Basharaat-E-Ahmadiyya Newsletter December 2011 - The Lahore

60 Pages·2011·8.29 MB·English

Basharaat-E-Ahmadiyya
An Annual International News Magazine of Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam (Lahore) USA
P.O. Box 3370, Dublin, Ohio 43016 U.S.A.
Phone [phone] • Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected] • Website: www.muslim.org
Vol. 2011 December 2011
60th
Anniversary
of the
passing of
Allama
Maulana
Muhammad
Ali
– See story, page 4
IN THIS ISSUE
Editor’s Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Visit to Holland and France (March 2011) . . . . . . . . . .31
In Memory of Maulana Muhammad Ali . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Visit to Egypt (May 2011) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Tribute to Dr. Saeed Ahmad Saeed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Visit to Egypt and Turkey (August 2011) . . . . . . . . . . . .33
USA Jamaat International Convention 2011 . . . . . . . . . 7
News from the USA Jamaat 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
USA Jamaat Symposium July 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Visit to the Philippines (February 2011) . . . . . . . . . . . .41
ISNA Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Visit to the Philippines (September 2011) . . . . . . . . . . .46
Letters of Appreciation for USA Convention . . . . . . . . .17
Philippine Jamaat 2011 News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
USA Convention Lecture by Nena Mendosa . . . . . . . .18
Nation of Islam and Honorable Minister Farrakhan . . . .21 South Africa Jamaat 2011 News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Visit to Holland, Turkey, Paris and Egypt 2011 . . . . . . .25 Stichting Jamaat 2011 News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
6,000 Free Arabic Books Distributed in Cairo . . . . . . . .30 News from the Nigeria Jamaat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
2Basharaat-E-Ahmadiyya
EDITOR’S NOTES
A
s the year draws to a close, it is time to take ly to any activity by which they can present Islam and
stock of what has been accomplished and Ahmadiyyat to people.
what remains to be done.
Innovation key to continued progress
First and foremost, we thank Almighty Allah, the
most Beneficent (Al-Rahman) and Merciful (Al- Keeping in mind this need to make our books as
Raheem) for all the opportunities He has given us to widely available as possible, we have converted most of
serve His cause and for the resources He has our major books into e-book format this year. This is
bestowed upon us to accomplish that objective, and we especially important in view of the increasing populari-
beseech Him to Grant us the strength and resolve to ty of e-readers. The initial response to our e-books has
utilize those resources in His service. been very encouraging. The whole project has been
There is much talk these days about the role and conceived and directed by Samina Malik. In connection
objective of the Lahore Ahmadiyya jamaat. The role and with the production of the e-books we would like to
objective of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement can be acknowledge Brother Shabbier Hoeseni and Reza
easily determined by examining the reason for its Ghafoer Khan from Holland, Brother Ebrahim
formation. Mohammad from South Africa, and Dr. Mohammad
The Ahmadiyyajamaat is the organization founded Ahmad, Lubna Ahmad, Zainab Ahmad, Naseera
by the Mujaddid of this age, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Asad Ahmad and Halima Ahmad from the
Ahmad, to continue the mission entrusted by God to United States for patiently doing the arduous work of
him. The mission of Hazrat Mirza Sahib as Mujaddid checking the e-book proofs. By the Grace of Almighty
was to remove any wrong beliefs or practises which Allah, another milestone has been achieved in the
may have crept into the faith through the passage of multi-media presentation of our literature. The DVD
time, to defend it from extraneous attacks, and to pres- audio recording of the English text and the footnotes of
ent the beautiful teachings of Islam to the world which Maulana Muhammad Ali’s translation is now complete,
would bring about the final triumph of the faith. This and will be available for sale. Previously only the
objective, as he proposes in his writings, was to be English text recording was available.
achieved peacefully, mainly by spreading literature
Conventional methods maintained
containing the rational, tolerant and peaceful teachings
of Islam. Maulana Muhammad Ali has expressed this The free distribution of 6,000 copies of Maulana
idea beautifully in two short sentences: “Our work is to Muhammad Ali’s Arabic books in Egypt including the
take the Holy Quran into the world. After that the Quran Religion of Islam is another such example. The credit
will do it its own work”. for this also goes to Samina Malik, and we thank Allah
This, then, is the prime mission of the Ahmadiyya Taala for this achievement in which our literature is
jamaat, and this is what the USA jamaat strives toward. being widely distributed in an important Muslim country
All our activities, both at home in the United States, and such as Egypt. Over the past three years we have
in countries abroad, are geared to this objective. It is donated 15,000 Holy Quran to Nigeria, 10,000 Holy
the duty of all ahmadis to take stock of the situation Quran to the Philippines, 1000 Holy Quran to South
around them and to commit themselves whole-hearted- Africa and 200 Holy Quran to India. Tens of thousands
of our other books have been distributed free in these
and other countries as well. In addition, thousands of
Editor: Dr Noman Malik copies of the Holy Quran and our other books have
Director/Treasurer, USA Jamaat been distributed free in the United States.
Circulation: A.A.I.I.L. U.S.A. Similarly, all the symposia we hold in different coun-
Production: MEGG Enterprises tries have the same objective of promoting our literature.
In these forums, the ideas presented and the speeches
News, letters and views are welcome, and
made on the basis of this literature receive accolades
should be sent to:
from Muslims and Non-Muslims alike, and this is evi-
The Editor,
dence of the high spiritual, moral and intellectual caliber
Basharaat-e-Ahmadiyya
of the literature and the effectiveness of this method of
P.O. Box 3370
propagation of the Islamic faith and ideals. The foreword
Dublin, OH 43016 U.S.A.
to the Religion of Islam by the late Grand imam of
Phone [phone]
Al-Azhar, Sheikh Dr. Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi, and
Fax [phone]
the praise of Maulana Muhammad Ali’s work by
Website www.muslim.org
Professor Koningsveld of Leiden University in Holland
E-mail [email protected]
bear further testimony to the excellence of our literature.
3Basharaat-E-Ahmadiyya
EDITOR’S NOTES
Interfaith initiatives Bless and Reward them all for their dedication and
sacrifice.
One of the key elements for success in this endeav-
or is to reach out to Muslim and Non-Muslim individuals
Other jamaat activities in the USA
and organizations in a spirit of friendship and sharing.
At home in the United States, we have started a
Brother Fazeel Khan’s success with this approach in
weekly Quran darsseries via internet which has proven
forging relationships with other religious organizations
to be very popular with members. Dr. Halima Saeed is
as presented in the articles in this issue is a model for
doing a very credable job of organizing the dars
others to emulate. The success of this approach can be
sessions. Our devoted and enthusiastic members, Mr.
seen in the acquisition of a Lahore Ahmadiyya booth to
Imtiyaz Ishakh and his wife Amina Ishakh, have been
display our books in the ISNA Convention, representa-
organizing a yearly half day interfaith conference for the
tion on ISNA’s diversity committee, and the large
past three years.
attendance at our 2011 international convention by indi-
Since 1991 the USA jamaat has been publishing
viduals from Christian churches and interfaith organiza-
the Light and Islamic Review magazine. The magazine
tions. The attendance of Sheikh Omar Bastawisy and
is sent free to more than 700 libraries in the United
Mr. Ahmed Abdel Khalek, both formerly of Al-Azhar,
States. The current editor, Mr. Fazeel Khan, is doing an
Cairo, Egypt, at the USA jamaat’s 2011 International
excellent job of maintaining the high standards of the
Convention at the invitation of Samina Malik is another
publication. This excellent magazine may be viewed on
example.
our (under re-construction) website www.muslim.org.
Our jamaats abroad Alhamdolillah! Zainab Ahmad is producing a popu-
lar quarterly children’s magazine, The Lighthouse
In our jamaats abroad also, we see the same ded-
Magazine, for the past several years. Allmighty Allah
ication and zeal to promote our literature. An Inspiring
reward her for this service to children.
example of this dedication is demonstrated by the
All travel expenses incurred by USA directors are
Stichting Jamaat of Holland and its members such as
borne by the directors themselves.
Brother Shabbier Hoeseni, Brother Nur Sardar, Brother
Reza Ghafoerkhan and Brother Jerrel Sardar. Likewise
Fazlul Bari
Brother Ebrahim Muhammad and his wife Shegha
Another significant accomplishment of the USA
Muhammad are working hard in South Africa repre-
Jamaat has been a retypesetting of the Fazlul Bari, the
senting the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement in forums in
Urdu translation of the Sahih Bukhari by Maulana
and around Cape Town.
Mulana Muhammad Ali, in a modern format. The new
In the Philippines we have our dedicated and
typesetting will make it easier for readers to access this
enthusiastic members in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro.
two volume monumental work. Both volumes are avail-
Professor Abdil Ghafar Espiritu has held many
able for viewing on www.muslim.org. The printed
symposia in Cebu City Universities, and Ustadz Najeeb
volume will be available shortly.
Razul hosts a daily radio program in Cebu City which
Last but not least, we are all grateful for the wise
reaches the central and Southern Philippines. In
and understanding leadership of Dr. Muhammad
Cagayan de Oro, Sister Nena Mendosa is managing
Ahmad, the President of the USA jamaat. His modesty,
jamaat affairs and building relationships with the neigh-
sincerity and commitment to Islam and Ahmadiyyat are
borhood non-muslims by inviting them to the Center.
inspiring. He, together with his wife Sister Lubna
Imam Ramiz Manzano also is busy in dawah work, and
Ahmad, are involved in interfaith organizations and
he, together with Brother Jafar, a resident student,
charitable programs such as feeding the poor, helping
takes care of the Center and the Mosque.
in free medical clinics and religious counseling in
Mention must also be made in this regard about
prisons. Besides these activities, they manually pack
Brother Mehboob Raza in Fiji and Brother Sadr-ud-
and ship book orders weekly. These qualities make him
dean Sahukhan in Australia. Brother Mehboob Raza is
a model for those in leadership positions.
donating 50 sets of books consisting of the Holy Quran,
We pray that Allah Taala gives us the strength and
Religion of Islam, and Manual of Hadith to libraries in
fortitude to remain true to the conditions of the Bayat,
New Zealand. Brother Sadr-ud-dean Sahukhan, in
and Grants us the strength to continue spreading the
Canberra, Australia is busy in inter-faith activities and
Holy Quran and other literature in the coming years.
dawah work. In addition to these activities, he serves as
Ameen!
Imam in Jummah services for the University’s Muslim
students. Space does not permit me to name everyone Wassalaam
who is engaged in this spiritual jihad. May Allah Taala Noman Malik
4Basharaat-E-Ahmadiyya
60th ANNIVERSARY:
In Memory of Maulana Muhammad Ali
By Mrs Samina Malik The quotation inserted on this many valuable suggestions. To him,
page was one of Maulana indeed, the Muslim world owes a
O
n October 13, 2011, it Muhammad Ali’s most loved and deep debt of gratitude as the leader
was 60 years since our favourite and the prayer which he of the new turn given to the exposi-
dear and beloved would recite after the Darood tion of the Holy Quran. He has done
Maulana Muhammad Ali went to Sharif. his work and passed away silently,
his Maker. We remember him every He was blessed by Almighty but it is a fact that he spent the
day in our prayers, and ask Allah to translate the Holy Quran whole of his life in studying the Holy
Almighty Allah to Bless and Grant into two major languages, English Quran, and must be ranked with the
him a place in paradise. and Urdu. The translations and greatest expositors of the Holy
commentaries bear testimony to Book.”
It was in April of 1916 that Maulana Maulana Muhammad Ali’s intellec- Towards the end of his life he
Muhamamd Ali completed work on tual prowess and extensive knowl- revised his English Translation and
the English translation completed the proof-
and commentary of O Allah! Help him who helps the religion of reading of the manu-
the Holy Quran. In the script of the Holy
Muhammad (may the peace and the blessings
Friday khutba on the Quran all by himself
28th of that month, he of Allah upon him), and make us from among just a few days before
conveyed that good his return to the
such people. O Allah! Forsake him who for-
news to the communi- Maker. Maulana Yakub
ty. After reading Sura sakes the religion of Muhammad (may the Khan in his foreword to
Al Fatiha, Sura Al the second edition of
peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him),
Falaq and Sura An- Maulana Muhammad
Nas, he said “…a and make us not from among such people. Ali’s English transla-
human being can only tion writes:
take up a task by “About the closing
Allah’s help only, and It is only with edge of the subject. But it is the years of his life, when the
Allah’s help that he can complete it. deep spiritual insight inspired by Translation had already run into
Today is a day of happiness for me. the Mujaddid of this age, Hazrat three editions, and the Maulana
For years I have been busy in the Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, displayed was stepping into his seventies, he
work of translating the Holy Quran throughout the commentaries felt he owed it to the world to give it
into English, and by the Grace of which make his works surpass the fruit of his deeper insight into
Allah, I have completed it today...” other translations in explaining the the Quranic truths, which more
His whole life revolved around meaning of the Holy Quran. In the extensive study in the meantime,
his love for the Holy Quran, a love preface to his revised edition of the and advancing years, had brought
which he had inherited from Hazrat Holy Quran he writes: him. Once more he plunged himself
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Sahib and “And lastly, the greatest reli- into another long spell of the most
Maulana Nuru Din. Dissemination gious leader of the present time, taxing labour to bring out a revised
of the Holy Quran was a passion Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, edition. This took him another five
with him. His Friday Khutbas pub- has inspired me with all that is best years (1946-1951). He forgot that
lished in the Paigham Sulh are in this work. I have drunk deep at he was no longer a young man. The
filled with appeals for the need to the fountain of knowledge which strain proved too much for him, so
spread the Holy Quran in the this great Reformer — Mujaddid of that he had to do the proofreading
World. Both Muslims and non- the present century and founder of in his sick-bed, which finally proved
Muslims wrote to him telling him the Ahmadiyyah Movement — has his death-bed.
how much they had benefited from made to flow. There is one more “On arrival of the proofs from
his Quran Translation. person whose name I must men- England,” write his biographers,
Ambassadors of foreign countries tion in this connection, the late “the Maulana would get his head
and other international visitors fre- Maulawa Hakim Nur- al-Din, who in raised in his bed, and with hands
quently called on him, some of his last long illness patiently went quivering would correct the proofs
them kissing his hands out of love through much the greater part of and give the final touches.” The
and admiration. the explanatory notes and made final proofs were corrected on
5Basharaat-E-Ahmadiyya
October 8, 1951, and five days later Bastawisy from Alazhar and Mr.
he breathed his last. He died in har- Ahmad Khalek came to the USA
ness in the service of the Quran. Jamaat convention, they were invit-
“The Quran describes the bat- ed by Minister Louis Farahkhan to
tle for the minds of men as the high- his mosque and schools. On our
est jihad. Maulana Muhammad Ali tour of the school, Minister Ismael
was undoubtedly the greatest Muhammad asked the first grade
mujahid of his day in the cause of students “Who is Maulana
the Quran.” Muhammad Ali?” and the students
Maulana Muhammad Ali in his replied loudly “The translator of the
excellent translation has given us Holy Quran”.
the light and the spiritual food. We thank Mrs. Akhtar Aziz for
How many millions read his trans- translating A Mighty Striving from
lation of the Quran in the world Urdu into English and Dr. Zahid
today? His commentary of the Aziz for proofreading and editing
Holy Quran is replete with refer- the translation. May Almighty Allah
ences and explanation of Arabic reward and bless them both for
words supporting his explanation their hard work. We have also had
and conclusion. Without this schol- Farooqi Sahib had the most knowl- A Mighty Striving translated into
arly work it is almost impossible for edge on the Quran in our jamaat. Arabic and will soon be putting this
anyone to fully understand the The USA Jamaat, thanks to on our website and having it printed
Quran. His scholarly translation is Almighty Allah has translated the for the benefit of Arabic speaking
admitted by many as a seminal Maulana’s revised version of the people.
work in the field of Holy Quran Holy Quran into seven languages: May Almighty Allah Grant our
translation. Spanish, French, Russian, Dutch, dear Maulana Muhammad Ali a
He sacrificed everything in life German, Italian and Turkish, and is place in Paradise and reward him
for the Holy Quran and Islam. working on six more languages. for his great service to Islam and
Hazrat Mirza Sahib only asked him I remember when Sheikh El the Ahamdiyya Movement.
once to join him in Qadian. At that
time he had made all arrangements
to start his law practice. But on
Hazrat Mirza Sahib’s request, he
forthwith abandoned his plans for
the law practice and joined the
Mujaddid of the age, Hazrat Mirza
Ghulam Ahmad, in Qadian. For the
next fifty years he wrote untiringly in
the defense and exposition of Islam,
until death, almost literally,
Dr. Noman Malik
snatched the pen from him. He lived
in Maulana
a very simple, humble and caring
Muhammad Ali’s
life. He had completed law school,
room in Qadian.
and in addition was a professor of
mathematics in the Anglo-Oriental
College. He was a model husband,
father and grandfather. People who
remember him, recall him with fond-
ness.
I was told a great deal about
Maulana Muhammad Ali and his
activities in the Jamaat by our dear
Janji, the late Dr. Saeed Ahmad
Sahib, Mian Naseer Ahmad
Farooqi Sahib and Ch. Mansur Copies of Maulana
Ahmad Sahib, all of whom I respect Muhammad Ali’s
very much. most revered works:
After Maulana Muhammad Ali, The Holy Quran
perhaps Mr. Naseer Ahmad English Translation
and Religion of Islam.
6Basharaat-E-Ahmadiyya
15th ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE:
The Late Hazrat Ameer Dr. Saeed Ahmad Sahib
By Mrs Samina Malik When I was put in charge of the The recent free distribution of
Publication and Translation project the Arabic Religion of Islam,
T
he Late Hazrat Ameer, Dr. by the USA jamaat, distribution of Muhammad the Prophet and The
Saeed Ahmad Sahib of our books was sluggish, but since Living thoughts of the Prophet
blessed memory, passed then, the USA jamaat has been Muhammad on a large scale (a
away at the age of 96 on November able to print and distribute, world- total of 6,000 books) in Egypt
15, 1996. In this tribute to Dr. Saeed wide, the bulk of that literature and should be credited to his inspiration
Ahmad, I would like to emphasize has translated many of our books and prayers as well.
the role he played in initiating and His inspirational leadership
inspiring the publication and trans- during the difficult period following
lation projects of the USA jamaat. 1974 kept the Jamaat intact, unified
We, the Lahori Ahmadies are and functional. He was able to
most fortunate in that we have had achieve this because of his high
as an Ameer(President) in the per- moral and spiritual caliber. He ran
son of Maulana Muhammad Ali, the the affairs of the Anjuman with
Mansur— the general, prophesized truth, integrity, love, and fair-mind-
in the army of the Mahdi by the holy edness that could only be expected
prophet Muhammad. It states in the from one who had taken the bayat
prophecy that the victory of Islam at the hands of the Mujaddid,
will come at this general’s hands. Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, and
Muslims generally believe this will who was also the recipient of Ilham
be a physical victory with physical and kashf himself.
wars and battles. Mirza Ghulam May Almighty Allah Grant us
Ahmad, the Mahdi himself, has cor- the spirit to carry on the work of the
rected this misconception by inter- Ahmadiyya Movement. We all miss
preting the prophecy as a spiritual him very much. I pray to Almighty
battle with the forces of materialism Allah that He Grants our dear
and atheism. The victory would be a Jaanji a high place in paradise.
spiritual and intellectual victory, and May Almighty Allah show us
it would be due to the literature pro- the way to serve Islam and the
duced by the Mansur who, under into different languages. The inspi- Quran with the same dedication as
the influence of Hazrat Mirza ration behind the printing and trans- did this great man of Allah.
Ghulam Ahmad’s inspirational writ- lation projects has been the late Noman and I have made a
ings and the enlightened interpreta- Hazrat Ameer Dr. Saeed Ahmad, video recording of Jaanji relating
tion of Islam, would present the and it was fitting that it would be his life history in his own words. In
true, tolerant, peaceful and rational him, because in one of his Ilhams, the video he tells how he together
principles of Islam which would Maulana Muhammad Ali referred to with his father Hakeem Mohammad
attract people to it. Dr. Saeed Ahmad as “My beloved Yahya and his uncle Hakeem
Fulfilling this prophecy, son Saeed”. Mohammad Yaqub, joined the
Maulana Muhammad Ali produced It was late Hazrat Ameer, Dr. Ahmadiyya Movement at the hand
that much needed scholarly and Saeed Ahmad (referred affection- of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. He
inspiring literature. After Maulana ately as Jaanji) who encouraged also gives details of his life with
Muhammad Ali’s demise in 1951, and supported the USA Jamaat in special reference to the Ahmadiyya
the publication and distribution of the translation and printing proj- Movement. To preserve his life his-
literature by the Lahore Ahmadiyya ects. Without his prayers, support tory we are converting the video
jamaat declined. However, following and inspiration, I would have not tape into DVD format.
the disastrous events of 1974 and been able to bring these projects to
the period of persecution which fol- a successful conclusion. It was a
lowed, the printing and publication pleasure to behold his happiness
of our literature was moved to the and enthusiasm when he was (cid:0)
USA jamaat by the Late Hazrat informed about any publication or
Ameer, Dr. Saeed Ahmad Sahib. translation project.
7Basharaat-E-Ahmadiyya
Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam (Lahore)
USA International Convention,
July 7-10, 2011 — Dublin, Ohio
B
y the Grace of Almighty him to be very sincere, trustworthy Urooj in Dublin in the two days pre-
Allah, the annual conven- and knowledgeable. Both gentle- ceding the convention.
tion of the Lahore men help her a great deal when The first presentation was by
Ahmadiyya Islamic Society USA she visits Cairo and Al-Azhar. We Dr. Noman Malik who spoke in the
(Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam , want to express our thanks to Mrs. morning session about the age of
Lahore) was held in Dublin, Ohio, Samina Malik for arranging their Hazrat Ayesha at the time of her
from July 7-10, 2011. In addition to trip to attend the convention in marriage to the Holy Prophet
the USA members, guests from Ohio. Muhammad (PBUH). Dr. Malik con-
Egypt, Pakistan, Fiji, Australia, A week before the Convention, ducted this presentation in an inter-
Nigeria, Trinidad and Canada we took Sheikh Bastawisy and Mr. active manner, giving all partici-
attended the convention. Abdel Khalek to the Islamic Society pants some sheets to fill in and
The Convention was preceded
by two days of educational courses
conducted by Dr. Noman Malik,
Mrs. Sabiha Saeed and Maulana
Kemal Hydal, and a lecture by
Brother Muhammad Sadiq.
Important guests from Egypt
This year we were honored by
the attendance of two important
guests from Cairo, Egypt. Sheikh
Omar El Bastawisy and Mr. Ahmed
Abdel Khalek who arrived a week
before the convention. Sheikh
Omar El Bastawisy is the retired
president of the office of the Grand
Imam of Al-Azhar, and Mr. Ahmed
Abdel Khalek, also retired, served
as interpreter to Grand imams of
Al-Azhar for 34 years. He served as Sheikh Omar Bastawisy with Dr. Noman Malik and Mr. Ahmed Abdel Khalek In the
interpreter to their excellencies USA Jamaat book warehouse.
Dr. Sheikh Abul Haleem Mehmood,
Dr. Sheikh Abul Rahmad Bisar, of North America (ISNA) annual mark dates on them in order to
Dr. Sheikh Jad El Haq Ali and Dr. conference in Chicago where, by arrive at her correct age of mar-
Sheikh Sayed Mohammad Tantawi. the Grace of Almighty Allah, we riage. He proved by extensive
He also teaches English in Al- had been allotted a booth in the research conducted through the
Azhar University. convention hall to display our litera- scholarly work of Maulana
Mrs. Samina Malik has known ture through the efforts of Fazeel S. Muhammad Ali and also through
Sheikh Omar Bastawisy for more Khan. Sheikh Omar and Mr. Khalek the internet, that based on histori-
than 12 years at Al-Azhar, and has were very pleased with our efforts cal facts, it was impossible for
been very impressed by his piety, to propagate a liberal, rational and Hazrat Ayesha to be 9 years old at
knowledge of Islam, and kind per- tolerant Islam in forums such as the the time of her marriage to the Holy
sonality. She has also known Mr. ISNA convention. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Most
Ahmad Abdel Khalek since his likely her age was 16 at the time of
days in Al-Azhar as the interpreter Pre convention educational her betrothal and about 19 at the
of the late Grand Imam of Al-Azhar courses time of her marriage to the Holy
his Excellency Sheikh Sayed A series of short educational Prophet. All participants greatly
Muhammad Tantawi, and has found courses were held in the Masjid–ul- enjoyed the interactive teaching
8Basharaat-E-Ahmadiyya
AAIIL USA International Convention
style and felt that they had greatly with the Jummahprayers and khut-
benefitted from the presentation. ba by Sheikh Bastawisy. The khut-
In the evening, Mrs. Sabiha ba, which dealt with the importance
Saeed gave an excellent presenta- of Jummah prayers, was greatly
tion about the Anti Christ Gog and appreciated by the congregation.
Magog. She used Maulana
Muhammad Ali’s book “Anti Christ, Friday evening session
Gog and Magog” to explain the The Friday evening session,
meaning and significance of the which was preceded by dinner, was
words Anti Christ, Gogand Magog, held in the Embassy Suites Hotel.
and showed how Hazrat Mirza The session began with a
Ghulam Ahmad was the first per- Quran recitation of Surah Fatiha in
son to identify these nations and perfectly accented Arabic by nine
alert us to the grave danger of the year old Miss Malaika Sahukhan
dajjal (Anti-Christ). A lively question from Vancouver, Canada. The
and answer session followed her recitation was followed by a wel- Dr. Hameed Jahangiri giving the
presentation. Mrs. Sabiha Saeed come address by Dr. Muhammad jumma azan.
has been visiting Ohio from Ahmad, president of the USA
Pakistan, and has been giving reg- jamaat. Mrs. Samina Malik conduct-
ular dars in Masjid ul Urooj in ed the session.
Dublin, Ohio. May Almighty Allah The first speaker was Mr.
Bless her for her sacrifice. Zahoor ur Rahman, member of
Brother Mohammad Sadiq the Majlis-e-Muhtamadin, Central
from Columbus spoke about how, Anjuman, Pakistan, who spoke
in contrast to other scriptures, the about the concept of jihad in Islam.
Quran is free of all contradictions. He stressed that the Quran gives
The members were very impressed permission for fighting only as a
by Brother Sadiq’s hard work and last resort in self defense.
extensive research in preparing the Mr. Sadru ud Dean Sahukhan,
lecture. member and past president of
On the morning of Friday, July Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam
8, before the juma prayers, Lahore, Australia, then spoke about
Maulana Kemal Hydal conducted the role of trials and tribulations in
his class on the Ahmadiyya life and how they can help us gain
Movement. He talked about the nearness to Allah.
Ahmadiyya Movement in detail and He was followed by Mr. Ahmad
explained the need for, and rele- Abdel Khalek, retired interpreter of Sheikh Omar Bastawisy delivering
vance of, this movement in modern the office of the Grand Imam of jumma Khutba in Masjid ul Urooj.
times. He also explained how the
role of this movement should be
expanded and adapted to meet the
needs of the present time.
One of the highlights of the
Convention was the Quran dars
given by Sheikh Omar El Bastawisy
after every Fajr prayer. He had
been giving the dars since the
beginning of the convention week.
The Quran dars, all his speeches
and khubta were delivered in
Arabic and were very ably translat-
ed into English by Mr. Ahmad Abdel
Khalek.
The Convention proper began L to R: Ahmed Abdel Khalek, Fazeel Khan, Sheikh Omar Bastawisy, Dr. Noman
Malik and Samina Malik.
9Basharaat-E-Ahmadiyya
AAIIL USA International Convention
Alazhar, Cairo, Egypt who gave an
account of the work of Al Azhar
University, and how it was working
to promote tolerance in the Islamic
world. He expressed his thanks to
the USA jamaat and specifically to
Mrs. Samina and Dr. Noman Malik.
The next speaker was Mrs.
Sabiha Saeed, secretary of the
women’s organization of the Central
Anjuman in Lahore, Pakistan. She
Dr. Mohammad Ahmad, President of Mr. Sadar ud Dean Sahukhan AAIIL
explained the meaning and signifi-
the USA Jamaat giving the opening Australia, delivering lecture.
address.
cance of the darood shareefand its
importance in our lives.
The session concluded with a
speech by Mr. Umar Farooq, Vice-
President Central Anjuman
Pakistan, who spoke about the
blessings and favors of Allah as
reflected in Surah Fatihah.
Saturday July 9, 2011
Mr. Ahmed Abdel Khalek Alazhar of
A symposium entitled The
Mrs. Samina Malik conducting the Egypt, delivering lecture.
Quran: A response to recent con-
Friday session.
troversies concerning Islam’s Holy Saturday evening session
Book was held in the Embassy The evening session began
Suite in the morning and afternoon after dinner. Mr. Mehboob Reza
(see page 12 for details). Approxi - Esq., secretary of the Ahmadiyya
mately 70 guests, mainly Christian, Anjuman Ishaat Islam, Fiji, was the
attended the symposium in addi- first speaker. He gave an excellent
tion to the jamaat members. Most speech about the correct interpreta-
were there due to the efforts of Mr. tion of Quranic verses as expound-
Fazeel S. Khan. Brother Fazeel is ed by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
very active in inter-faith affairs and and Maulana Muhammad Ali. He
issues, and it was due to his con- proved that the Islamic world owes
tacts in these organizations, that a great debt to Hazrat Mirza
Sister Zainab Ahmad with Sheik Omar he was able to invite a large num- Ghulam Ahmad for showing that
el Bastawisy in Madjid ul Urooj. ber of guests to the symposium. there is no contradiction in Quranic
Malaika Sahukhan from Canada, recit- Mr. Zahoor ur Rahman, member Mrs. Sabiha Saeed, Secretary
ing Surah Fatiha at the Convention Muhtamadin Central Anjuman, Women’s Organization Central
opening. delivering lecture. Anjuman, delivering lecture.
10Basharaat-E-Ahmadiyya
AAIIL USA International Convention
recited the Holy Quran or gave
short speeches. May Allah Almighty
Bless them and Grant them all suc-
cess in the future.
After the children’s program,
Mrs. Samina Malik gave a slide
show presentation of her visits to
different parts of the world for the
propagation of Islam and the
Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement.
She stressed the need for
Mian Umar Farooq vice president of the Mr. Mehboob Reza, Secretary of AAIIL
members to individually make
Central Anjuman delivering speech. Fiji, delivering lecture.
efforts to propagate Islam and sug-
verses and that many of the objec- the speeches for our benefit. gested ways in which they could
tionable ideas such as death for become involved in jamaat activi-
apostasy and aggressive jihad are Sunday session ties. She said that one good way for
refuted by the Quran. The Sunday program began members in the USA to become
Sheikh Omar Bastawisy then with the children’s session which involved in the jamaat’s propagation
spoke about Islam and human was conducted by Miss Ayesha effort would be to place the Holy
rights, explaining how Islam has Ishakh from Florida. She did a won- Quran and our major books in
been transformative in giving basic derful job conducting the program. libraries; the whole family could
and vital human rights to even the Aafia and Aarif Ahmad, Malaika and work on this project together.
most disadvantaged in society. Mr. Alishba Sahukhan, Nafeeza Isakh, Another way would be for members
Ahmed Abdel Khalek translated his Zaigham Khalil, Aalim Ishakh, Ali to volunteer to proof-read our
speech simultaneously into English. and Haady Khalil, Nur Manahil and books. She also suggested that
Sheikh Omar Bastawisy was Omar Hayat Ahmad participated in members should try keeping a daily
followed by Mrs. Nena Mendosa, the program. Everyone enjoyed lis- diary in which they could note down
Secretary of the Lahore Ahmadiyya tening to the youngsters who either
Islamic Society, Philippines. She
recounted her journey to Islam, and
how she eventually joined the
Ahmadiyya Movement. She spoke
about the formation of the Lahore
Ahmadiyya Islamic Society in the
Philippines.
Then, Maulana Kemal Hydal,
Imam and Missionary of Trinidad
and Tobago Ahmadiyya Anjuman
Ishaat Islam Lahore and of the Maulana Kemal Hydal, Missionary in
Toronto Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat charge, AAIIL Trinidad and Tobago
Sheikh Omar Bastawisy delivering lec-
Islam Lahore addressed the audi- delivering lecture.
ture.
ence. He spoke about the meaning
of Surah Fatihah and its application
in our lives.
The audience thoroughly
enjoyed the eloquent and inspiring
speeches. After the session, com-
bined maghrib and isha prayers
were performed in which we all
thanked Allah Almighty for the wis-
dom and learning imparted in these
sessions. May Almighty Allah Bless
and Reward the members for their
Mrs. Nena Mendosa, Secretary of Alisha Ishak reciting from the Holy
hard work and effort in preparing
Philippine jamaat, delivering lecture. Quran.