7 minute read
Great Victory of Prayer over Prejudice: A Tour of The Fath-e-Azeem Mosque Exhibition | Fareeha Ahmad
Great Victory of Prayer over Prejudice: A Tour of e Fath-e-Azeem Mosque Exhibition
Fareeha Ahmad, Oshkosh, USA
On the 26th of September, history was made. The Fifth Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaba, stepped foot in Zion, Illinois. Here, the Worldwide head of the Community began his tour of the United States and inaugurated the newly built Fath-e-Azeem (Great Victory) Mosque.
So, what is the signifcant history behind this city? Why did this community choose Zion? All of these questions were answered in an interactive exhibition that highlighted the beginnings of Ahmadiyyat in Zion.
In a series of short videos that circled around the room, this exhibition began by explaining the “great victory of prayer over prejudice.” This victory was in the form of the prayer duel between the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the founder of Zion; Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas and John Alexander Dowie.
The frst section went over the basics of Islam, with displays of the Ka’bah and the Holy Qur’an, some of the most sacred things in the religion of Islam. The video also covered what Islam requires belief in; Allah, the Angels, Divine Scriptures, the Prophets, the Day of Judgement, and Divine Decree. Additionally, it provided an explanation of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw and all the different types of people that he gave rights to.
Continuing along the circle, the audience was introduced to Dowie, the Scottish born faith healer who established Zion and claimed to be Elijah the Restorer. This section served viewers with a timeline of events within his life, the downfall of which started in 1902 when he was challenged to a prayer duel. Along with this, many of Dowie’s beliefs were revealed:
“The Christian Church was established to destroy the Jewish Church and every form of heathen worship.”
“The purpose of the Christian Catholic Church in Zion is to smash every other church in existence.”
“Islam must go…Mohammedanism must be destroyed.”
Next in the exhibition, the reason that this city holds so much importance to Ahmadi Muslims begins to tie into the story. With a description on the Promised Messiahas, a devoted follower of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw, and how the historic story of the prayer duel began. The tour explains that Dowie’s hatred for Islam caught the eye of Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, and it was because of this that Dowie was challenged to a prayer duel.
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas took the stand to go up against Dowie’s frm claims and defend the religion that he served and adored greatly and just as Dowie’s ideas were explained, so were Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’sas .
‘Prayer over prejudice,’ a saying often repeated throughout this exhibition that perfectly summed up the outcome of the famous duel. The prayer duel seemed to catch the attention of people worldwide and received international recognition; within the exhibition many news outlets covering the duel were showcased. Moreover, some of these news clippings highlighted that the victory of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas was the least expected.
Nonetheless, the new mosque in Zion is named ‘A Great Victory,’ which is exactly what took place. The videos explained that before the prayer duel, Dowie was the perfect picture of health and success, but not long after, those began to decline. With public failures, fnancial crisis, and worsening health, Dowie began to lose hold of his community and his followers. His existence ultimately came to an end in 1907, when Dowie became paralyzed after a stroke and died in Zion, fulflling the prophecy of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas .
As the exhibition came to an end, people had the opportunity to take part in an interactive display of the United States that showed news archives from all over the country; this truly affrmed how widespread this event had become.
Undoubtedly, the legacy of the Promised Messiahas has remained all the way through present day, and will continue to succeed through his Caliphate that strengthens the reigns of the Ahmadi Community.
The Fifth Caliph’s visit to Zion has been an exhilarating experience for Ahmadis young and old. People from around the United States came to share this moment and this exhibition added to this feeling. People were captivated by the chance to learn the history of this city in such an engaging way and they all excitedly lined up to be a part of such a memorable event.
Nasirat Refect on teir Experience
“I felt really good, especially when everyone was singing the tarana” Aakifa Ahmed - 8 years
“I had the opportunity to pray Jummah behind Hazuraba and I was very pleased that Hazuraba visited America this year. Whenever I saw Hazuraba I felt very drawn to him and I could feel that he was chosen from Allah.” Faateha Atiya-tul-Hayee Ahmad - 12 years
“It was a really blessed experience having Hazuraba in Zion because we live really close to Zion, so I was able to take the full week off of school and read every Namaz behind Hazuraba. We watched Hazuraba come out of his house and saw him in person, which was very different from seeing him on TV. I also got to meet Apa Jaan, I had never seen her before so it was very great. The whole experience of Hazuraba coming to the U.S was really amazing and a blessing.” Naba Ahmad - 12 years
“All the Nasirat were lined up in front of the Masjid, we were all singing our taranay when Hazuraba arrived and passed by us. I was so scared that he wouldn’t be able to hear our tarana and I wouldn’t be able to see him. But Hazuraba came out of the car and walked towards us! That’s when I caught a glimpse of Hazur’saba face, I had forgotten that I was waiting hours for his arrival. Standing at the fence I started crying because my heart was so full of love and happiness.”
Umaiza Warrich - 9 years
“When I saw Hazuraba, his face was very full of light and we all were focusing on him. I was a part of the tarana group and we were all forgetting the lyrics because he really stood out and we could only focus on him.”
Hiba-tus-Sabooh Haroon Malik - 12 years
“It was really nice to meet Hazuraba after such a long time, I was very blessed to read Namaz behind Hazuraba, and we would stand behind the barricades waiting for Hazuraba, doing taranay and narey. I felt so blessed to be a part of the history of the new Fath-e-Azeem Mosque and when Hazuraba left we were really sad.” Dania Amtul Hafeez Mían - 13 years
“The experience for me was a very special one and I felt that this experience was unworldly because to see the leader of the whole Ahmadiyya Community right in front of you, it doesn’t feel possible. I really felt a peace of mind hearing him and praying behind him, it was all a really special experience, and one I will never forget.” Asifah Amatul Latif - 14 years
“It was a really wonderful experience because the last time Hazuraba came to America I was really young so I don’t remember much. Zion was also a lot smaller so I had more opportunities to see him. Overall, it was a very blessed and enjoyable experience and it made me feel very enlightened.” Muqadas Atia Shahzad - 14 years
