He it is Who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the Religion of truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religions ( 61:10)
Volume 1 Number 3
Caravan e Islam
February 2009
A monthly publication of the Department of Tahrik e Jadid, USA WHAT IS NEW IN THE WORLD OF AHMADIYYAT New Mosque in Scarborough, Canada Jama’at Canada was able to purchase a building for $ 1.3 M in the vicinity of the University of Toronto, Scarborough. This one-acre facility is located in the center of the city. On October 20, 2008, the building was transferred in Jama’at name and was inaugurated on Nov. 29, 2008. The first floor can accommodate 350 worshippers and also houses a library; the second floor houses Missionary quarters. The basement constitutes the storage facility. Sports activities
IN THIS ISSUE:
and general meetings can be conducted in the second hall. 80 cars can park outside this building. Food for 1000 people can be prepared in the large kitchen of the building. 48 NonMuslims attended the inaugural ceremony and a few celebrities cordially shared their views about the Jama’at and welcomed the Mosque in this neighborhood. Malik Lal Khan Sahib, Amir Jama’at Canada performed the inaugural ceremony veiled the name plaque. He explained the significance of the Mosque. Maulana Nasim Mahdi Sahib addressed the gathering and removed the oftrampant misunderstanding about Islam with respect to its teachings of Jihad. 150 people attended this ceremony.
• What is New in the World of Ahmadiyyat: Baitul Aafiyyat in Scarborough, Canada and Bait-e-Masroor in Kenya • Loganda Translation of the Holy Qur’an Revised • Inspirational Anecodates as Narrated by the Khulafa
caravaneislam@gmail.com
Bait ul Aafiyyat, Scarborough, Canada was inaugurated on Nov. 29, 2008 by Malik Lal Khan, Amir Jam’at Canada
Malik Lal Khan Sahib offering silent prayers with the regional Amir and Jam’at members after unveiling the name plaque at Baitul Aafiyyat
Jim Karygiannis, M.P., is presenting a plaque to Amir Sahib Canada
• Waqf-e-Zindagi - One of the 19 Demands of Tahrik-e-Jadid • Future of Ahmadiyyat Seen Through Visions • Tahrik-e-Jadid 2008: Global Accomplishments • From the Treasure Chest
Maulana Nasim Mahdi is describing the beauties of Islam
What is ‘NEW’ in the World of Ahmadiyyat (continued) Inauguration of Bait e Masroor in Dandora, Kenya
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ajna Imaillah Kenya has been blessed with offering a mosque during the Khilafat Centenary year to Huzoor Aqdas. Huzoor graciously named it Bait e Masroor. The mosque was constructed with 700,000 Kenyan Schillings. The city of Dandora is a suburb of Nairobi. The ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran followed by opening remarks from the Jama’at President. The Vice President of the Ford Kenya Party and the Lady Counselor of the region addressed the attendees and expressed warm and welcoming sentiments for the mosque in the neighborhood. Respected Naeem Ahmad Cheema, the Amir of Kenya, then gave a concluding address and explained the purpose of mosques in Islam. He then unveiled the name plaque and led silent prayers. About 400 people attended the ceremony which was covered by two national newspapers. May this Maulana Naeem Cheema Sahib is cutting the ribbon of the newly mosque become a beacon of peace for the constructed Bait e Masroor in Dandora, Kenya. This mosque has been built by Lajna Kenya region. FROM UGANDA: THIRD AND REVISED EDITION OF LUGANDA TRANSLATION OF THE HOLY QURAN IS UNVEILED
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third revised edition of the Luganda (unofficial language of the country of Uganda) translation of the Holy Qur’an was unveiled on October 11, 2008 during a ceremony at the Fairway Hotel in Kampala, as part of the Khilafat Centenary celebration. Shaikh Yousuf Ali Kairay explained the unique features of this revised translation. Al-Haj Zakarya Kazito started the translation work in the 1960s and it was published in 1974. The second edition was published in 1984. In 1997, revision work on this second edition began. With the relentless efforts of Muhammad Ali, Yusuf Ali Kairay, and Muhammad Ismail Malaga, the third edition saw its printing completed in 2008. It includes simple translation for the commoners along with an index printed beautifully on high quality paper with superior binding. The Honorable Nukia Nakadama congratulated Huzoor Aqdas and Amir Jama’at Uganda for this superb service. A half-hour of coverage by the TV and press preserved this historic event. (As reported in Al-Fazl, Rabwah, Jan 19, 2009)
Technology at the Service of Ahmadiyyat: Deg Washing Machine
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uzoor said he had mentioned last year about a ‘deg’ (huge cooking pot/cauldron) cleaning machine invented by an Ahmadi in Germany. This year they have improved and made the machine automatic. A dirty ‘deg’ is placed on a conveyor belt that takes it to a fully computerized washing section with a scraping facility. After two minutes a clean ‘deg’ emerges. Huzur said this machine is the invention of three brothers: Ata ul Manan Haq, Wadood Haq and a third younger brother. None of them have engineering qualifications but their sense of dedication is true. They are now working on an adaptation of this machine for Qadian as the shape of degs in Qadian is slightly different. They are determined to have the Qadian version ready on time. FS 8-29-08
Huzoor is advising Mr. Ataul Mannan to manufacture a large scale machine for Qadian
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he machine is about 2.5m in length, 1.3m wide and about 2.5 m in height. It is installed on a mobile device to facilitate portability. The functionality of the machine is as following: Degs are laid on a belt system which carries the deg into the machine. There the deg is fixed into a roptator. All functions of the machine are controlled by a built-in computer system so the machine is automatic. The computer system is a SPS-system equipped with sensors and actuators. The sensors transmit to the SPS while a task is ended so that the next task can begin. The machine has also a built-in security system. While the deg is rotating during the washing process a brush head system moves forward into the deg and washes the inside of the deg. There are also some brushes to clean the deg’s exterior. Within the brush head system there are some scrapers integrated to scrape food which is burned on the bottom of the deg. The water supply as well as the washing liquid is also computerized. The water is heated up to near-boiling and is sprayed into the deg during washing, so as to disinfect the deg.
Auomatic Deg (cauldron) Cleaning Machine invented by three Ahmadi brothers in Germany
INSPIRATIONAL ANECDOTES: As Narrated by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih Vaba Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih Vaba , addressing the 2003 U.K. Jalsa, related this incredible incidence about an Ahmadi carpenter in the Ivory Coast. He said: It is also a strange incidence with regards to offering sacrifices for the sake of Allah as to how He protects and compensates the donors. There is an Ahmadi carpenter in the Ivory Coast who made his Tehrik-eJadid pledge beyond his capacity and, in spite of dire circumstances, fulfilled his pledge before the due date. The day he paid his pledge a fire broke out in the shopping center where his shop was located. Very quickly the fire engulfed the entire area and all the shops, which had wooden walls, were in flames. Through Allah’s Grace, his shop was spared destruction despite being in the middle of the row of shops. He expressed his gratitude by saying that it is due to the blessings of chanda that Allah safeguarded his shop and kept it out of harms way. Here this revelation also saw its fulfillment: “Fire is our servant, rather servant of our servants.” (Al-Fazal International, September 19-26, 2003)
A Young Girl From Sind, Pakistan Sets An Example Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih Vaba stated in his Nov. 7, 2008 Khutba on Tehrik-e-Jadid: “There are a few who think that if we are able to fulfill our personal needs by borrowing then why Chanda Tehrik e Jadid and others could not be paid” Alfazl Dec. 16, 2008 Keeping this as a backdrop, look at the great example of this young girl in Badeen, Pakistan. Muzaffar Ahmad, Secretary Tehrik e Jadid District Golarchi, reports: A young girl did not have funds to contribute for Tehrik-e-Jadid but when I made a request, she borrowed Rs.180 from her brother and gave it to me. When I went back to her house she related that today was Tehrik-e-Jadid Day so I borrowed funds from my brother in the amount of Rs.180. Later on when I was cleaning up my cupboards, I found Rs 500 that were lost for many months and Allah recovered these for me. Alhumdolillah !” What a promising response to the call of the Imam and what an example of excelling in good deeds. May we all take heed from this young girl. (Extracted from Al Fazl, Jan. 17, ‘09)
Dedication of Time and Life: The Primary Demand of Tahrik-e-Jadid Contributed By Maulana Azhar Haneef, Regional Missionary The sun of Islam will rise in full bloom, same as it did before. But this will not be at once. It is imperative that this should not happen until we have proved our worth by devoted hard work, by offering our life-blood, by sacrificing our rest and peace, by accepting all indignities for the dignity of Islam. The new Life of Islam demands a great Sacrifice from us. What is this Sacrifice? It is our lives: on this Sacrifice depends now the Life of Islam, the Life of Muslims, and the Manifestation of God in our time. Sacrifice is of the essence of Islam. And this is the Islam that God wants to restore.” [The Victory of Islam, p. 16, Hadhrat Ahmadas, the Promised Messiah]
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uring the past century of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya, the first great wave of the propagation and expansion of Ahmadiyyat into foreign lands outside of India took place. That wave consisted of sincere, humble devotees who reached the four corners of the earth patiently braving hardships and determinedly overcoming hurdles. The accomplishments of some of these devotees are well-documented, such as those of Dr. Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra, the pioneer missionary to the USA, whereas the names and achievements of thousands of others remain unknown to us. The same is true regarding the Companions and devotees who spread Islam throughout the world during the first centuries of the Islamic era. For the most part, these devotees of both eras labored in obscurity as they offered their sacrifices and performed their services humbly behind the scenes, solely for the sake of God, not for any worldly recognition or material reward from mankind. Indeed, the lives of these dedicated servants of Ahmadiyyat are a source of inspiration to us all. To deliver the message of truth, they subsisted on meager means and provisions, penetrated jungles and forests, traversed long distances on foot over rugged terrain and travelled to remote regions by cycle, auto, ship, and plane, and they scaled heights and crossed rivers, oceans and seas to meet inhabitants of tiny islands and villages and vast continents and countries. By Allah’s grace, that wave of propagation deposited the blessings of Ahmadiyyat in 194 nations before the first century concluded. In order to benefit from the soul-inspiring and uplifting examples of these devotees and to keep the spirit of their sacrifices alive in this new generation, some of their accounts will be shared in future writings. Undoubtedly, Hadhrat Ahmadah, the Promised Messiah, set the tone and tenor for this first wave of propagation and this keen spirit of sacrifice in his words quoted above from his book, The Victory of Islam, written in 1890, a year after establishing the Ahmadiyya Jama’at. Yet, it was later, under Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya that his words took on a renewed sense of priority and urgency as Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IIra launched the divinely inspired scheme named Tahrik-e-Jadid. The scheme was his response to opponents who had threatened to annihilate the Jama’at in India and wipe the name of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadah from the hearts and minds of the members and from the face of the earth. Huzoorah firmly believed that the key to securing the Jama’at from future attacks, to advancing the mission of Hadhrat Ahmadas, and to spreading the true peaceful message of Islam was for members to dedicate their time and lives in order to propagate Ahmadiyyat far and wide. This key corresponds to the Quranic exhortation: “And strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your persons. That is better for you, if you did but know.” (61: 12) In terms of our organization, Tahrik-e-Jadid became an immense spiritual force that propelled this first great wave of propagation under Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya to the furthest shores of our planet. And the aims and objectives of Tahrik-e-Jadid became the mo-
tivating factor that fueled the zeal and passion of a new generation of devotees to abandon their homelands, to leave their family and friends, to give up their jobs and personal ambitions, and to forsake the comforts and securities of their normal lives for the difficulties and austerities of this Divine mission. Everyone in a foreign Jama’at owes these devotees their gratitude and prayers since the Ahmadiyya community would not have proliferated and progressed to the extent it has without them. They were the fortunate ones to respond when Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IIra explained in detail one extremely important demand of the scheme during his Friday Sermon on November 30, 1934, saying: “Now I will put for¬ward the seventh demand of this scheme. Looking at the propagation needs of this time, despite all the demands I have made so far, our needs are not met. Our example is like that of the martyrs of Uhud. If their heads were covered for burial, their feet remained bare because at that time, not enough cloth was available to shroud them. Our situation is similar to them. If we focus on one area, an¬other remains unattended. If we attend to the second one, the first one stays unfulfilled. In this situation, it is essen¬tial that there be an alternate way of continuing Tabligh; we require a reserve force that we can use when needed, and thereby, we may fill our needs when missionaries are not available…I understand that for a Jama’at that is ever ready to sacrifice their lives and wealth, this should not be a big thing…Thus, by acting on this scheme, such wonderful results could be achieved that are not possible even through our regular missionaries.” The first century of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya has ended and the “wonderful results” of this first core of respondents are before our eyes. Yet anyone with only a cursory knowledge of world affairs, the state of Muslim nations and Islam and the condition of our Jama’at understands that the need for devoted workers – a reserve force – remains as acute today as when Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IIra inaugurated the scheme of Tahrik-e-Jadid decades ago. This age and this blessed scheme still beckon to us to make a great Sacrifice – the Sacrifice of our Time and Lives. During the past century, the sun of Ahmadiyyat rose mainly in the East; there in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, etc, one finds the largest populations of Ahmadi Muslims. Now is the time for “the sun of Islam to rise in full bloom” particularly in the West. The construction of prominent new mosques in Canada, France, Germany, England and in countries of West Africa at the outset of this second century of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya heralds the dawn of Islam’s rise and ascendancy in the West. To accelerate the rise, a new core of devotees must come forward to spearhead the next great wave of propagation and expansion, as well as the consolidation of newly formed jama’ats and the education of the new adherents. Thus, the West awaits those who will respond today to the Seventh Demand of Tahrike-Jadid and be part of the next great wave, and join the ranks of the devotees who have gone before us, and write a new chapter of history to inspire those who will come after us. May Allah enable us to do so. Ameen
Future of Ahmadiyyat As Observed Through Kushoof (Waking Visions)
Revelations of Hadhrat Ahmadah About the Victories in the Arab World Hadhrat Ahmadah was revealed by the Almighty Allah many glad tidings about the victories in Mecca and other Arab countriers. A few of these revelations are included below: “I see that the people of Mecca join the party of Allah, the Almighty, in troops. This has been decreed by the Lord of the Heaven, and it is strange in the eyes of the people.” ( Noorul Haq, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 8, p 197) “The Saints of Syria and the servants of Allah from amongst the Arabs supplicate for you. I do not know the import of this, nor do I know when or how it might come to pass (God knows best).” (Maktoobate Ahmadiyya, Vol1, p 86)
Visions of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IIra in 1945 about Arab countries: I saw in a vision that I am traveling by car in some Arabian city. There is another car beside mine in which Mirza Sharif Ahmad is seated. The area is mountainous, like Pehalgum Kashmir or Palampur. The two cars are separated at some distance and my car is headed to a resort bungalow. As I step down from the car, I behold a host of Arabs, some with fair complexion and some with dark complexion. They proceed towards me with ‘Assalamo Aalaikum’. I stop and inquire as to wher they have come from. They respond that they went to Qadian to meet with me where they were informed that I have proceeded to Arabia. They finally have arrived at the same place where I have come. I then ask them the purpose of their meeting. One of their leaders relates that they would like to consult with me on political and educational issues, as well as another specific issue. I invite them to proceed to the bungalow where we could all sit and talk. When I enter the bungalow I notice that food is arranged on the table with fruits etc. I suspect that there must be some Englishman for whom this arrangement has been made. In another room, I notice that some fruits and sweets are arranged on the floor as is the custom in Arab countries. I understand that these arrangements have been made for us. I request them to take their seats and they finally sit on the floor. As they extend their hands to pick up some fruits, I wake up. From this vision I understand that the doors of progress of Ahmadiyyat are going to be opened soon for the Jama’at in Arab countries. (Al Fazl, December 17, 1945 pp 7-8)
Global Accomplishments of Tahrik e Jadid as of August 2008 Surely every hour that follows is better for thee than the one that precedes. (Qur’an, 93:15)
Jama’at has established 15,055 mosques as of May 26, 2008 Jama’at has translated the Holy Qur’an into 65 languages
1,300 missionaries are propagating Islam 8 Jamia Ahmadiyya schools are in operation worldwide Jama’at has established 564 schools in Africa Jama’at has established 36 hospitals in 8 countries 625 homeopathic clinics are in operation worldwide Jama’at is operating 8 printing presses in Africa Jama’at has installed 100 solar energy stations in Africa
5 computer training centers are in operation in Africa We are constantly ascending to lofty heights But they invite us to sink below the ground ..............Hadhrat Ahmad
Caravan e Islam This monthly newletter is intended to educate all Ahmedis living in the USA about the great blesssings of the noble scheme of Tehrik e Jadid. Nigran e A’la: Dr.Ahsanullah Zafar, Amir, USA Editorial Staff: Anwer Khan, National Secretary Tahrik-e-Jadid Qaid Tahrik e Jadid Majlis Ansarullah Mohtamim Tahrik e Jadid MKA Aziza Rehman, Secretary Tahrik e Jadid Lajna USA
“The world is an island and a new island is being carved within in. The name of this new island is Ahmadiyyat, the true Islam.” - HADHRAT MIRZA TAHIR AHMADRA Design and Layout: Ahsan M. khan, Arshad M. Khan, Mustafa Ahad Editing: Saddia Khan and Anees Mirza Photos and news: 12 Foreign representatives. Links: Caravan e Islam Blog Website: www.alislam.org E-mails : tehrikejadid@usa.com, caravaneislam@gmail.com
Holy Prophetsa said: “A word of wisdom is a lost treasure for a believer.” Your feedback and advice forms our Treasure Chest A Letter from President Jam’at Italy Jazakallah for sending me a copy of Caravan-e-Islam. Your coverage of the our Mission House, Bait-u-Tauheed, is of great encouragement to members of the Jama’at in Italy. Further, Jazakallah for bringing to our attention the two visions of Hadhrat Musleh-e-Maud. They are very significant and I am sure that the depth of their significance will become clear to us in due time. Insha’allah. Finally, congratulations on the start of this important publication - from the quality of the material, one can easily imagine how much hard work must have gone into the preparation. May Allah bless you all for this effort. Please remember Jama’at Italy in your prayers. Wassalam Abdul Fatir Malik President The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at. Italy From Members of Jama’at USA Mahmood Khan, Zaim Majlis Ansarullah Houston ... Very impressive, may Allah reward you abundantly. Munir Malik, Phoenix AZ Masha’Allah, it is wonderful and enjoyed reading it ver much. May Allah bless you all for the devoted services for thsi noble cause.M Mahbubul Aalam Ali, President Seattle Jama’at ...........The newsletter is very beautiful. Bushra Bajwa, Regional President Lajna, Southwest region Jazak Allah for the 2nd edition. It’s excellent. Enjoyed reading it. Sahibzada Arshad Rashedi, L.A. East, CA Thank you for starting this wonderful publication electronically. I enjoyed reading it all. It was very interesting, to the point and informative. May Allah subhantala reward you abundantly for your hard work and your team, Mash’Allah. Mohammad Shakar Lone, Mohtamim Tehrik E Jadid Majlid Khuddamul Ahmadiyya USA First of all I wanted to congratulate you on Caravan-e-Isam, truly outstanding, Masha’Allah! Secondly, I wanted to ask your permission to archive Caravan-e-Islam on our MKA website under Tehrik-e-Jadid home page. Also, we would like to promote this magazine by distributing it at our monthly Khuddam meetings nationwide. Falahuddin Shams, Auditor Jam’at Ahmadiyya USA ............Your Newsletter is Masha’Allah very nice and useful A Word of Advice: Mazharul Haque , Secretary Tehrik e Jadid Inland Empire You should have annual contest between chapters and award the top performers at the end.
Tahrik-e-Jadid Pledge Form for Individuals and Families You fulfill your pledges and I will fulfill Mine
Al-Quran 2:40
Name:___________________________________________Jam’at__________________Code No.________________ Contact Phone:__________________________________ E-mail:___________________________________________ Details of Pledge (s) for me and my family are presented below: Name
Relation
Code No.
Amount Pledged
Amount paid
_______________________________________Self _______________________________________Spouse _______________________________________Son/Daughter _______________________________________Son/Daughter _______________________________________Son/Daughter _______________________________________Son/Daughter _______________________________________Son/Daughter _______________________________________Son/Daughter
________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ _________
$_____________ $_____________ $_____________ $_____________ $_____________ $_____________ $_____________ $_____________
$__________ $_________ $__________ $__________ $__________ $__________ $__________ $__________
_______________________________________Deceased _______________________________________Deceased Deceased
__________ __________ _______
$_____________ $_____________ $_____________
$__________ $__________ $__________
$______________
$__________
Total for the Family
________I would like to arrange a direct debit from my bank account, please contact me in this regard. ________I would like to be reminded once a quarter for payment. ________Please contact me regarding my deceased loved ones if they are among the 5000 Mujahideen. ________My children born after November 2005 should be included in Daftar Punjum. Their names are as follows: ____________________ ____________________ _______________________ SIGNATURE:________________________Code No.:__________________Phone No.:____________________ Please fill out above form and give to your local Tahrik-e-Jadid Secretary Hadhrat Musleh e Mauood ra said: “ This is not my scheme, rather it is a scheme revealed by God.” He further said: “ The purpose of initiating Tahrik e Jadid is to
generate necessary funds for the propagation of the name of God to the corners of the world. It is initiated so that individuals could devote their entire lives for the propagation of Islam. Tahrik e Jadid is initiated so that the members of our jam’at would gain that courage and perseverance that should be a characteristic of active and efficient organizations.” Friday Sermon Nov. 27, 1942