Basharaat-E-Ahmadiyya - muslim.org · Basharaat-E-Ahmadiyya An International News Magazine of Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam (Lahore) USA P.O. Box 3370, Dublin, Ohio 43016 U.S.A

Basharaat-E-AhmadiyyaAn International News Magazine of Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam (Lahore) USA

P.O. Box 3370, Dublin, Ohio 43016 U.S.A.Phone 614-873-1030 • Fax: 614-873-1022

Email: [email protected] • Website: www.muslim.orgVol. 2016-2 July 2015 – June 2016

Arabic Translation of Maulana Muhammad Ali’sEnglish Commentary of the Holy Quran is Complete

See story, page 5

Inside:Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Parliament of World Religions . . . . . . . . 18Last Address of the Late Hazrat Ameer, . . Inter-Religious Conference . . . . . . . . . . 22

Dr. Saeed Ahmad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Visit to India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Arabic Translation of Holy Quran . . . . . 5 Work in Egypt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Distribution of German Holy Quran . . 10 Work in Philippines, Singapore andLocal Activities of the USA Jama’at . . . 11 Thailand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312015 Annual Convention . . . . . . . . . . 14 News from Kyrgyzstan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

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society into a just and peace-lovingpeople. The intent of the symposiumwas to remove the misconceptionthat the Holy Prophet waged aggres-sive war and preached violence, andto show how he fostered brother-hood and peace among the warring Arabian tribes, and how by followinghis example, nations may find solu-tions to the problems of war andconflict in our time.

By the Grace of Almighty Allah.We have duplicated this symposiumin the Philippines and Egypt; it hasbeen a huge success in both places.

0ur printing and translation proj-ects are on track. Our project to do-nate the Holy Quran and the Religionof Islam free to professors and li-braries throughout the world con-tinues with the recent free distribu-tion of the Holy Quran in Germany.

The USA Jama’at continues toproject the peaceful and spiritualteachings of the Lahore AhmadiyyaMovement in international forumssuch as the World Parliament of Re-ligions Convention in Salt Lake City,Utah by exhibiting its literature andby speaking at interfaith seminars inParis France.

We thank Almighty Allah for ded-icated workers like Mrs. Samina Ma-lik. She single handedly manages theTranslation and Publication projectsof the USA Jama’at and is responsiblefor attendance at book fairs at homeand abroad. She is responsible formaintaining contact with non-Ah-madi organizations in other coun-tries where she initiates and arrangesjoint conferences and supplies themwith free literature.

At home in the USA, Jama’atmembers Fazeel S Khan, Dr. Muham-mad Ahmad and Lubna Ahmad re-main involved in educating peopleabout Islam locally, by participatingin activities such as lecturing aboutIslam to church groups, attendingmonthly spiritual sharing interfaithprograms, and participating in pro-grams for prisoner rehabilitation.Fazeel is regularly invited by Muslimstudent organizations to give talkson Islamic issues in universities andby University Professors to lectureabout Islam to their students. Fazeelalso participates in a book club groupwhere he is the resource person onIslamic subjects.

Fazeel maintains close ties withother Muslim organizations locallyand nationally. Personal contact andfriendship is extremely important asit allows us to aquaint them with ourview of Islam and help them realizethat we present a most appealing andattractive picture of Islam

One bonus of attending the Lon-don Book Fair was interaction be-tween us and members of the QadianAhmadiyya Jama’at who had an ad-joining booth in the book displaysection. This led to a year-longfriendly and amicable e-mail exchange between Fazeel and an official representative of the QadianAhmadiyya Jama’at regarding the Qadian Jama’at belief that HazratMirza Sahib claimed to be a prophetafter the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

The exchange was approved andsanctioned by Mirza Masroor Ahmad,the Khalifa of the Qadian Jama’at.Fazeel’s masterful replies are excellent

2 BASHARAAT AHMADIYYA NEWS — July 2015 – June 2016

Editorial

THIS BASHAARAAT ISSUE DOCUMENTS

many significant events. Perhaps themost important of these, and onewhich will, inshallah, have a farreaching impact in the Arabic speak-ing Muslim world, is the publicationof the Arabic translation of the Eng-lish commentary in MaulanaMuhammad Ali’s Monumentalwork, the English translation of theHoly Quran.

The strife and bloodshed occur-ring in the middle east is due in partto a wrong interpretation of the HolyQuran and Hadith which promoteswar and hatred; Maulana Muham-mad Ali’s enlightened commentaryis crucial in countering and dis-pelling this toxic ideology.

In a similar vein, the 2015 con-vention of the USA jamaat with itssymposium theme, True Portrait ofthe Holy Prophet Muhammad, was verytimely. It showed how the exemplarycharacter of the Holy Prophet andthe teachings of the Holy Qurantransformed an immoral and violent

Editor: Dr Noman MalikDirector/Treasurer, USA JamaatCirculation: A.A.I.I.L. U.S.A.Production: MEGG EnterprisesNews, letters and views are wel-come, and should be sent to:

The Editor, Basharaat-e-AhmadiyyaP.O. Box 3370Dublin, OH 43016 U.S.A.Phone 614-873-1030Fax 614-873-1022Website www.muslim.orgE-mail [email protected]



give us the strength and ability toachieve this goal.

My Dear Brothers and SistersAssalamo Aliakum wa Rahmatullahiwas Barakatuhu

The USA Jamaat have once againasked me to send a message to beread at their convention. Consider-ing the arduous nature of the task

ON THE OCCASION OF THE ANNUAL

Convention of the USA jamaatBy samina Malik

It was customary for the USA jamaat torequest the late hazrat Ameer, Dr. SaeedAhmad (affectionately known as Jaanji)to send them a message which was readout to the attendees on the occasion oftheir Annual convention and sympo-sium each year. The message reproducedbelow was his last before his passingaway in 1996.

Jaanji is the person who inspired meand the rest of the USA jamaat directorsto get involved in the publication, trans-lation and spread of the Holy Quranand our other jamaat literature.

Just as Maulana Muhammad Ali in hissole recording, a short jumma khutba,laid out succinctly and clearly the objec-tive of the jamaat’s existence and themeans of obtaining it, so does Jaanji dothe same in this short address. MayAlmighty Allah, the most MercifulGrant Jaanji a place in Paradise and

July 2015 – June 2016 — BASHARAAT AHMADIYYA NEWS 3

Last Address of the LateHazrat Ameer, Dr. Saeed Ahmad

of blessed memoryIntroduced by Samina Malik

and in view of the circumstances ofmy poor health, which are wellknown to my friends, I hadexpressed my inability to complywith the request. However, so pro-found was their insistence that I wasleft with no other choice but to givein to their loving and affectionatepressure.

Instead of writing out a lengthymessage, I have decide to write a fewverses of the Holy Quran and conveytheir meanings as is applicable to theprevailing global situation.

13:31 And if there could be a Qurånwith which the mountains were madeto pass away, or the earth were clovenasunder, or the dead were made to speak— nay, the commandment is whollyAllåh’s. Do not those who believe knowthat, if Allåh please, He would certainlyguide all the people? And as for thosewho disbelieve, disaster will not ceaseto afflict them because of what they do,or it will alight close by their abodes,until the promise of Allah come to pass.

explanations and clarifications of theissue of Prophethood. He clearlyshows by quotations from HazratMirza Sahib’s writings how a wronginterpretation of Hazrat Mirza Sahib’suse of the word prophet by QadianJama’at has led to attributing

prophethood to Hazrat Mirza Sahib.We will, inshallah, publish this ex-change as a booklet.

We thank Almighty Allah in allhumility for the opportunities thatHe gives us to serve His Religion, andfor providing us the means to do so

in the form of the invaluable litera-ture produced by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and our elders suchas Maulana Muhammad Ali. MayAlmighty Allah Grant us the strengthand patience to fulfill our commit-ment to the Faith. Ameen!

Surely Allah will not fail in (His) prom-ise.

This first verse which I haveselected is the thirty first verse ofSurah Al Rad Chapter 13 ( The Thun-der)

Al Rad was revealed to the HolyProphet (peace and Blessing of Allahbe upon him) in the last Meccanperiod. While the first part of theverse contains a reference to themagnitude of the opposition whichis likened to a Mountain that con-fronted Islam and Muslims in thosedays, the latter part bears a promisethat all obstacles would be removedand the spiritually dead opponentswould be transformed into devoutbelievers. And indeed, as was wit-nessed by the whole world, not onlythe entire Arabia within the life timeof the Holy Prophet (peace in bless-ings of Allah be upon Him) but alsothe entire world from China in theeast to Spain in the west respondedto the call of Islam within a hundredyears after his death.

My dear friends, the hurdles con-fronting the Muslims today surpassall times hitherto fore in their grav-ity. I find in this verse a glimmer ofhope for Islam. But to achieve thismiracle, we will have to strive to theutmost in spreading the Quran and

the teachings of Islam to every nookand cranny of the World as was doneby the early followers of Islam bothduring and after the life the HolyProphet ( peace and blessing of Allahbe upon him)

41:33 And who is better in speechthan one who calls to Allah and doesgood, and says: I am surely of thosewho submit?

41:34 And not alike are the goodand the evil. Repel (evil) with what isbest, when lo! he between whom andthee is enmity would be as if he were awarm friend.

41:35 And none is granted it butthose who are patient, and none isgranted it but the owner of a mightygood fortune.

This Surah Ha Mim (Chapter 41)was also revealed at Mecca whenopposition to the Holy Prophet(peace and blessing of Allah be uponhim) was very bitter and severe per-secution which culminated in theirfirst flight to Abyssinia had begun.Circumstances of the Muslims todayclosely those at the time of the earlyMakkan period; perhaps only thetormentors and tormented havechanged.

These verses of Surah Hamim arethus as much a source of comfort forus today as they were for our belea-

guered early Muslims of yesteryears.We therefore have every reason to behopeful once again of receiving thegreat good fortune from Allah, butthe same, as has been pointed out inthese verses shall only be granted tothose who do good, repel evil andare patient.

I am convinced that our jamaat isqualified to spread the Light of Islamand to dispel the gloom and darkness which is apparently en -com passing the entire World. I amfully satisfied with the endeavors ofmy friends in North Armerica, whohave within a short span of timedone so much to deliver the messageof Islam all over the World. Those ofyou who are actively involved in thisstupendous work should have thesatisfaction and be grateful to Allahfor being among the chosen onesreferred to by Hazrat Mirza GhulamAhmad Shaib, the founder of theAhmadiyya Movement, in the fol-lowing words in his book Izala-e-Auham:

“… Therefore I suggest thatinstead of these preachers, weshould send literature of a high stan-dard to these (Western) countries. Ifmy jamaat helps me heart and soul,I wish to produce a commentary ofthe Holy Quran, and get it translatedinto English, and send it to thesepeople (of the West). But I muststrongly emphasize that such a workis a task that shall be achieved bymyself and by none other exceptmyself, or by one who is an offshootof mine and is thus included in me”.

My dear brother and sisters, I endthis message with my earnest prayersfor your long and prosperous lifeand for this Convention to succeedin every sense of the word. MayAllah Bless you all Ameen! Dr. Saeed Ahmad President, Ahmadiyya AnjumanIshaat Islam Lahore


Muhammad inWorld ScripturesBy Maulana Abdul Haq Vidyarthi

Translated into french by Taslim-ul-Mahmud, this addsto our growing list of titles byrenowned Muslim authors we have published in French.

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Publisher’s Foreword to the Arabic Translation of the Commentary of the English Translation of the

Holy Quran by Maulana Muhammad Ali

Alhamdulillah! Arabic Translation of Maulana Muhammad Ali’s English

Commentary of the Holy Quran is Complete

It is with great thankfulness to Almighty Allah and with abundant happiness that the USA Jama’at announces the completion of the Arabic translation of Maulana Muhammad Ali’s

English Commentary (Tafsir) of the Holy Quran.

This epoch-making translation has been a labor of love for Professor Hussein Ali, PhD, Head of the Translation Department at American University of Cairo, Egypt. Dr. Hussein

was eminently qualified for this monumental task, and his sincerity of faith and dedication to the religion of Islam has been evident throughout this process.

May Allah, the Most High, bless and reward him for his efforts. Ameen.

The Publisher's Foreword and an abridged version of the speech delivered by Professor Husseinat the USA Jama’at's 2016 Annual Convention are reproduced below:

IT IS WITH SINCERE THANKFULNESS AND

utmost gratitude to Almighty Allah,the Most High, that the USA Jamaatannounces the publication of theArabic translation of the commen-tary in Maulana Muhammad Ali’sEnglish translation and commentaryof the Holy Quran.

This monumental work first pub-lished in 1917 was the first Englishlanguage translation to be widelyavailable in the West. It projectedthe peaceful and tolerant message ofIslam and removed many miscon-ceptions about important topics

such as jihad in Islam, the defensivenature of permissible war, religiousfreedom, Women’s rights, the com-patibility between religion andscience, etc. In doing so, it illustratedhow the Quranic teachings can solvethe problems besetting mankindtoday. In 1951, Maulana Muham-mad Ali revised the translation andcommentary himself, thus furtherensuring the relevancy of theQuranic teachings in the currentpost-World War II modern age.

There has been a great demand fora long time to have Maulana

Muhammad Ali’s English commen-tary made available in Arabic for thebenefit of Arabic speaking people.The delay in satisfying this need wasdue to the difficulty in finding a per-son with the necessary credentials forundertaking this important task. Bythe Grace of Almighty Allah, thisquest ended in 2013 when Mrs. Sam-ina Malik found Dr. Hussein Ali,Professor and Head of the TranslationDepartment at the American Univer-sity of Cairo and Associate Professorof Translation Studies at Helwan Uni-versity, to undertake this work.

Dr. Hussein Ali was eminentlyqualified for this work. He obtainedhis PhD in Translation Studies in ajoint program between Helwan Uni-versity of Egypt and MiddlesexUniversity in UK. He was a Lecturerof Translation Studies in the LondonMetropolitan University, where hetaught literary translation and theo-ries of translation. He also worked asa freelance translator for the BBC.Upon returning to Egypt, he joinedthe American University in Cairo asthe Program Manager of the Transla-tion Program in 2011. Hesubsequently held the posts of theDirector of the Arabic and Transla-tion Studies in 2012, and then

Director of the Languages Depart-ment in 2013. Dr. Ali has laboredlong and hard on this project to pro-duce an excellent translation whichdoes justice to the original. MayAlmighty Allah bless and rewardhim for his dedication and hardwork.

We would also like to thankSheikh Abdul Aziz Najjar of Al-Azhar Cairo Egypt for supervisingthe review of the Hadith referencesin the commentary. Last but notleast, we would like to thank Mrs.Samina Malik for her continued ded-ication to the Lahore AhmadiyyaIslamic Society’s translation projectsin general, and for her exemplary

work in supervising this entire proj-ect and bringing it to a successfulcompletion in particular. We alsonote that the costs associated withthis translation project and its print-ing have been funded by Dr. NomanMalik as sadaqa jaariyah in thenames of his late parents. It is ourearnest prayer to Almighty Allahthat this commentary increases theunderstanding of the Holy Quranamongst the masses so as to bringabout a spiritual healing resulting inpeace to all humanity.

The Publishers,June 2016

Volume One and Volume Two.


IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT,the Merciful. Allah will exalt those of you whobelieve and those of you who aregiven knowledge to high ranks. AndAllah is aware of what you do. Andabove everyone possessed of knowl-edge is the All Knowing.

There is no god but Allah, the Lordof the Mighty Throne, the Lord ofthe heavens and Lord of the earth.May peace be upon the HolyProphet Muhammed, the seal ofprophets, whom Allah has sentwith the final message to mankind.

Three years ago, I started thetranslation of the commentary ofthe Holy Quran by MaulanaMuhammad Ali. Two years prior tothat, I had been studying most of thewell-known Quran interpretationssuch as Ibn Kathir, Qurtubi,Zamakhshari etc., and I want to relaymy impression about these interpre-tations; in other words, what I likedabout them and what I did not.There is no doubt that these inter-pretations were very useful, and theyhelped my understanding of theQuran, particularly when it came tovocabulary which is not originallyArabic. In addition, these interpreta-tions cited many of the HolyProphet’s Hadith which were origi-nally said to explain some verses.More importantly still, theyexplained some of the occasions onwhich certain verses were revealed to

Reflections on my translation of Maulana Muhammad Ali’s Commentary in his English

Translation in the Holy QuranBy Professor Hussein Ali

the Holy Prophet. However, I couldnot understand why these commen-taries contained so many stories,some even contradicting oneanother, when it came to interpret-ing certain verses. Some were evenchildlike and fantastical such asthose related about the “compan-ions of the cave” and “Gog andMagog”.

At that time, I gave up readingany more interpretations. Also atthat time, secular humanists andfreethinkers grew in number and vis-ibility in Egypt. They began to castdoubt on everything religious. I wasconfused for a while, and I could notfind any logical answers when argu-ing with my freethinker colleagues.In addition, terrorism and violencein the Muslim world worsened thesituation as Islam was accused ofbeing violent.

However I never lost my faith inAllah; I never stopped reading theHoly Quran, but I was praying everyday to find answers to the questionsraised all the time by secular human-ists who tried to cast doubt on theHoly Message of Quran.

While I was trying to find my wayout of the darkness of doubt, Ireceived a telephone call from a ladywho asked to meet me. She came thenext day to my university and metwith me for fifteen minutes. Sheasked me if I would be willing totranslate Maulana Muhammad Ali’sCommentary of the Holy Quran intoArabic. Although at that time I was

extremely busy and could barelyfind time for my own readings, Iagreed. She said she wanted it trans-lated within one year. For me, withmy busy schedule this was not pos-sible, and so, I thought perhapsAllah did not want me to do thatwork. I was about to decline, but she,as if she could almost read my mind,continued “but there is no problemif it takes more than one year.”

That lady was Mrs. Samina Malikwhom I like to call Mother Samina,who was speaking earlier today. Sheis indeed an inspiring person, andshe inspired me in many of thethings I do in my life. She came tomy office looking for a translator,and spent fifteen minutes with me,but by the time she departed, she leftbehind her a great deal of inspirationand love. She left behind her a manpraying to God to take him closer tothe truth. Working on that transla-tion has indeed taken me manysteps closer to the truth, to the HolyQuran, to life and to myself.

As a person who works in the fieldof education and as a linguist, I findmyself consciously and uncon-sciously analyzing how peopleprocess information. And I want totell you something about educationin Egypt, maybe the whole Arabworld. In fact, in the Egyptian edu-cational system, we focus more onrote acquiring of knowledge ratherthan on developing skills. Therefore,you find people who memorizeQuran interpretation by heart. They


think that there is some authorityspringing from their knowledge, andfor them as well as for many peopleparticularly when it comes to theHoly Quran interpretation, skills likeanalyzing, criticizing, evaluating etc.do not have any value or merit. Forthem, it is simply knowing that mat-ters rather than knowing how andwhy. As a result, they looked at theinterpretations of the Holy Quran assacred writings themselves. Any

attempt to evaluate or examinethem critically is taken as heresy.

This introduction cannot be com-plete without referring to MaulanaMuhammed Ali’s approach in hiscommentaries. He writes in theintroduction to his Quran transla-tion:

“I must add that the presenttendency of Muslim theologiansto regard the commentaries of the

Middle Ages as the final word onthe interpretation of the HolyQur’an is very injurious and prac-tically shuts out the greattreasures of knowledge which anexposition of the Holy Book inthe new light reveals. A study ofthe old commentators, to ignorewhose great labor would indeedbe a sin, also shows how freelythey commented upon the HolyBook. The great service which

Dr Hussein Aly and Samina holding Volume one and two of the Holy Quran at the USA Convention.


they have done to the cause ofTruth would indeed have beenlost to the world if they hadlooked upon their predecessors asuttering the final word on theexposition of the Holy Qur’an, asmost theologians do today.”

Maulana Muhammed Ali did nottake the final interpretations of pre-vious commentators without criticalthinking. His commentary is in facttraining for readers to think criti-cally. The most significant feature ofhis commentary is that it is writtenin an academic style that keeps a bal-ance between the Holy Quran as aBook of Guidance and the HolyQuran as a Book for contemplation.The commentary addresses themind, the heart and the soul.

In addition, his commentary ismulti-faceted. He carries out linguis-tic analysis to find out the originalmeaning of words; he uses historicaland geographical evidence to sup-port the meaning; and he uses theBible to disambiguate and prove thatQuran is the Final message fromAllah.

I had the chance in my career toexamine various Quran translations:as a scholar, as a supervisor and as ateacher of translation trying to findpractical examples to support theo-ries of translation that we teach inclasses. Taking into considerationthat the Holy Quran is multi-layeredin meaning, and that its style is tooelegant and pure for any translator,I could not find a translation whichis academic enough to support myviews on translation. Most transla-tors realize that Quran translationcannot contain the multi-layeredmeaning of the Holy Quran. Thesolution and even the recommenda-tion of scholars is to convey theintended meaning rather than theliteral meaning. That solution

sounds safe and logical; however; itmakes the meaning shallow andrestricts critical thinking and creativ-ity on the part of the reader incomprehending the Holy Text.

The only translation, I may claim,that kept the richness of the spiritu-ality of the Holy Quran, is MaulanaMuhammad Ali’s. That is due to anumber of features that MaulanaMuhammad Ali introduced in histranslation. First of all, MaulanaMuhammad Ali explains in theintroduction his approach to trans-lating the Holy Quran. In the Prefaceto the Revised Edition, he states

“I have tried to be more faithfulto the Arabic Text than all existingEnglish translations. It will benoticed that additional words asexplaining the sense of the origi-nal have generally been avoided,and where necessary – and thesecases are very few – they are givenwithin brackets. Wherever adeparture has been made from theordinary or primary significanceof a word, reasons for this depar-ture has been given in a footnoteand authorities have been amplyquoted.”

Faithfulness to the Holy Text can-not be achieved by conveying theintended meaning alone, andMaulana Muhammad Ali did notfind that enough. Instead, MaulanaMuhammad Ali gave all necessaryexplanations in the footnotes. Theexplanations are supported byauthorities, references or at leastsound arguments. In addition to thefootnotes, Maulana Muhammad Alicommenced each Chapter withample introduction explaining thedevelopment of the chapter and therelationship among its sections aswell as the relationship between theChapter and the preceding and thefollowing Chapters.

My work on this translation wasindeed a blessing from Allah. Ithelped me to understand what Icould not understand from Arabicreligious literature. In reading manyArabic books, many people findthemselves driven by emotions,mainly fear and love without criti-cally thinking of what they read.With Maulana Muhammad Ali’scalm language, readers are encour-aged to think while they read. I canclaim that this is what we need atthis time in the Arab world. We haveseen the print word as a sacred wordfor too long, and it is time to read lit-erature, particularly religious, thatstimulates thinking and creativity.

Maulana Muhammad Ali, follow-ing in the steps of Hazrat MirzaGhulam Ahmed, has been a greatreformer of his age. In his introduc-tion to the translation, MaulanaMuhammad Ali explained that themiracle of the Holy Quran cannot besolely explained in light of the ele-gance and purity of language. Theuniqueness in form is indeed accom-panied with uniqueness in impact.The Holy Quran has transformed thelives of millions of people. With theintroduction of Maulana Muham-mad Ali’s English Translation andCommentary of the Holy Quran, thetransformation has reached and stillhas to reach the lives of many morepeople. The speakers of Arabic are inneed today more than anytime elsefor the commentary of MaulanaMuhammad Ali. They are in need ofa book that stimulates thinking andrevives spirituality, rather than abook that inspires fear or love.

I have done my best to keep allthe features and the meaning of thetext intact. And I hope the Arabicversion motivates people to exertmore effort to study Islam andreform the religious Islamic dis-course.


United States, South Africa, Australia, Russia and India.Arrangements are also being made for their free distribu-tion in the UK, France and Italy.

Maulana Muhammad Ali’s revised 1951 edition of theEnglish Translation of the Holy Quran was translatedinto German by the USA Jamaat twenty years ago. It wasrecently revised to conform to the new German spellingrules, and advantage was taken at this time to make someminor revisions to further improve the translation. Thisnew edition has been beautifully printed on Bible paperwith gold edges. We contracted with a German shippingcompany to pack and ship the Holy Qurans.

We are very grateful to the Holland Stichting Jamaatand Mr. Shabbier Hoeseni for assistance in arranging forthe distribution of these books.

Mr. Shabbier Hoeseni helped us to obtain theaddresses of professors and libraries and to find a ship-ping company, and Mr. Dost Mohamed, President ofthe Stichting Ahmadiyya Jamaat, facilitated us bring-ing the Quran shipment into the European commonmarket. Mr. Dost Mohamed also very kindly offeredus the facilities of the Stichting Jamaat center forpacking and shipping the German Holy Quran, buton further investigation, it was decided that it wouldbe more convenient and efficient to use a Germanshipping company.

The response from professors and librarians hasbeen very heartening. They have expressed theirthanks and admiration for the copies received,and some have also requested additional copiesfor their colleagues.

Dr. Noman Malik, board member of the USAJamaat, has borne all expenses for printing andshipping the German Holy Quran as sadaqaJaariya for his late parents Mr. Ijaz Malik andMrs. Nasra Malik.

May Almighty Allah Bless and Reward allthose who are participating in this greatjihad.

Ameen!

ALHAMDULILLAH! WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO INFORM YOU THAT

4,000 copies of Maulana Muhammad Ali’s German trans-lation and commentary of the Holy Quran have beendistributed free to professors of religion and theology,university and public libraries in Germany.

This free distribution is part of the USA Jamaat’s proj-ect to distribute free, Maulana Muhammad Ali’s Qurantranslation and his encyclopedic work, Religion of Islam,to professors of religion and theology, and university andpublic libraries in all countries of the world in whose lan-guages we have translated these books.

To date, by the Grace of Almighty Allah, the bookshave been distributed free in the

DER HEILIGE K

ORÅN

mit Deutscher Üb

ersetzung

und Kommentar

Maulana Muhammad Ali

Distribution of the German Holy QuranIn Germany by the USA Jama’at


ALHAMDULILLAH, IN ADDITION TO ITS WORK INTERNATION-ally, the USA Jama’at (which goes by the name of LahoreAhmadiyya Islamic Society) has been very active in vari-ous spheres domestically again this past year.

Church PresentationsFor many years, members of the Lahore AhmadiyyaIslamic Society have been resource people for churcheswanting to provide its members with the opportunity tolearn about Islam. This past year, Fazeel was asked tospeak on two occasions at the First Community Church.The first presentation was on Spiritual Development inIslam and the second was on The True Portrait of ProphetMuhammad. The speaking engagements included manythoughtful questions from church members resulting infruitful discussions.

Fazeel was also requested to be the guest Muslim rep-resentative to a Book Club at a local church. The bookbeing read was God is not One by Stephen Prothero. Fazeelresponded to the chapter on Islam and answered ques-tions from the book club members. Several points madeby Prothero about Islam were commented on and clari-fied to attendees. It was a lively event, and the group wasvery pleased to have a Muslim challenge arguments madeby Prothero and provide a perspective to balance the dis-cussion on various topics related to Islam.

Interestingly, another opportunity has arisen toengage in discussions with members of a church, but thistime through Skype. An individual who attended Fazeel’spresentation on Islam at the Ohio State University TorchClub several years ago moved to Texas. He reached outto Fazeel and explained that members of his new churchhave a very critical view of Islam. He was being inun-dated with articles about Islam being a serious threat toAmericans, and he was unable to respond to many of thearguments being made. Fazeel responded to questionsposed via email, and these responses were forwarded tointerested members of his church. This correspondencepeaked the interest of church members, and they wouldnow like to organize group Skype sessions with Fazeel sothey engage in more fluid and direct discussions.

We are truly grateful for the gracious invitations wereceive from churches that want to learn more aboutIslam and for the opportunity to develop friendly rela-tions with our neighbors.

Multi-Faith ActivitiesOur members continue to be active participants in theHorizon Prison Initiative. As mentioned in previousissues, this organization focuses on providing programsfor prisoners in central Ohio. In addition to providing edu-cational programs – such as offering the opportunity toobtain academic certificates, learn computer skills, acquireconflict resolution skills, etc. – Horizon also caters to thespiritual needs of inmates. This holistic approach offersinmates opportunities to not only obtain practical skillsassisting in their reintegration into society when released,but also to lead healthy lives with others and develop apositive attitude towards life. The program has beenextremely successful, with the recidivism rate of partici-pants dropping to about a quarter of that of the generalinmate population. Dr. Mohammad Ahmad and Sr. LubnaAhmad regularly attend correctional facilities and meetwith Muslim inmates. They offer Islamic education andour Jama’at literature, and also are available for inmatesto talk with and receive good advice. Fazeel is on the orga-nization’s board of directors and also provides aninteractive class to inmates on Spiritual Development froman Islamic perspective. This class includes a lecture, a smallgroup workshop and time for questions and answers.

Our members also regularly participate in the monthlySpiritual Sharing Program hosted by the Interfaith Associ-ation of Central Ohio, held at the main downtown libraryin Columbus, Ohio. Members of different faiths and tradi-tions participate. The atmosphere is extremely cordial, withthe purpose of promoting respect, tolerance, mutual learn-ing and understanding. Topics ranging from respect forparents to the existence and attributes of God are discussed.Dr. Mohammad and Sr. Lubna Ahmad have been attendingthese meetings regularly for the past five years. Many atten-dees have benefited from our participation, gaining a muchbetter understanding of the true teachings of Islam.

Local Activities of the USA Jama’at


Muslim Student Association (MSA)For the third consecutive year, Fazeel S. Khan was thekeynote speaker for an annual event hosted by the Mus-lim Students Association (MSA) at Otterbein University.Two years ago the new MSA at Otterbein University wasformed and its inaugural event focused on educating stu-dents and faculty on the five pillars of Islam. Last year, theevent focused on the topic Diversity in Islam. This year, thetheme was based on Interfaith relations, in particular theconnection between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Theprogram included a keynote address by Fazeel, a presenta-tion from a Professor of Religious Studies on Christianity,a panel discussion in which questions were fielded fromthe audience of over 85 students and faculty members,and a dinner in which middle-eastern food was served.The event was a wonderful opportunity to share informa-tion about Islam to others at the university and dispelcommon misunderstandings and unfounded stereotypes.

Engagement with American MuslimsThe Lahore Ahmadiyya Islamic Society also engages withother American Muslims in various ways. It regularly co-

sponsors events for the local chapter of the Council onAmerican Islamic Relations (CAIR), the country’s largestMuslim civil rights group, for a Ramadan iftar and an

Fazeel with members of MSA at Otterbein University

MSA at Otterbein University event dinner

Fazeel with Madam Secretary, Madeleine Albright


annual year-in-review event. We are also invited toevents sponsored by the Islamic Society of North Amer-ica (ISNA) and engage in discussions with its leadershipabout LAIS’ beliefs (in contrast to those of the QadianJamaat) and its work here in America and abroad.

This past year, Fazeel was also invited to attend a Con-gressional Leadership Conference for American Muslimsin Washington, DC. Approximately 15 other AmericanMuslims were invited to this event, hosted by the Dem-ocratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Fazeel hadthe pleasure of dining with Madam Secretary, MadeleineAlbright, and was able to speak with her about LAIS’

work. Fazeel was also able to speak with several currentmembers of Congress about the importance of LAIS’work in contributing to dismantling the theology uponwhich many violent extremists base their cause.

Fazeel also had the pleasure of being invited to a din-ner for Imam Abdul Rauf while he was visitingColumbus, Ohio. Imam Rauf is a well-known author onIslam and the West. He is a passionate activist for improv-ing relations between western countries and the Muslimworld. He follows a Sufi theology and advocates a spiri-tual and inspiring understanding of Islam in his writingsand lectures. Imam Rauf was very pleased to meet Fazeeland learn of his connection with publishing MaulanaMuhammad Ali’s translation and commentary of theHoly Quran. He raved about Maulana Muhammad Ali’stranslation, and stated it was, in his opinion, the besttranslation of the Quran in the English language.

Friendly Discussions with Qadian JamaatAs reported in previous issues of Basharaat-e-Ahmadiyya,the USA Jama’at’s participation in the London Book Fairin 2013 led to developing friendly relationships withsome members of the Qadian Jamaat who were also host-ing a booth there. This provided us with the opportunityto have informative and civil discussions about the rea-sons for the split in the Movement and the beliefs heldby Hazrat Mirza Sahib.

Later, we received correspondence from leading mem-bers of the Qadian Jamaat stating they would like tocontinue these discussions via email and title the set ofcorrespondences A Peaceful Talk. Certainly, discussionsbetween members of the two Jama’ats have been takingplace on an informal basis for many years, especiallysince internet use has become so prevalent. However,what distinguishes these discussions from others, is thatthe members of the Qadian Jama’at engaged in this dis-cussion have formal endorsement to do so from MirzaMasroor Ahmad Sahib (the khalifa of the Qadian Jamaat).In fact, Mirza Masroor Ahmad Sahib has advised partici-pating members which topics to discuss. Fazeel S. Khanand Dr. Noman Malik have engaged in this discussion viaemail correspondence for over two years. Masha Allah,the discussions have resulted in understanding in variousareas of common ground and clarified other issues,which we believe will serve as a valuable educational toolfor all Ahmadis. The email correspondence has beencompiled in an electronic file, available to anyone uponrequest. The real success through this process, though, isthe illustration it provides of how such topics may be dis-cussed in a respectful and considerate manner.

Fazeel with Congressman Keith Ellison

Fazeel with Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf


THE LAHORE AHMADIYYA ISLAMIC SOCI-ETY (USA JAMAAT) HELD another verysuccessful annual convention inColumbus, Ohio from August 14-16.

Prior to the convention Fazeel S.Khan prepared a beautiful invitationdetailing the symposium’s topic andits importance in these times.

The convention was attended bymembers and guests from the USA,Nigeria, Canada and Austraia.

The convention theme was theTrue portrait of the Holy ProphetMuhammad. This theme was chosento remove the widespread miscon-ception about the life and characterof the Holy Prophet, that he and thereligion he founded were violent andsensual. The objective of the themewas to show how the Holy Prophet,through his highly moral and spiri-tual character and the teaching ofthe Holy Quran, transformed awhole nation steeped in immoralityand sin into a pure and just society.It was hoped that people would be

Convention audience.

inspired and encouraged to study thelife of the Holy Prophet and to seek,in his preaching and actions, a solu-

tion to the wars and violence plagu-ing the world in our modern times.

The convention began with the

2015 Annual Conventionof the USA Jama’at


Convention audience.

Jumma Prayers in which Mr. DeanSadr-ud-din Sahukhan delivered aninspiring khutba. In the Fridayevening session, inspiring and educa-tional speeches were delivered bymembers and guests.

Main symposiumThe main symposium, True Por-

trait of the Prophet Muhammad washeld on Saturday August 15. Thesymposium program is reproducedon page 17.

The guests and members thor-oughly enjoyed the lectures, andmany expressed their thanks directlyto Fazeel.

The session of speeches continuedon Saturday evening after a delicious

Sadr-ud-din Sahukhan delivering the lecture.

Professor Michael Birkel delivering a“Message of Understanding”.

Dr. Mohammad Ahmad delivering the lecture.

Fazeel S. Khan Esq. delivering the lecture.

Dr. Noman Malik delivering the lecture.

dinner. The day ended with com-bined Isha and Maghrib prayers inwhich thanks were offered toAlmighty Allah for a very successfulsymposium.

Children and Youth ProgramThe activities of the last day of the

convention, began with the childrenand youth program conducted byZainib Ahmad and AyeshaSahukhan. As always, the audiencegreatly enjoyed the program andwere very impressed by the enthusi-asm and knowledge displayed by thechildren.

Appeal for fundsThe children and youth program

was followed by the fund raising ses-sion conducted by Samina Malik.She made a stirring appeal for fundsto accomplish the all-important mis-sion of the Lahore AhmadiyyaMovement to carry the peaceful andcaring message of Islam to all the


Malaika Sahukhan.Aafia Ahmad. Alishba Sahukhan.

Laila DillardSamina Malik makes an appeal forfunds.

nations in the world. The membersresponded generously. Approxi-mately $120,000 were raised in ashort time. Alhamdollilah!

The convention ended with a pic-nic in a local park.

Members are encouraged toattend these annual conventions

with their families. The spiritualbenefits of mingling and prayingtogether with people dedicated tothe service of Islam and theAhmadiyya Movement has a pro-found effect on one’s owncommitment to Islam and the Move-ment, increasing and deepeningone’s commitment to the faith.

�


The True Portrait ofProphet Muhammad

Presented by Lahore Ahmadiyya Islamic Society

Saturday, August 15, 2015

10:00 am: Welcome / Quran Recitation

10:10 am: Muhammad, the Final Prophet – An introduction to Prophet Muhammadfrom a Muslim perspective, and a review of how others viewed him throughthe ages. FAZEEL S. KHAN, ESQ.

10:30 am: A Message of Understanding – A talk on the need for mutual respect andunderstanding in interfaith relations. PROF. MICHAEL BIRKEL

10:45 am: Keynote Address: The Life of Prophet Muhammad – A narrative ofProphet Muhammad’s life, and a response to common criticisms madeagainst him. DR. NOMAN MALIK

12:00 pm: Lunch – Provided, catered by Embassy Suites

1:00 pm: Youth Presentations – Short presentations by Muslim youth comprisinganecdotes from the life of Prophet Muhammad.

1:10 pm: Freedom of Opinion in Islam – A discussion on the concept of freedom ofopinion in Islam and the lessons taught by Prophet Muhammad on how torespond to abuse and ridicule. SADAR-UD-DEAN SAHUKHAN, ESQ.

1:35 pm: Question/Answer Session and Panel Discussion – An opportunity forattendees to ask questions and initiate topics for discussion.

2:10 pm: The Significance of “Ahmadiyya” – Closing remarks on the significance ofthe name “Ahmadiyya” as a call to restore the true character of ProphetMuhammad. DR. MOHAMMED AHMAD

And we have not sent thee (O Muhammad) but as a mercy to the nationsHoly Quran 21:107

Certainly you have in the Messenger of God an excellent exemplarHoly Quran, 33:21

And surely thou (O Muhammad) hast sublime moralsHoly Quran, 68:4

Conference program.


THE LAHORE AHMADIYYA ISLAMIC SOCIETY (USA JAMAAT) PAR-ticipated in the convention of The Parliament of theWorld’s Religions held in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA fromOctober 15-19 2015. Fazeel, Noman and I attended theevent.

The Parliament of World Religions is a well-known andinfluential interfaith organization, the origins of whichcan be traced to a meeting held in Chicago in 1893 underthe name of the World’s Parliament of Religions. The goalof that initial meeting was to promote interfaith under-standing. At that meeting, Islam was represented by

Parliament of World Religions ConventionOctober 15-19, 2015 — Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

By Samina Malik

Outside the Convention Center.

Russell Webb, an American convert and the formerAmbassador to the Philippines. Mr. Webb had convertedto Islam after corresponding with Hazrat Mirza GhulamAhmad.

A hundred years later another conference celebratingthe centenary of the founding of the organization washeld in Chicago in 1993. The name of the organizationwas changed to The Parliament of the World’s Religions.The Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam Lahore USA par-ticipated in that convention by exhibiting its literatureat a display booth.


At the current interfaith convention in Salt Lake City,we knew people would be seeking information about different faiths. We required a double booth to accom-modate all our English and translated literature.

By the Grace of Almighty Allah, over 1,000 copies ofour booklets, Islam the Religion of Humanity, The Prophet

of Islam, Message of Peace and The Lahore Ahmadiyya Move-ment were distributed.

We also took hundreds of copies of The Holy Quran andthe Religion of Islam for free distribution. Towards the endof the conference all the books were completely distrib-uted. We enjoyed frequent opportunities to discuss Islam

Double booth in central area of convention hall.

Dr. Noman Malik and Sr. Samina Malik setting up the booth.Fazeel S. Khan and Dr. Noman Malik setting up the booth.

Mike Ghouse (Muslim interfaith leader) visiting our booth; at left with Dr. Noman Malik and at right, speaking with Fazeel.


Prof. Michael Birkel visiting our booth. Buddhists interested in Hazrat Mirza Sahib’s biography.

Fazeel and Samina speaking with Senior U.S. Foreign Service Officer (also former Public Affairs Counsellor at American Embassyof Pakistan) about Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement.


and the Ahmadiyya Movement with people of differentfaiths who visited our booth.

Fazeel also attended many of the lectures and was ableto present a set of the books, The Holy Quran translationand The Religion of Islam to lecturers, and inform themabout the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement and the workwe are doing in promoting a tolerant and peaceful Islam.

The importance of large interfaith gatherings such asthis in promoting peace and harmony among all peoplecannot be overstated.

The attending Sikh organization gave a practical exam-ple of generosity and charity at the event by providingfree lunch for convention attendees. Almost 5,000 peoplewere fed daily. May Allah Taala reward them for this actof hospitality and generosity.

We thank Almighty Allah for the opportunity Heafforded us at this convention to present the tolerant andcompassionate teachings of Islam to help achieve thecommon goal of world peace.

Noman and Fazeel discussing our literature with attendees.

Fazeel with attendees from South Africa.Our Quran translation/commentary displayed at interfaithscripture table.


SAMINA AND I TOOK PART IN AN INTERFAITH CONFERENCE HELD

in Paris July 1 - 3, 2016.The event, hosted by the Centre Vedantique Ramakr-

ishna took place at its beautiful campus located in theoutskirts of Paris. The theme of the conference was“What Can We Do For Mankind”.

Samina and I have known the head of the center,Swami Ji Veetamohananda for several years, and havepreviously attended interfaith conferences at the centre.We have been acutely impressed by Swamiji’s sincerity,humility and dedication to interfaith dialogue and reli-gious tolerance.

About 150 people attended the conference. Partici-pants included Christians of various denominations,Muslims, Jews, Buddhist monks and nuns from France,Austria, Germany, UK and USA.

All the speakers gave very informative and inspiringlectures. The conference participants were truly pleasedto hear Samina on both days. Samina’s lecture on Signif-

Inter-religious ConferenceReport on Conference in Paris, France on “What Can We Do For Mankind”

By Noman Malik

Swami Ji Veetamohananda.

Center for the Vedantique Ramakrishna, France.


icance of Fasting in Islam was especially appreciated as itwas new to many people. She also illuminated the prob-lems in the world today and how we could help to stopacts of violence. In addition, we translated Samina’s lec-ture into French and distributed copies among theaudience.

We had made arrangements through Brother DaoudBoussin of the French Lahore Ahmadiyya Jamaat to ship500 French booklets of Islam the Religion of Humanity, TheProphet of Islam and Message of Peace for free distribution

at the conference. The USA Jamaat has printed andstocked most of our French titles with Brother Daoud inBrittany, France. The entire stock of booklets were distrib-uted among conference participants who expressed theirthanks for the informative literature.

The center has guest rooms to accommodate about100 people and a large conference hall. Inshallah, theUSA Jamaat will be holding a conference in the center onthe Holy Prophet Muhammad with the theme: True Por-trait of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

Noman Malik addressing the audience.

Samina addressing the audience on the first day.


Conference audience.

Sheikha Nur addressing the audience.

Brother A.S. Hoeseni and Brother Nur Sar-dar of the Stichting Jamaat have alsoattended interfaith conferences at the centerwith us.

Brother Daoud was in Paris that weekendto attend a conference of the Ministry ofInterior and French Islamic Committee. Hehad been invited as a Muslim representativeof the Brittany area to talk about the situa-tion of Islam in France. He very graciouslytook time off to come and meet us for a fewhours on Sunday at the Interfaith Confer-ence.


Audience at the conference.

Samina and Noman interview for the radio programme.

Samina with Sheikha Nur and staff.Samina addressing the audience on the second day.


Conference participants (with speakers shown in oval insets).


It was a pleasure to meet the delegates, and we had ter-rifically productive and positive interactions with them.Inshallah, we will be visiting the Turkish delegation’scenter in Istanbul in the coming months. We were alsoinvited by two religious orders, one in Germany andother in France, to come and speak to them about Islamand interfaith cooperation.

The center has a radio talk show in which Religioussubjects are discussed. Samina and I were interviewed for20 minutes about Holy Prophet Muhammad and LahoreAhmadiyya Islamic Society and our efforts to present thetrue enlightened and peaceful teachings of Islam.

Two months prior to the conference, we visitedSwamiji at the center to make arrangements to ship theFrench Holy Quran and The Religion of Islam from the cen-ter to libraries, universities, theology and Islamic Studiesprofessors in France. We had discussed the transport ofthe books and their storage in the center prior to packingand shipping. Swamiji had not only graciously agreed to

provide us the facilities for packing and shipping thebooks, but he had also offered to help us in preparing thepackages for shipping.

We thank Almighty Allah for people such as Swamijiwho open their hearts to invite people of different reli-gions to propagate what is good for mankind from theircenter. May Allah Taala reward him for his good deeds.

The program of the Conference is given below:

Conference Theme:WHAT CAN WE DO FOR THE WORLD

FRIDAY JULY 2, 201616:30 Welcome of participants19:30 Dinner20:30 Meditative chants for peace and harmony with

Swami Veetamohananda22:00 Iftar Dinner and Prayer for Muslims

SATURDAY JULY 2, 20166:00 Vedantic Meditation7:00 Protestant Worship8:00 Breakfast9:15 Opening - Presentation - Swami Veetamonhanada9:30-10:15 First Panel discussion on the subject: Which spiritual or religious practices are important?First Panel:Pere Pierre-Fancois Bethune, Sour Marrie Pinlou, FrereBenoit Billot, Sour Changiac Nghiem, Pasteur FredericFournier, Sheikha Nur Artiran 10:15-10:30 Break10:30-11:45 Second Panel on the subject aboveDr. Noman Malik, Venerable Gonsar Tulku Rinpotche,Rabbin Gabriel Haggai, Sour Marrie Pinlou, Pere Pierre-Fancois Bethune, Frere Benoit Billot, Swami Veetamonhanada12:00-14:00 LunchWhat can we do for the world today?14:00-14:45 Speech by Sheikha Nur Artiran15:00 Second Panel discussion subject: How do we Apply these Religious practices in daily LifeDiscussion by Panel One Sour Marrie Pinlou, Pere Pierre- Fancois Bethune, FrereBenoit Billot, Chan Giac Nghiem, Pasteur FredericFournier, Venerable Gonsar Tulku Rinpotche, SheikhaNur Artiran16:30 BreakDiscussion by Panel Two16:30-17:15Samina Malik, Rabbin Gabriel Haggai, Sour Marrie Pinlou, Pere Pierre- Fancois Bethune, Frere Benoit Billot,Swami Veetamonhanada.17:30-18:15 Speech by Venerable Gonsar Tulku Rinpotche19:30 Dinner22:00 Iftar Dinner and Prayers for Muslims

Iftar food.

Samina with the conference speaker.


Samina with Daoud Boussin and Noorhani's children. Daoud, Noorhani and children at the conference.

SUNDAY JULY 3, 20166:00 Vedantic Meditation 7:00 Protestant Service8:00 Breakfast9:30-10:15 Speech by Pere Pierre-Fancois Bethune10:30-12:00 Ritual Swami Veetamonhanada12:00 Lunch Break14:00-14:45 Speeh by Mrs Samina Malik Significance of

Fasting15:00 First Panel discussion: Subject Man and NaturePere Christian Delorme, Soeur Chan Giac Nighiem,Sheikha Nur Artiran, Pastour Frederic Fournier, Dr.Noman Malik16:30-17:15 Second Panel DiscussionVenerable Gonsar Tulku Rinpotche, Rabbin GabrielHaggai, Pere Michel Saulnier, Swami Veetamonhanada17:30-18:15 Pere Christian Delorme18:30 Dinner 22:00 Dinner and Prayer for Muslims.

MONDAY JULY 4, 20166:00 Vedantic Meditation7:00 Eucharistic Celebration8:00 Breakfast9:30-10:15 Conference of Father Pierre-François Bethune10:15 Break10:30 Vedic Ritual: Homa fire with Swami

Veetamonhanada12:00 Lunch14:00-14:45 Conference: What can we do for the worldtoday?Dr. Noman & Samina Malik (with translation)15:00 Session with all stakeholders on the theme: Man

and Nature15:00-16:00 Part 116:00 Break – Tea16:30-17:15 Part 217:30-18:15 Father Christian Delorme Conference18:15 Common Prayer18:30 End


IN MARCH 2016, NOMAN AND I FLEW TO

DELHI, INDIA IN CONnection with theprinting, multimedia and translationprojects which we were planning toundertake in the coming year.

In Delhi, we met with GowsiaSaleem, the daughter of Mr.Bashaarat Saleem of the JammuJamaat. Gowsia is a dedicated andsincere young Ahmadi currentlycompleting her University studies inDelhi. She is a very intelligent andcapable young woman, eager to helpspread the correct peaceful and tol-erant message of Islam aspropounded by the LahoreAhmadiyya Movement. We hope,inshallah, to work closely with herin our propagation efforts in India.

Mr. Abdul Hafeez, Mr. BashaaratSaleem and other members of theLahore Ahmadiyya Jamaat in Jammuare committed to the mission of theJamaat to spread the true peacefuland tolerant teachings of Islam inIndia. To help them in this nobleventure, the USA Jamaat is sendingthem 1500 copies of our free litera-ture, Islam the Religion of Humanity,The Prophet of Islam and the Messageof Peace, 500 Bayan-ul-Quran and 200English Holy Quran.

While we were in Delhi, we cameacross a newspaper article about awell-known Muslim women’s rightsadvocate fighting for the rightsaccorded to Muslim women in Islam—especially in divorce cases. I foundout that she lived in Lucknow andmanaged to contact her by phone. Iinformed her about our Islamicpropagation work in India andoffered to help her by supplying her

Visit to IndiaBy Samina Malik

with literature about Islam. She wasvery interested in our work, andinvited us to visit her in Lucknow.

The next morning we flew to Luc-know and met with both her andher husband. We had dinner at theirhouse, and during our discussions,we agreed to supply her with Bayan-ul-Quran, The Urdu translation ofthe Holy Quran, and the bookletsIslam the Religion of Humanity, theProphet of Islam, and Message of Peacefor free distribution. Inshallah, wewill keep in contact with her to helpher in her efforts to obtain justice forMuslim women in India.

The next morning we flew toChennai and met with the team inthe software company which was incharge of designing the app for theEnglish holy Quran. We spent sev-

eral days with them reviewing theprogress of the work, and makingsure that the Arabic text of the holyQuran was properly inserted. Al-hamdulillah! The work is nowcomplete.

As we had used a new computergenerated typeset of the holy QuranArabic text, we decided to have itreviewed by competent scholars atAl-Azhar Al-Sharif in Egypt for accu-racy. As soon as the text is approved,the app will be ready for distribu-tion.

We thank Almighty Allah for themany opportunities He has providedus to further the cause of Islam inIndia, and pray for continuingadvancements in this most impor-tant region.

Projects are waiting.

Waiting for you.

Make a contribution to the great peaceful Jihad today.

Help bring the message of Islam and the Holy ProphetMuhammad to every corner of the World.

Donations may be sent to AAIIL USAP.O.Box 3370, Dublin, Ohio, 43016 USA..

[email protected]



SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR WE

HAVE MADE SEVERAL trips to Cairoregarding our translation and publi-cation projects, and we have heldtwo conferences in Cairo, one on theHoly Prophet Muhammad and theother on Hazrat Ayesha.

Cairo Conference, January 9: The True Portrait of the Prophet

In January 2016, Dr. Ahmad,Lubna Ahmad, Fazeel S. Khan,Noman and I held a conference onthe Holy Prophet Muhammad enti-tled The True Portrait of the ProphetMuhammad. Details of the eventwhich have been reported inBashaaraat-e-Ahmadiyya can beaccessed at www.muslim.org

Cairo Conference, April: Marriage Age of Hazrat Ayesha

In April 2016, Noman and I flewto Cairo where Noman was sched-uled to deliver a lecture on themarriage age of Hazrat Ayesha.Sheikh Ala had requested Nomandeliver this lecture in a meeting ofthe Sufi Sheikhs. The lecture washeld at the conference hall in SheikhAla’s center.

We had made arrangements tohave the speech translated simulta-neously into Arabic for those peoplewho could not understand English.The lecture notes and the PowerPoint slides were also translated intoArabic and distributed among theaudience.

In his speech, Noman proved, onthe basis of the Holy Quran and theHadith, that Hazrat Ayesha hadreached the age of majority at thetime of her marriage to the Holy

Work in EgyptBy Samina Malik

Dr. Noman Malik with Sheikh Alaa and Sheikh Bastiwisy.

Prophet. The lecture was very wellreceived by the audience.

Translation and Printing Projects:

Our translation and publicationprojects are doing very well by theGrace of Almighty Allah.

The Arabic translation of MaulanaMuhammad Ali’s footnotes from hisEnglish Translation and Commen-tary of the Holy Quran waspublished as two volumes in Augustthis year. Please see page 5 for detailsof this important event.

More than 30,000 copies of booksin Arabic authored by MaulanaMuhammad Ali and Hazrat MirzaGhulam Ahmad were printed anddistributed in Egypt last year by theUSA Jama’at.

The Arabic translations of two

other important works have alsobeen published this year. These areThe Ideal Prophet by Khwaja Kamal-ud-din and Muhammad in WorldScriptures by Maulana Abdul HaqVidhyarthi. With the addition ofthese two books, we have now pub-lished 18 titles, authored mainly byHazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad andMaulana Muhammad Ali, in Arabic.

The Arabic text for the app for theEnglish Holy Quran is now in thefinal phases of checking by Qaris inAl-Azhar, and as soon as that check-ing is completed and the text isapproved, we will insert it in the app— which will then be ready for dis-tribution.

We thank Almighty Allah for theopportunities He has provided us forserving Islam and the AhmadiyyaMovement in Egypt.



NOMAN AND I VISITED THE LAHORE

AHMADIYYA ISLAMIC SOCIety Center inCagayan de Oro, Philippines fromMarch 11-20, 2016. By the Grace ofAlmighty Allah, the Jama’at is doingwell.

Sister Nena Mendoza is doing anexcellent job of managing the Anju-man’s affairs, and Brother Jafar andhis family who stay at the centertake good care of the facility.

Educational activities at the Cen-ter include regular Sunday classes inwhich Noman gives a weekly dars ofthe Holy Quran and lectures onIslam and the Ahmadiyya Move-ment, via skype.

It was our pleasure to meet mem-bers of the Movement in Cagayan deOro.

We visited the Center in theevenings daily, performing ourMaghrib and Isha prayers with themembers, and holding informal dis-cussions with them about Islam andthe Ahmadiyya Movement. In oneof these sessions, Noman explainedIslam to a group of engineering col-lege students who had come for a

group study session with Brother Jaf-far.

True Concept of Jihad in IslamConference

Sister Nena organized a confer-ence on Saturday March 14, whichwas attended by about 60 people, a

mix of Muslims and Christiansincluding students from the Engi-neering College invited by BrotherJafar.

The program began with a Quranrecitation by Brother Jafar. SisterNena, who was conducting the con-ference, introduced the speakers and

Dr. Noman Malik addressing the audience at the conferenc in Cagayan de Oro.

Mrs. Samina Malik addressing the audience.

Sister Nena Mendosa welcoming gueststo the Cagayan conference.

Brother Jaffar reciting from the HolyQuran.

Work in Philippines, Singapore and ThailandBy Samina Malik

gave a brief account of the Center’sactivities. Noman, who was themain speaker, spoke about the trueconcept of Jihad in Islam, and I gavean account of our latest work inEgypt and other places and ourprogress in the translation and pub-lication fields. The lectures werefollowed by a question and answersession in which students partici-pated enthusiastically and expressedtheir appreciation for Noman’sanswers.

Vist to CebuThe day after the conference we

flew to Cebu, where Professor Espir-itu had arranged for Noman and I todeliver lectures to two groups of hisstudents, one in the morning andthe other in the afternoon. The topic


Audience and participants at the Cagayan conference.

Samina and Neena in the LahoreAhmadiyya Mosque, Philippines.

Our books displayed at the Lahore Ahmadiyya Library inCagayan de Oro.

Noman giving Jummah sermon at theCagayan Philippine Center.

Sister Samina with Ladies of theLahore Ahmadiyya in Philippines.

Brother Jaffar’s children, youngest Lahore Ahmadies.


of Noman’s lecture to both groupswas Islam and World Peace. In the sec-ond session, I also addressed thestudents. I spoke about the work wewere doing world-wide in propagat-

ing the correct peaceful and tolerantinterpretation of Islam. The secondlecture was also attended by a visit-ing professor from Canada whoexpressed his appreciation for the

work we are doing.We also met with Professor

Madrelina who is translatingMaulana Muhammad Ali’s EnglishTranslation and Commentary into

Prof. Henry Gaffar Espiritu and Nomanat the University.

Above, and below: Noman giving the lecture to the university students in Cebu.

Noman and Samina with Prof. Espiritu and his students.

Bisayan. By the Grace of AlmightyAllah more than half of the transla-tion has been completed.

Alhamdolillah! The translation ofMaulana Muhammad Ali’s EnglishTranslation and Commentary intoTagalog by Professor Rene Oliver isnow complete. After proofreadingthe translation, inshallah, we willprint it. The translation work hasbeen funded by Fazeel S Khan Esq.and Dr. Ayesha Khan. May AlmightyAllah bless and reward them.

SingaporeFrom the Philippines we flew to

Singapore, where we met with type-setters to review final proofs of theChinese Holy Quran translation. Wealso discussed the possibility of put-ting the translation into E-book andmobile app formats. Dr. MohammadAhmad and Sister Lubna Ahmadhave provided funds for the transla-

tion of the Chinese Holy Quran.May Almighty Allah reward andbless them funds for the translationof the the Chinese Holy Quran andApp.

Thailand From Singapore we flew to Thai-

land. We met with the professorsdoing our translation work and dis-cussed the project of our books beingtranslated into the Thai language.We also discussed ways in which wecould distribute the books whichhave been translated into Thai.

We are grateful to Almighty Allahfor giving us the opportunity to fur-ther the spread of Islam in SouthEast Asia.


NOMAN AND I VISITED KYRGYZSTAN IN

April 2015 and met with Mr. TursunBey and his wife, who was ill at thattime. Although she was not feelingwell, she still came out to have din-ner with us.

Mr. Tursun Bey does much toimprove the condition of poor anddisadvantaged in Kyrgyzstan. He isparticularly concerned about thewelfare of orphans. On my previousvisits to Kyrgyzstan, I accompaniedhim several times to distribute foodto needy families and to visit womenprisoners in the Bishkek prisons.

Mr.Tursun Bey was also very help-ful in distributing the Russian HolyQuran we sent to Kyrgyzstan. Inshal-

Sister Samina addressing the students.

lah we hope to co-operate with himto promote a peaceful and tolerantIslam in Kyrgyzstan, and will besending him another shipment ofthe Russian Holy Quran for free dis-tribution in the near future.

Mr. Tursun Bey Bakir Uulu of Kyrgyzstan visits Columbus Ohioin July 2015

Mr. Tursun Bey, and his daughterTakhmina visited us in Columbus inJuly 2015 and spent several days atour home as our guests.

Mr.Tursun Bey had been visitingWashington DC as a member of aparliamentary delegation. He is themember of the Kyrgyzstan parlia-

ment and leader of the ModerateMuslim Party of Free Kyrgyzstan. Heis co-chair of the Muslim Union ofKyrgyzstan and former KyrgyzAmbassador to Malaysia. He was thefirst Ombudsman in Kyrgyzstanfrom 2002- 2008, and leader of theKyrgyz opposition from 1991-2011.

Before returning to Kyrgyzstanfrom Washington DC, he made aspecial trip to visit us. He was accom-panied by his charming daughterTakhmina who was doing an intern-ship in political science inWashington, DC. I have known Mr.Tursun Bey and his daughter for thepast 12 years.

We enjoyed their company

News from KyrgyzstanBy Samina Malik


immensely. It was the month ofRamadan and we had many interest-ing and detailed conversations withhim about the need for spreadingthe correct peaceful Islam in theworld.

During his stay in Columbus, DrAhmad, Noman and I took Mr. Tur-sun Bey and Takhmina to see the

Toledo Mosque. Fazeel arranged for Mr Tursun Bey

to meet representatives of the localchapter of CAIR (Council of Ameri-can Islamic Relations). Mr. TursunBey was very impressed by the workwhich CAIR was doing in Ohio.

Mr. Tursun Bey also addressed thecongregation at Noor Masjid, a

major Islamic Center in Columbus.This visit was also arranged byFazeel.

He also visited the Niagara Foun-dation, a Turkish Organization inColumbus. After his four day stay inColumbus, Mr. Tursun Bey andTakhmia left Columbus for Wash-ington DC on their way back toKyrgyzstan.

Demise of Mrs. Tursun Bey BakirUulu April 2016

It is with a heavy heart we reportof the demise of Mrs. Tursun Bey, thewife of Mr.Tursun Bey Bakir Uulu.She passed away in April 2016 inBishkek, Kyrgyzstan after a long boutwith cancer. Inna Lillahi wa innailaihi Raajioon. We pray to AlmightyAllah to Grant her paradise andGrant Sabr to her family to bear thisgreat loss. She was 50 years old andleaves behind three children. I hadmet her several times on my visits toKyrgyzstan and had always beenimpressed by her friendly and gra-cious personality.

Noman and Samina having a dinner meeting with Mr. Tursun Bey and his contacts.

Mr. Tursun Bey, Noman and Samina visit the Toledo Mosque.

Documents

Basharaat-E-Ahmadiyya - muslim.org · Basharaat-E-Ahmadiyya An International News Magazine of Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam (Lahore) USA P.O. Box 3370, Dublin, Ohio 43016 U.S.A