After reciting the Tashahhud, Ta’awwuz, and Surah Al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) stated:
By the grace of Allah the Almighty, last Sunday, the three-day annual convention came to its conclusion. By the grace of God Almighty we become recipients of countless blessings of Allah the Almighty which are attached to such gatherings. I would first like to thank all the men and women workers regardless of whichever department and capacity they served in; from assistants to office heads, all men, women, children, young and old were fulfilling their duties and obligations selflessly. They were presenting the picture of the true image of Islam to the guests through their practical examples. The assistants deserve special thanks. The assistants came forward in large numbers to serve the guests of the Promised Messiah (as) and they are the backbone of all Jalsa management. May Allah the Exalted reward all of them.
In addition to the Jalsa workers there are the workers permanently employed by the central offices. There are the workers of MTA, which also includes volunteers from UK as well as other countries. The exhibition organised by the Review of Religions magazine also has a very positive impact. Then there are the exhibitions by the Archives Department and by the Image Library (Makhzan-e-Tasaweer). All these departments are active during the days of Jalsa. All the workers who worked before Jalsa as well as those who worked after it play an important role. Hence, all of them deserve our gratitude.
Then Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) gave faith-inspiring accounts of the expressions of the guests who attended Jalsa from all over the world. Jalsa guests widely praised the organisation of the Jalsa and the discipline showed by the Jalsa visitors. They were impressed by the commitments and dedication of Ahmadis to the Khilafat. One of the guests commented that we have received the true message of Islam – and this is the very message that the Islamic world and Muslims are need of, so that the reservations people have about Islam are removed.
One Jalsa guest was impressed by the commitments of the Jalsa volunteers. He said that the volunteer workers at Jalsa were cleaning toilets, washing plates and little children were distributing water. All of this could not have been possible without a sense of sacrifice. This passion to serve others is extraordinary. Another guest commented that during Jalsa people from all over the world, young, old, men and women were prepared to render any service for the sake of Islam.
The chief Rabbi of Greece commented that during Jalsa he experienced a sense of acceptance and respect here for other religions and beliefs. He says: “I was truly happy at the fact that I was able to wear my specific hat on my head, the Kippah, in the midst of thousands of Muslim brothers without any threatening signals, angered looks and, God forbid, violent reaction. This was completely in contrast to what I have experienced in other places.”
Many other guests including religious leaders, members of Parliaments, government minister, lawyers, medical doctors and senior academics commented that seeing the atmosphere at the Jalsa, one’s heart experiences true peace, from the food to the speeches, the entire programme was very well organised. Jalsa guests also highly admired the address of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) as faith-inspiring and in accordance with the need of the time. These addresses clearly explain how Islam safeguards rights of every member of the society. These guests were inspired by the ceremony of the International Bai’at and affirmed their commitment to co-operate to establish peace in the world.
Jalsa guests appreciated that they were accepted as they were, lady guests report that they did not feel pressured to wear a scarf and reported that they were greeted with a smile all the time. Jalsa guests reported that they felt that the Ahmadiyya Community is free from all forms of racism and prejudice.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) said that this is an excellence that should not simply be exhibited temporarily for these three days but should be adopted permanently. This in fact was the final message which the Holy Prophet (sa) imparted to us, i.e. that no white has any superiority over a black, nor a black over a white, no Arab has superiority over a non-Arab nor does a non-Arab over an Arab. As a human being, all are absolutely equal.
Jalsa guests said that they will spread the message of the Jalsa in their home communities of Africa, Japan, South America and Russia. Jalsa guests appreciated the persecution of Ahmadis and felt deeply grieved upon hearing the horrific events surrounding the Martyrs of Ahmadiyyat. Jalsa guests also commented that during Jalsa speeches, a great emphasis was put upon the education and training of children and also upon maintaining good ties with kith and kin, and especially the rights of women and children in light of Islamic teachings. One guest commented that he observed that as soon as the Khalifa arrives anywhere at all, the crowd of thousands of people immediately fall silent. Nobody needs to tell anyone to be silent. This demonstrates that in the hearts of every single person, there is genuine respect and awe for the Khalifa.
One guest commented that he was impressed that Ahmadis practiced what they preached. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) said that is a big challenge for us in that our actions and words should always be one. Another guest commented that the truth of the matter is that seeing the members of this community leaves me astonished. Every Ahmadi that attends the Jalsa always greets one another with good etiquettes, they are ever ready to help. Whilst referring to the motto, Love for All, Hatred for None, a Spanish lawyer said: “In my opinion, this motto portrays this exceptional gathering in full. I have seen people of different backgrounds meeting one another. This is a religion that ought to strive to establish peace in the world and combat against injustices.”
Nizam-ud-Din Sahib, a retired Justice from Bangladesh attended the Jalsa, he writes: “I am not an Ahmadi, but Ahmadis are Muslims and have suffered persecution in many countries for a long time. Being a humanitarian activist, I always empathise and support the Ahmadiyya Community and have travelled to many countries. I listened attentively to all the speeches and many of the misconceptions I had were removed. Ahmadis ought to speak up as much as possible so that all the misconceptions can be eradicated.”
Hugh Farey, a Catholic Christian, who is a scientist and is the former editor of the British Society of Turin Shroud says: “I have been coming to the Jalsa regularly for the past five years. I am an expert in the Shroud of Turin, and this is a cloth that is of particular interest to the Ahmadiyya Community because Ahmadis believe it to be a proof that Jesus did not die on the cross. Despite the fact that the majority of the experts believe that the image is that of a man that had passed away, this fact does not deter them to invite experts in this field. My own analysis that this cloth was from the middle ages does not contradict the belief of the Ahmadis that Jesus survived and then travelled to Kashmir.” (He is explaining his viewpoint and says that he also believes the same way as Ahmadis do.) “The Review of Religions exhibition is a testimony to the open mindedness, peaceful and balanced nature of Ahmadis.” Peter Williams, who is a Professor at Cambridge University and is an official member of the Shroud of Turin Committee, states: “This is my first Jalsa and I am regretful that I had not attended before this. I would like to attend these conventions in future, and I am certain that I will attend in future. Nonetheless, I was greatly inspired by the meeting.”
The chief of a delegation from the Native Canadians says: “I was amazed to learn that Islam grants women equal rights.” I will mention about a journalist from Argentina. He states, “As a journalist, I have the opportunity to attend many events, however what is most remarkable about your Jalsa is that every member seems to be also part of the organising team taking care of the hospitality. They are both attendees as well as playing the role of organisers. In other events, a clear distinction is visible between the attendees and the organisers.” This indeed is a beautiful aspect which should be visible in every Jalsa of ours.
Similarly, there were many impressions from those who attended from Mexico. I shall share one of them. Maria Sahiba states, “It has only been two months since I accepted Islam. I had many questions about Islam but after having attended the Jalsa, my knowledge of Islam has further increased, and all my questions and doubts have been removed. After having attended the Jalsa, I am proud of the fact that I am a Muslim and I have vowed that from today, I will proudly wear my Hijab and will always keep it on.”
A recent convert from Paraguay states, “It was a wonderful experience and I also listened to your addresses which were such that one should truly adhere to.” In reference to my addresses, she states, “I was able to acquire the answers to all my questions. It seems as if you prepared your addresses in view of my questions.” This indeed is the work of God Almighty in that He helps in the preparation of the addresses which then have such an impact on people.
I will leave out the rest of the impressions for now and will present the report from our Central Press and Media Office. Up till now, 183 media reports have been published. The media coverage is ongoing and through this coverage, the message has reached more than 173 million people. The media outlets which gave coverage (on the Jalsa) include, BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service, BBC Asian Network, Telegraph, a Dutch national newspaper, Sky News, ITV, Express, Huffington Post, Press Association which is a news agency, EFE which is a Spanish news agency and Yahoo News. The media reports were covered by many countries, which included: UK, Brazil, Holland, Spain, Argentina, Panama, Columbia, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Cameroon, Nigeria, Belgium, Ghana, Italy, etc. Alhamdolillah through MTA Africa, 18 channels gave coverage of the Jalsa. By the grace of God Almighty, aside from the members of the Community, there are many impressions from non-Ahmadis who were greatly impressed by the Jalsa proceedings.
May God Almighty enable the Jalsa to become a means of increasing the faith of all those Ahmadis who were a part of it. May they adhere and inculcate everything they heard and observed during the Jalsa. Also, through the coverage of the press and media in which reports were sent around the world, may God Almighty enable it to have an impact on the hearts of the people and may it become a means for them to accept Ahmadiyyat, the true Islam.
After the Friday Prayers, I shall lead a funeral prayer in absentia of respected Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Sahib Advocate. He passed away on 30th July 2019 at the Tahir Heart Institute Rabwah at the age of 85, ‘Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.’ Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Sahib by the grace of God Almighty was a Musi (part of the blessed institution of Al-Wasiyyat). His father, Maulana Zil-ur-Rehman Sahib was a missionary and sent his wife and children, including Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Sahib, to Qadian for their upbringing from Bengal. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Sahib’s father was among the very first students of Hazrat Hafiz Roshan Ali Sahib. Scholars the like of Maulana Jalal-ul-Din Sahib Shams and Ghulam Ahmad Sahib Badhomlai, etc. were his contemporaries. His father served for approximately 36 years in Bengal.
Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Sahib was a lawyer by profession and by the grace of God Almighty was a very successful lawyer and had rendered many services for the Jama’at. In 1980, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) appointed him as the Amir of Rawalpindi and he served in the capacity of Amir till 1998. He also greatly served in the legal case regarding the Mari Road Rawalpindi mosque in 1974. In 1978, he fought the case for the Dera Ghazi Khan Mosque in the Supreme Court. He successfully fought for many of the Jama’at’s legal cases and did great justice. In 1978, he became one of the members of the Standing Committee of Majlis-e-Shura. He also had the opportunity to help serve in preparing the rules and regulations of the Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya. As a member of the Fiqah Committee, he also had the opportunity to help in the preparation of Fiqah Ahmadiyya Part 1. He also had the opportunity to deliver a speech in 1977 and 1978 Jalsa Salana on the topic of Islam and Religious Freedom. From 1979 to 1983, he delivered speeches at Jalsa Salana on the following topics: The Outset of the Dissention in Islam, An Ahmadi in the Eyes of the Promised Messiah (as), Citadel of Peace and The Fruits of Ahmadiyyat. He also had the opportunity to appear on numerous MTA programmes in which he would respond to allegations. By the grace of God Almighty he had great religious and secular knowledge. He also possessed great oratory skills and God Almighty had gifted him a particular talent in this regard. He used this ability to great advantage and God Almighty enabled him to greatly serve the Jama’at. Some of the MTA programmes in which he appeared in include discussions on the verdict of 1974 by the National Assembly of Pakistan, interviews of world-renowned historians, the various beauties of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, etc.
In 1984, he had the opportunity to fight the case against the ordinance of “Banning Qadianiyyat” and indeed did justice in fighting for that case. He also had the opportunity to fight cases against the Jama’at in the military courts as well and also helped serve the Aseeran-e-Rah-e-Maula (those imprisoned because of declaring to be Ahmadi). In 1993, he also had the opportunity to serve as one of the committee members who were fighting the case for the basic human rights in the Supreme Court. He also had the opportunity in 1976 to read out his research papers in the Jurist Council formed in Karachi. He also had the opportunity to attend various seminars and meet intellectuals and experts in the field of law from UK, Germany, Switzerland, USA, Japan, etc. to deliberate on the subject of human rights. He also had the opportunity to address the law students of Minnesota State University in USA. He also had the opportunity to record his statements as an expert witness for 18 hours in a court in Germany. In 2014, a series of lectures were organised by the USA Jama’at in various universities in which he was invited to speak on Religion and Freedom of Conscience. In 2017, a Quran Conference was held in Rice University in which the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was also invited. I appointed him to attend as a representative at the conference and he had the opportunity to present the beauties of the Holy Qur’an before everyone in light of the writings of the Promised Messiah (as) and indeed did great justice in representing the Community. He also had the opportunity to explain the legal issues before Switzerland and Canada’s Immigration Board. He has countless services. By the grace of God Almighty every Jama’at responsibility that he was entrusted with, he fulfilled it with a passion of Waqf (life devotion) and indeed did true justice to it.
He was married to his paternal cousin and his wife passed away in 1999. He leaves behind 3 sons: Aziz-ur-Rehman Waqas Sahib, who is an Advocate in Rawalpindi and he also helps serve in the Jama’at’s legal cases, Dr Ata-ur-Rehman Maaz, who is currently in Qatar and Khalil-ur-Rehman Hammad Sahib, who is also in Pakistan. May God Almighty grant the deceased His forgiveness and mercy and grant him a station amongst his loved ones. I shall lead his funeral prayer in absentia.