The Ahmadiyya Movement Day

“I thank you for the great attention you have paid me.

I have read your books, and especially the very interesting Teachings of Islam. I shall write an analysis of it in my newspaper.

I hope to visit Northern India before the end of this year and will pay you a visit.”

“A draft for Rs. 207.4.0 is being sent with details.

Regarding the conversion of Iraqi girls to Aryaism, please see separate articles by me and the Jamiat-ul-Islam, Baghdad, to the Editor of the Paigham-i-Sulah [which are being reproduced below].

A son has been granted by Allah to brother Mohammad Shergul. Prayers for his health and long life are needed.

The foundation of the ‘Arya Samaj (Vedic School) Baghdad’ Mandar was laid down on the 1st September 1934 at Battavia. Invitations were issued to all the Indians (Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus) and some Iraqis.

Two packets of free literature in Urdu and English were duly received with samples of Young Islam which (the latter), Insha Allah, will prove very useful for the Movement.

All copies of Risalah—Islamiah are being sent to the Headquarters for distribution in other countries except Iraq.”

“That by ‘Iraqi girls’ conversion to Aryaism, it must not be construed that the converted girls were Muslims, as the ambiguous telegram of the Secretary, International Aryan League, has conveyed. Although Iraq is a Muslim country having a Muslim population of more than ninety-six percent, but there are also Jewish and Christian Iraqis who inhabit the country and are termed Iraqis.

The Hindu population of Iraq consists of the employees of the R.A.F. or traders, who came with the British Army during the Great War and some of them are still living in this country. At the present moment their number is between 150 and 200, and like the ‘Jamiat-el-Islamia’, they have their ‘Arya Samaj (Vedic Church)’ which helps the poor Hindus and tries to keep the Hindus united socially. They also live amicably with Indian Muslims and the Sikhs.

They have neither tried to convert other people to their religion nor have the latter shown any inclination towards their religious views. During the whole history of Iraq two women were shuddhized [converted to Hinduism], one in Iraq, and the other was taken to India and converted and this was about eight years ago. One of these was an Armenian Christian and the other an Iraqi Christian; both had no relatives and supports and were wandering about in the city. When they found supporters, they accepted the help and went over to them.

It would pain the Secretary of ‘the International Aryan League’ to know the facts about the number of their people who have left their fold and joined other religions during the last several years.

Fortunately, the Indian people, be they Muslim, Hindu or Sikh, are living amicably with each other and join each other’s festivals like friends, so this misstatement of the Aryan League should not estrange our mutual rela­tions of friendship and cooperation. Such unauthorized statements must be discouraged by every peace-loving Indian.

The Arya Samaj, Baghdad has collected funds and will lay the foundation stone of their mandir on the 1st September, when the Indian Muslims will join them in these celebrations. The Government of Iraq is very liberal in these matters and it has given full freedom and liberty to all its sub­jects. We therefore request that nothing should be written or done in India which might affect our mutual relations of cooperation and friend­ship in this country. The President of the Arya Samaj Baghdad has assured me that the inform­ation telegraphed by the Aryan League was never sent from here and he is now communicating with the said League to stop such propaganda.

The Muslim journalists are also requested to avoid such things.”

“Your note containing post card, dated the 23rd May 1934, came to hand only this morning after it had been taken to Zaria and redirected back here.

Firstly, I am to thank you and the rest of the Jamaat for your kind remembrance not only of me but also of other overseas members, wishing the missionaries more success in the mission fields.

I am greatly astonished to learn that you sent me literature and a letter about a year ago. I have not received anything from you. Even I would have written to remind you of my letter and the baiat [pledge] sent, but owing to the preparation for the removal of our office to the headquarters which took place about two months ago, and since my arrival I have not settled, yet I am forced to reply urgently even during office hours.

Since I have sent my letter and baiat to you and until I left Zaria, Mr Apaiye, my friend and a member who is now transferred from Zaria, supplied my need by lending me some literature, and the Quran sent to him by you. Although I was born and trained in Lagos, but I am now a stranger after an absence of over seven years. Considering my position, which is very critical among the different sects of Muslims and Christians, I beg that you may let me know the name and address of any of the members residing at Lagos that I may join hands with him, and also make efforts to send me some literature and a copy of the Translation of the Holy Quran for my personal use and assistance.

While awaiting your urgent and full reply to this and the last letter. I say Assalam Alaikum and wish you more luck and success.”

“I beg to acknow­ledge the receipt of your letter and I do not know how to express my thanks but my only wish is great fidelity of having sound communi­cation with you and other Muslim fellows.

Having been born of Muslim parents I continue in the teachings of Islam. Lately I got information about Islam from you which gives me some enlightenment. I am still searching for further information on Islam and the doctrine of Ahmadiyya from you as to enlighten all my fellow Muslims.

I am a student of C. M. S. Grammar School and having lost my only supporter in the year 1932, I continue in both my schooling and religion and I should thank God that I have got to a higher standard in education. When I leave the school and get business in time by God’s power I will be on more intimate terms with you.

I shall be very glad if you will be good enough to send me English literature on Islam. I should be obliged if you would be sending books of less price as to meet my position.

Dear Sir, I also want your photograph for declaration.

As a true Muslim do not think otherwise but when you remember your brother in Islam do pray for him.”

“It affords me the greatest pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of your kind and sympathetic feelings towards me in this, my trying moments.

I received the following books, namely, the Holy Traditions, one; the Selections from the Holy Quran, one; the Holy Prayers from the Holy Quran, one; the Muslim Prayer Book, one; the Muslim Catechism, one; Muhammad and Christ, one; total six in all. Please accept my best thanks.

You have hitherto helped me not only as a brother but acted as the Holy Prophet said thirteen hundred years ago, ‘When your brother is in need, help him.’ May God bless our Mission, bless our President, and all our members, including the whole world.

It is my desire to send in my own donation, but I am a bit down financially. I put my trust upon God.

I should like to have the following books: The Life of our Holy Prophet, one; The Life of the Four Caliphate: Abu Bakar, Ali, Usman, and Umar, one; Arabic Self-taught; and the Encyclopaedia of Islam.

I beg God to help me so as to do for my mission, as laid down by the Holy Prophet. I promise to send some­thing as soon as I can manage.

You may have received my letter with the enclosed five shillings, have got all the books in that letter, with the exception of Arabic Self-taught, and Encyclopaedia of Islam.

I cannot say much at present of our mission until I could do as promised by God’s grace. I need help at present as stated in the Holy Quran, chapter 93, verse 10,

وَ اَمَّا السَّآئِلَ  فَلَا تَنۡہَرۡ ﴿ؕ۱۰﴾

‘And as for him who asks, do not chide him.’

I beg that you all pray for me and my family as I am doing here, and also for all our members and the whole world.”

“I have the honour to inform you that I have been, as you are already aware, elected as the Secretary of the Enugu Muslim Association which was recently founded in this locality purposely for propaga­tion of the noble cause of Islam.

In view of my limited education and intellect I am afraid of carrying out the heavy work attached to this office; therefore, I beg to approach you, being the Secretary of that great and success­ful Movement, for any assistance that lies within your power.

I shall be extremely glad to have your reply at your earliest convenience.”

“By chance I came to understand the Ahmadiyya Movement that is going on in various parts of the world. Even since the temptation has become greater to know in detail what is in the Muhammadan Scriptures. I am a young Christian having completed my B.A. course. I know something of Christiani­ty, a little of Hinduism, and a little of the Muham­madan Faith. It has somehow or other become a strong passion in me to know what invaluable treasures are hidden from my knowledge and discovery in the Islamic literature. If you consider it worthwhile to help me in this line, I would humbly request you to favour me with a copy of the English translation of the Holy Quran.

My intention is to have a disinterested study of it, but with a sincere and open heart. It is the faith of you and myself that a divine message cannot fail to leave an impression on a sincere mind. So as the upholder of a great creed it is your duty, I may say, to give a free chance for the Divine Message to have its silent workings in me, while it is mine to try the Divinity of it and embrace it as much as I find it worthy of my adoration. So, if you don’t mind losing or gaining in this transaction, kindly favour me with a copy of the Holy Quran, which I have been longing for long. (The English translation is required.) Thank­ing you in anticipation.”