Responding to Allegations
The world examined
Hadith in Commentary
From the Markaz
The Messiah of Islam
An eventful 2020, anti-dengue mosquitoes and Neanderthals
Islam’s view on charms, superstition and bad omen
Young Waqf-e-Nau seek guidance from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih
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THE WEEKLY
www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 24 January 2020 | Issue XCVII Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | F: +44(0)208 544 7673
BBC’s touch test: “Who gets to call the boundary?”
A major new study by BBC Radio 4 investigating the role of touch “in its many forms” was launched by Claudia Hammond on Tuesday, 21 January. The research project aims to explore touch across various forms, for example how touch is vital for medical students. The tabooed “consent of touch” was also addressed during the radio discussion by Professor of Medical Ethics at St Georges University Deborah Bowman, Laura Bates from the Everyday Sexism Project and Professor of Psychology at
Goldsmiths University of London Michael Banissy. The #metoo campaign was discoursed upon as being a possible reason that universities are now discussing consent without its professional context. Laura Bates championed the “courageous speaking out by survivors” of sexual harassment but noted how it is easy for people to suggest that “the problem has gone away”, just because there is a Continued on page 2
Waqf-e-Nau delegation from Australia spends time in Huzoor’s company On 20 January, a group of 21 Waqifeen-eNau from all over Australia had a mulaqat with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, where they all had the opportunity to ask Huzooraa various types of questions and sought advice for their future professions. The mulaqat commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Following this, a young man from Brisbane, whose parents are originally from Ghana, asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa about his experience in Ghana and his fondest moments. Answering the young boy, Huzooraa said, “The entire time I spent there was my favourite experience. Everyday, I would see new things. When I was there, Ghana was economically totally crippled. To buy loaf of bread in the village, a van would come and you would have to line up outside [to purchase bread].” Due to the large amount of people waiting for bread and not knowing if you would get it or not, Huzooraa said, “Those who wouldn’t get the bread would then simply leave.” Alluding to the patience shown by the Ghanaians at such times, Huzooraa said, “I like the level of patience of Ghanaians.” A young boy, whilst conveying his desire of fulfilling his waqf, asked Huzooraa what
other fields one could enter apart from Jamia, whereby they can still fulfil their waqf. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that one can fulfil their waqf in other fields too. Huzooraa asked if he was interested in science and being a doctor, to which the boy replied in the affirmative. Huzooraa further said that once you have become a doctor, then you can see which field you wish to specialise in. A young gentleman asked what Huzoor’saa most precious and memorable moment was with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh. Answering this, Huzoor said, “In 1993, when I came to the UK, I went with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh for a walk, up north in Yorkshire. We walked in the rain and walked up a steep hill. I recall that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh and I found no difficulty in it, but many others who were present did.” Alluding to Huzoor’s imprisonment in 1999, one person asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa how he felt during that time. Answering the question, Huzooraa stated, “The sanction raised against me was of such nature that they would have either hanged me or I would have received life in prison. Thus, I was mentally prepared to stay there and serve the rest of my life in prison. Continued on page 3