge—and on Sunday morning after Fajr prayer, he says, the husband and daughter came to me. They said we have to say something to you and immediately started crying. On my asking, they told me that I was not taking pledge because I wanted to take pledge bringing my wife and children together. Now when I attended the convention, my heart very much wanted to take the pledge, but my intense desire was that my wife should also take the pledge with me. So this morning in Fajr prayer I prayed very much. After prayer, my wife said to me that I have to tell you something. Upon this I told her that I also have to tell you something. So my wife said I want to take the pledge. When I told her that I was also going to say this thing, that I want to take the pledge and I was praying that we take pledge together, and today Allah the Exalted heard my prayer, she said I was also praying this very thing. Thus, this family's condition was very emotional.

Impressions of the Greek delegation. A delegation also came from Greece. Dr. Akram Sharif Damadoghlu Sahib says I have never seen any Muslim community as organized as the Ahmadiyya Community is. Everyone meets you with great love and fraternal spirit whether he knows you or doesn't know you.

There was also a Slovenian delegation comprising three people. A friend from there, Zmago Pavlicic Sahib, who works as an interpreter—for some time he has also been working on translation of Community literature. He says that before attending the Annual Convention, my introduction about the Community was limited only to reading, but attending the convention and seeing the convention atmosphere, now it is certain that what I had read about the Community is a reality. For example, the saying "Love for all, hatred for none"—I had read it before or heard it, but coming to the convention and meeting different people, seeing the convention atmosphere, I also saw the practical state of this saying—that every member of the Ahmadiyya Community is one who acts upon this saying.

When you hear people's impressions, each one of us should also keep taking his own review—that the effect that has been established on others, it is the duty of each of us to always try to maintain it. In the Slovenian delegation, a university professor, Andrey Jaburc Sahiba was also included. This lady says I attended an Islamic program for the first time and for the first time I received a positive introduction about Islam. The Community is truly serving humanity. Then she says that in the dining hall, children were serving food and were repeatedly asking us if we needed anything, let us know. Small children were also giving water in the convention venue. I think all these things are very necessary for children's training and upbringing. A police officer from Sweden came. He says the message you are giving—I have also seen its practical observation. If only this message reaches all countries of the world. He is a police officer. He says if this message also reaches Sweden, I will resign from my job because there will be no need for police, and if our society becomes peaceful and loving each other, then the money we give in police salaries—that very money will be used for fulfilling the needs of the poor and old.

So these things, where they make every Ahmadi grateful, those who have small weaknesses—they should also try to remove these weaknesses.

From Switzerland, a guest related to press and media, Branislav Beli Sahib attended. He says I attended on the last day of the Annual Convention. I keep attending different events around the world, but have never seen such an event before. It was a strange scene. When people were asked to stop, they would stop silently, and when they were told to turn, they would turn that way. No one expressed anger about why they are being stopped. I did not see any worker or anyone attending the convention talking angrily. I have seen many countries, but such a peaceful and high system has not been seen anywhere.

A non-Ahmadi Swiss non-Muslim Michael Scharrenberg attended. He is also from Switzerland. He says that above all was the scene of worldwide pledge—how people were expressing their attachment with their belief and Caliph. A new Ahmadi friend is Maita Kilaf Wassru. He came from Micronesia and was mayor there for eleven years. He says after seeing all this, now I am going with firm intention that I will try to remove the wrong impressions about Islam in my family and the people of Kosrae (which is his city). So the convention becomes a very great means of preaching.

A journalist came from Jamaica. There was also a cameraman with her. She says the cameraman was initially hesitant to attend any Muslim gathering, but when he saw that everyone was treating him with love and taking care of him, he started asking: do these people really have love in their hearts for us or are they just pretending? Upon this, our missionary answered that brotherhood and fraternity are among the basic teachings of Islam. Spend the entire convention—you will yourself find out whether people are pretending or not. So when the convention ended, this cameraman said there is no doubt that the love, brotherhood, and love for each other that was being demonstrated at the convention was not mere show but was a reality. Then the journalist who was there also took my interview. She said going there I will write or make a documentary. So from this, further paths of preaching open. She says I promise that I will work hard to spread these teachings of the Ahmadiyya Community in Jamaica. Now she is Christian and is becoming a means of our preaching. From Panama, a friend Ronaldo Cochez Sahib came. He says it is not possible to find an example of such a peaceful atmosphere in today's era. In our country also, Muslims live in large numbers, but people do not hold a good impression about them—rather, they hate them. When I also received an invitation to attend a convention of Muslims, I thought these people too will be like Panama's Muslims, but when I reached here, there was no limit to my amazement. I saw such an atmosphere of love, affection, and peace here that I could not even imagine. He says after today, if any person presents a wrong notion about Islam, I will defend it fully that not all Muslims are alike.

From Kazakhstan is Tanashiva Sahiba. She is a State University professor and also a member of New York Academy. In the year 2000 she was selected as Lady of the World. Describing her impressions, she says in my 75-year life I have seen many places in the world, but love for humanity and helping humanity in the true sense—I have seen only here. It was a very wonderful scene that in everyone's presence, students of different fields received medals on the basis of performance. This matter and this honor will always remain firm in their hearts and will help them in the future also in molding their lives according to this very principle. She says I also, due to this convention, feel spiritual freshness and strength within myself. A female student came from Guatemala. She says attending the convention was an extremely pleasant experience for me. The spiritual atmosphere of this convention has given guidance toward improving my future life.

A delegation of twenty-eight people came from Croatia, and a member of the Croatian National Assembly Parliament, Pandak Drazen Sahib was also included in it. He says it was my first occasion to attend a gathering of any Muslim organization, and he was quite impressed. He also heard the last speech. He says if people act upon these pieces of advice, the world will become a cradle of peace.

A journalist from Sierra Leone's National TV SLBC also attended. He says you did a great favor by inviting me to the convention, and he says during the convention itself I made a firm intention to join the Ahmadiyya Community. So he also took pledge on the day of worldwide pledge.

Paul Sanger Davies, who is a Group Captain in the British Royal Air Force, says I necessarily want to express this: that until now I have seen hundreds of such programs but have never seen such an organized program. Especially, talking about such matters felt very good—that we are nowadays surrounded by many dangers, and what is the solution to getting out of these dangers, and in this reference many good things were heard. Two members of parliament came from Ivory Coast. Kouakou Kouakou Ouattara Sahib was one of them. He says this is among the important moments of my life. I have been Ahmadi for several years, but have seen such a spiritual atmosphere for the first time. I was already Ahmadi, but attending the Annual Convention, my faith has become even stronger.

Hugh Farey Sahib, editor of the British Society of the Turin Shroud newsletter, was there. He is also among the experts of the Turin Shroud. He says on whatever forums I have discussed about the Shroud of Messiah until today, this was the best forum among them. He says these three days were extraordinary for me academically. Not only about the Shroud but also got the opportunity to know much about the Ahmadiyya Community. My knowledge about this was next to nothing. From this, new paths of research have opened for me. And some other personalities researching on the Turin Shroud also attended. Among them is a gentleman named Barrie Schwortz who is considered most authentic worldwide regarding the Turin Shroud. You people have heard his speech. Besides many things, one special thing he says is that my purpose in coming here was to inform you people about the Shroud of Turin. But I have to admit that in these few days, I have learned many times more knowledge from you people than I can give you regarding this.

I had mentioned the press and media. By Allah's grace, this year, through press media, the convention has been introduced on a very wide scale. And for this we should bow before Allah the Exalted—how Allah the Exalted conveyed the message. Convention news and video clips—through seven different programs of television and online video, the news reached a total of 3.3 million people. Through 34 radio programs, the message reached 2.79 million people. Through fourteen different forums of print and online media, the message reached 7.7 million people, and in social media, through eleven hundred ninety-five participants, the convention message reached five million people. Thus, through the above-mentioned forums, convention proceedings, news, message, pictures, and video clips reached a total of 18.79 million people. And besides Africa, countries where the convention received media coverage include Britain, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, USA, Canada, Pakistan, India, France, Jamaica, Bolivia, Greece, and Belize. Among the most important channels is BBC News 24 on which convention news was broadcast three times. This also happened for the first time. Initially, permission was given to broadcast news once on this channel, however, later permission was given to broadcast more news.

International news agency France AFP also broadcast convention news. AFP also issued a video report which was subsequently broadcast on dozens of news websites in the USA, UK, and India. These include Yahoo News, MBC News, MSN News. Then radio coverage—34 radio interviews were broadcast on three national radio stations of BBC, 24 regional radio stations, and two local radio stations. These include BBC Radio 4, which is Britain's most listened-to radio station. On this, a long interview of 20 minutes was broadcast. Besides this, BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio Asian Network are included. On BBC Radio Station Network, an interview of more than one hour duration was published. Through 34 radio stations, the message reached a total of 2.79 million people. Of these, at least the beginning of two interviews was by a BBC journalist Caroline Wyatt. She took an interview from me which she broadcast, upon which now on Muslim organizations' forums here, there has been much uproar that we should get together. This is not representing Muslims—we will represent Muslims by getting together.

Two Asian and Catholic Herald published news and articles. Huffington Post also published two articles. Similarly there are many others. Through social media, Twitter etc., this message kept reaching. This is the central report. Besides this, through the UK's press media, I think the message must have reached up to two or three million.

In African countries, national TVs kept giving live coverage of the Annual Convention, which included Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Congo Kinshasa. They broadcast live from Hadiqatul Mahdi. A friend from Ghana, Nana Osei Akoto Sahib, called and told me that I am Christian by religion but watching the live broadcasts of your convention, an emotional state has come over me. It became difficult for me to hold back tears. There is no doubt that in representing Islam at this time, the Ahmadiyya Community is at the forefront. My prayer is that I should become a missionary of your Community and spread the message of the Ahmadiyya Community. From Tamale, Ghana, a lady, Humada Idatu Sahiba said I have watched the convention of the Ahmadiyya Community through Ghana TV and watching this convention I am very impressed. I am Muslim but watching the broadcasts of the Annual Convention, I want to become an Ahmadi Muslim. A friend from Uganda called and told me that I have watched the convention broadcasts on TV. I want to join your Community. So he came to the mission house and, taking pledge, joined the Ahmadiyya Community.

A caller from Ghana called and said that today it is only the Ahmadiyya Community that is representing Islam truly. I would not listen to anything about Islam because Muslims are committing oppression in the name of Islam. But hearing the Islamic teaching you people are presenting, my mind has changed.

An Ahmadi lady from Ghana wrote that today sitting in my room, I am watching the broadcasts of the Annual Convention on TV and I feel as if I too am attending the convention. My heart is full of happiness and my eyes are moist with tears. In Sierra Leone, by Allah's grace, 36 hours of live broadcasts of the Annual Convention were shown on Sierra Leone's National TV SLBC. Many people from Sierra Leone talked on the free telephone line and expressed good wishes. A gentleman, Gabriel Sahib, says I want to thank all those people through whose efforts we are watching this convention today. We are feeling as if we are sitting in the UK with the Caliph. These are Ahmadis and sitting in their homes are benefiting from the blessings of the convention. In Congo Kinshasa also, convention broadcasts were shown in four big cities. In two of these cities, my last address was broadcast while in two cities, all convention proceedings were broadcast live. When the last address was happening, we had taken two hours from them in Kinshasa. When two hours finished, my address was still continuing and had not finished. Upon this, the television staff was requested to give some more time so that the address can be broadcast completely. They said our programs are already scheduled and time cannot be extended like this, but since your Caliph's speech is continuing and this speech has such an effect on us that we are giving you more time—thus complete address coverage was shown and good feedback also started coming for it.

A person called and said that I am Muslim but until today I have not heard such things from anyone's mouth—I immediately want to join the Ahmadiyya Community. And in Congo's city Bukavu, the convention was broadcast on GKV TV. The head of this TV, Jose Sahib said I cannot help but admit this fact that the concept of Islam that was in my mind has completely changed and hearing the addresses of Khalifatul Masih, I learned that Islam is a very beautiful and heart-captivating religion. He says in most homes, sounds of MTA programs and especially the last address playing were coming. A friend said I watched your convention on TV and was very happy that there exists such an entity in the world which is giving such lovely teachings.

The coverage of the Annual Convention that took place on radios in African countries—in Mali, through the Community's fifteen radio stations, all three days' proceedings of the Annual Convention were broadcast live. Thus, about ten million people there heard the live proceedings of the UK Annual Convention in their languages.

Similarly, in Burkina Faso, on four radio stations, complete proceedings of three days of the Annual Convention were broadcast. This too has very extensive listeners. Similarly, proceedings were broadcast in Sierra Leone. So by Allah's grace, this message of the convention reached millions of people in different continents.

By Allah's grace, the press media team also did very good work, and MTA also worked very much for this. Especially those who have been made in-charge of Africa—they have worked very much in this connection. May Allah the Exalted also reward them.

So by Allah's grace, through this convention, the Community has been very extensively introduced, and as I said, in this are included, many workers of MTA and also of the press section. And in the press section also, the workers are UK's youth who are working and playing their role. May Allah the Exalted increase and highlight their abilities further.

There are also some administrative matters which I want to present for the administration and guests. For instance, one complaint that came before me was that there were insufficient chairs for sitting in the main marquee and the sick and disabled did not get them, and apparently younger people and youth were sitting, and the excuse presented was that since cards have been issued to them, we cannot make them get up either. Firstly, cards should be according to chairs or increase the space, or if there is no space there, for the disabled and sick, a separate marquee for chairs can be attached alongside—attention should be paid to this next year also. And the second thing is also that there is one TV screen less—there should be more than one. Generally, the arrangement of bathrooms and toilets was correct, but sometimes complaints came that there was shortage of water and tissue paper etc.

Non-Pakistanis have also complained about Pakistani guests going to the bazaar that sometimes if something has to be bought and one has to stand in line, Pakistanis were not showing patience and were pushing and shoving. They should show their examples because this is not the purpose of the convention at all. On the first day also I had said to show patience and forbearance and try to give more of others' rights. The transport arrangement has generally, by Allah's grace, been greatly praised. This year some workers have complained about some guests. Whether it was just a few or one or two, but it was one creating a wrong impression. If it remained only with workers, that's fine. Thanks that it did not reach those guests who were watching us. To obey the workers is the duty of every guest who has come, whoever he may be—whether he is close to some official or is some big person, from some family, even if he is my relative. Instead of obeying and making the atmosphere good, some showed wrong attitudes which are not correct. Similarly, those youth who were on duty became too emotional about this—that if they don't listen to us, we won't give duty—this too is wrong thinking. Such situations have to be faced. There are different temperaments. Therefore, workers should also show patience and courage, and if they see something wrong, they should complain to their senior officer—then they will handle it themselves. In any case, generally the Annual Convention became one bringing many graces. May Allah the Exalted make every person, every person who attended or watched and heard it through TV, one who brings change within himself, and the true message of Islam that has been conveyed to the world through media—may Allah the Exalted grant people sense and understanding that they can also understand it better and accept this true message.

After the prayer I will lead a funeral prayer in absentia which is of Sayyida Farida Begum Sahiba, wife of respected Mirza Rafiq Ahmad Sahib. She was the daughter of respected Syed Jalil Shah Sahib and was the daughter-in-law of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II, may Allah be pleased with him. She was the granddaughter of Hazrat Mir Hamid Shah Sahib and great-granddaughter of Mir Husam-ud-Din Sahib. Three days ago she passed away. May Allah the Exalted grant forgiveness. اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّاۤ اِلَیۡہِ رٰجِعُوۡنَ  'Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.'

She was the granddaughter of Hazrat Syed Habibullah Shah Sahib and great-granddaughter of Hazrat Dr. Abdul Sattar Shah Sahib. That is, she was the daughter of Hazrat Umm Tahir's niece. She was the great-granddaughter of Mir Husam-ud-Din Shah Sahib. Mir Husam-ud-Din Shah Sahib is the one who had special connection with Hazrat Masih Maud, peace be upon him, and when initially Hazrat Masih Maud's father sent him to Sialkot, he stayed in their house. Hazrat Musleh Maud also mentioned that he had a special connection with Hazrat Masih Maud, peace be upon him. (Taken from Khutbat Mahmood, Volume 3, pages 326-327)

Similarly, Syed Habibullah Shah Sahib was the maternal uncle of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV. This Farida Begum Sahiba was his daughter's daughter. When Farida Begum's mother Razia Begum Sahiba's marriage took place, Hazrat Musleh Maud wrote that due to the special connection of this family, despite illness I have come out to perform the marriage. And similarly, the guardian from the girl's side was also Hazrat Musleh Maud, may Allah be pleased with him, himself. (Taken from Khutbat Mahmood, Volume 3, pages 326 and 328)

May Allah the Exalted elevate the deceased's ranks. Her daughter-in-law wrote that especially from a religious perspective also, in the last age she studied very much. She read all the books of Hazrat Masih Maud, peace be upon him—rather, read them three times. She read Malfuzat. She completed Tafseer Kabeer. She would regularly listen to sermons. May Allah the Exalted treat the deceased with forgiveness and mercy and be the Protector and Helper of her children also. One of her grandsons is studying at Jamia Ahmadiyya Rabwah and one of her grandsons is studying at Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada. May Allah the Exalted make these children also servants of the Community in the right manner.