By A. Abdul Aziz, Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at, Sri Lanka.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ (Given below is an excerpt the Friday Sermon of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Supreme Head of the world-wide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Islam, delivered on 8^th June 2012 at ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Baithul FuthuhƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢, London, U.K., gave a discourse on his recent successful tour to Holland and Germany.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Ahmadiyya Khalifa began the sermon by saying that not only every Ahmadi, but also our opponents can see the fulfillment of the promises God made to Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian – the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace).

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) explained in his book Baraheen e Ahmadiyya that in the verse ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦and will place those who follow thee above those who disbelieve until the Day of ResurrectionƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ (3:56) is a Divine promise with his Community (JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at). He wrote in October 1902 that GodƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s promises are true and likened his own time to sowing of seed. He also said that if there had been no opponents, the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at would not have seen miraculous progress because miracles are burnished with opposition. He wrote that God was increasing the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at in size in an astonishing manner. Could it be something he or his JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at had managed? Certainly not; it was GodƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s work.

We witness corroboration of this on a daily basis, pious-natured people are entering the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at and the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at is being blessed in its resources and its people. The opponents are consumed with jealousy and every day some news or the other comes from Pakistan to this effect. Recently a wretched shop put an image of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) on a door mat so that it may be trampled on. A decent officer from the authorities took notice of this and had the door mat removed. These people should remember that GodƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s sense of honour will definitely avenge such treatment of those who are dear to Him. These people and their ringleaders will become a cautionary sign and a time will come that not only their images, they too will be trampled. We are patient and no matter what they do we will never take the law in our hands. We should intensify our prayers; these alone are our weapons, we have no other weapons. Some people put forward suggestions to take other measures. They should first take their prayers to the highest point.

GodƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s help and corroboration is with the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at as pious-natured people are drawn to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and enter the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at. People who do not even believe in the existence of God are compelled to opine that this Community is progressing by the day and its teaching is going to be triumphant. As the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said this is GodƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s work and through it wondrous signs emerge. People of the Community as much as touch a task and God brings about thousand-fold results. This gives rise to jealousy among the opponents.

Addressing the enviers, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said their contention is with God; surely none can contend with God. Therefore they should fear God, for those who contend with Him are reduced to smithereens. Indeed, we witness showers of GodƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s blessings by the day and in spite of being called Muslims, these people do not stop and think that any effort that the Ahmadiyya JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at makes is resulting in the outsiders being impressed.

Hazrat Ameer-ul-Mumineen said whenever he goes on a trip abroad, he notices a renewed glory of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) unfolded to the outsiders. In his recent trips to Holland and Germany, he met people of the Community as well as outsiders. As it is observed, the outsiders who come to the Convention (Jalsa) take a positive influence. His Holiness graced Holland Jalsa after a long period. The Holland JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at suggested arranging an event with outside guests which him initially did not agree with as he felt the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at did not have sufficient networks with the educated fraternity there. Later, His Holiness thought that our JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at centre is located is the area of the infamous Dutch politician who is ever vociferous against Islam and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), so it would be favourable to hold an event. As the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at is small, it was envisaged that about twenty people could be invited, but with GodƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s grace 125 people attended the event, including dignitaries. Amazingly, national media, along with local media, covered the event.

Ahmadiyya Khalifa presented the beautiful teachings of Islam and the blessed model of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) in his address at the event. The local mayor and MP also addressed the event and spoke of religious tolerance. Later, the MP said that he was impressed with the beautiful teaching of Islam. The MP verified that the Dutch Ahmadiyya Community (JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at) does not have sufficient networks when he said that the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at should develop links with the educated fraternity and the politicians so that misconceptions regarding Islam held by the Dutch are removed. Without naming names, he said that hatred spread by some would also be removed. God works in mysterious ways. Here was a Christian suggesting ways to take the teaching of Islam to his countrymen. This very decent politician had said to Ahmadiyya Supreme that he would post his views on his website as well as a photograph he had had taken with His Holiness and he fulfilled his words.

The press too portrayed the event in a positive manner. One of the two national newspapers present also took a brief interview of Ahmadiyya Head at the end of which His Holiness put a question to the journalist. He said that the region was known as the Bible belt of Holland and its inhabitants were religious people who awaited the Second Coming of Jesus (on whom be peace) and they realized that the time for his Coming is here, in fact it has passed. While Jesus (on whom be peace) has not come, they should reflect on the one who has come. The journalist momentarily appeared sore, but then smiled and said nothing. It was thought that he may not print the news or may not report correctly. However, next day surprisingly not only was the news printed, a photograph of Ahmadiyya Khalifa was given the front page and all the reporting was accurate. The newspaper has a large circulation.

The other national newspaper also printed news of the event. The media gave very good and positive coverage of the event and what Ahmadiyya Supreme Head mentioned in his address, including our views on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This is indeed GodƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s work. On one hand is Geert Wilders, spreading his book against Islam and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and on the other hand not only in his country, rather in his region, misconceptions about Islam were removed through the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The Holland JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at did not expect so much media coverage. Now, they need to build on the links and networks and further remove misconceptions against Islam and uncover the lies and malice of Wilders to his countrymen. The guests who attended the event responded very well. May God bring about good results in future as well and may these people gather under the banner of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). The members of Holland JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at will have to make great endeavours in this regard, Ahmadiyya Khalifa advised.

The Annual Convention (Jalsa) in Germany went very well. Each year at Jalsa time in Germany inaugurations of mosques also takes place. This year three mosques were inaugurated and foundation stone was laid for one mosque. The German JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at has taken on to invite dignitaries and educated fraternity at the inaugurations and foundation-laying. This is very significant for the introduction of JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at and indeed to spread the teaching of Islam. Our real objective is to present the teaching of Islam. Ahmadiyya Khalifa always reminds the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at that with the introduction of the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at and with Tabligh activities, the responsibility of the members increases. They have to demonstrate exemplary models of Islam.

In Germany, Ahmadiyya Supreme Head had the opportunity to give a lecture at a military organization. Civil authorities are also affiliated with this organisation. They invite experts from various fields to deliver lectures and hold seminars. His Holiness gave a lecture on IslamƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s teachings on loyalty to oneƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s country which was followed by a brief Q & A session. The event was attended by dignitaries including Christian and Jew religious leaders as well as high ranking military officers. It was very well received. Among the responses recorded, one guest said that he was astonished that a person could explain the solutions to the problems the world faces today in such easy terms. Thus is the teaching of Islam! It is the task of the followers of the true and ardent devotee of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) to take the true and real teaching of Islam to the world. Many attendees of the event requested a copy of the address given by His Holiness. It is currently being translated in German for this purpose.

A regular feature of German Ahmadiyya Convention is an event where German guests outside the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at are invited. It is usually attended by 500 to 600 people. This year Ahmadiyya Khalifa addressed the occasion on the teachings of Islam, the objective of the advent of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace), current affairs and caution about the way, having forgotten God, the world is heading towards destruction. It was very well received.

German Ahmadiyya Convention is always attended by Ahmadi and non-Ahmadi delegations from various countries. The largest delegation this year came from Bulgaria. They were quite impressed by the Jalsa proceedings. Each year new people come and are impressed by the Jalsa while it proves to open up the hearts of some. A young man from Bulgaria asked Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih what proof was there that Ahmadis did what they did for the sake of God. He was told that leaving everything else aside, we are serving in far-flung regions of Africa regardless of race or religion. We have nothing to gain from this. Of course, it is our effort that people worship the One True God. There has been restriction on the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at in Bulgaria for the past few years. The government is under the influence of the Mullah although outwardly it is said that in order to prevent chaos among Muslims only one sermon should be given etc. Bulgaria receives aid from some Arab countries who cannot tolerate that Ahmadis are given any opportunity. Meetings were also held with Ahmadi and non-Ahmadi guests from Malta, Spain, Turkey and Bosnia and they went very well.

This year the BaiƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at (oath of allegiance) of new converts was held in a large hall so that others could also join. One person, who has been in touch with the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at for a long time and attended all the events, was also present at the BaiƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at. He said he had no intention of taking BaiƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at but when the ceremony started, he felt as if a power extended his hand for BaiƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at. He says he is now a staunch Ahmadi. The German Jalsa went very well. May it garner blessings and having garnered them, may it go on to disseminate them.