On 14 February 2021, members of The Gambia’s national amila were blessed with the opportunity of meeting Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, through a virtual mulaqat.
Members of the amila gathered in Baitul Salam mosque. After conveying his salaam, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa led everyone in silent prayer, after which the amila members had the opportunity to introduce themselves, their roles and the work assigned to them.
Naib Amir 2 was the first to introduce himself. Whilst explaining his duties, he said that he assisted the amir and carried out any work and errands he was assigned.
Next was the principal of the Nusrat Senior Secondary School. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked how many students were currently studying in the school, to which he responded by saying that currently, there were 2,503 students. Huzooraa said, “You are very precise in giving the number, masha-Allah!”
The principal added that in The Gambia, 305 candidates scored nine credits and 132 came from Nusrat Senior Secondary School. Hearing this, Huzooraa remarked, “Masha-Allah!”
Subsequently, whilst addressing the principal of Masroor Senior Secondary School, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked about the students and their strengths and results. Replying to Huzooraa, the principal said that there were 1,367 students studying in the school and added that it was the second-best school in The Gambia, after Nusrat Senior Secondary School, with a total of more than 40 students who scored 9 credits.
Next to present his role and duty was naib amir 3, who was also serving as sadr Ansarullah. Huzooraa, upon hearing his duties and roles, said, “Masha-Allah! You are holding so many portfolios; it seems you are quite a competent person.”
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa asked how many members of ansar there were, to which he replied that there were 6,038 members. Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “I think it should be more than that. You need to update your tajnid, go to the grass-root level and to each and every household and then find out how many ansar are living there.”
Following this, whilst addressing secretary talim, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa asked how many students were currently studying in universities, what they were studying and how many were pursuing research and medicine. The secretary replied that 25 students were attending universities and studying various subjects. He added that there were five students who had studied medicine.
Huzooraa asked about the programmes they made for students. Responding, he said that they counselled the students and advised them of the areas they should pursue for further studies such as science and mathematics as there was a need for more students in these areas.
Whilst offering guidance, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said, “Also ask your students to go into public service … in each and every office, from the local district level to the foreign office and president’s office, everywhere you should have your own Ahmadis.”
Whilst addressing the secretary tarbiyat, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa enquired about the tarbiyat plan for the year. Huzooraa further asked how many Jamaat members prayed in congregation. Replying to Huzooraa, he said that their plan included ensuring that all secretaries were trained. He added that over 80% of Ahmadis prayed in congregation and went the mosque. Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “Masha-Allah!” and asked if any book of the Promised Messiahas was prescribed for Ahmadis to study for the year. Huzooraa said that an English translated book of the Promised Messiahas should be prescribed for all to read during the year.
Next to present his report was secretary Waqf-e-Nau. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked him how many were part of Waqf-e-Nau in The Gambia and how many of them were attending universities; replying to Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa, he said that there was a total of 151 waqifeen. Among them, four had completed university and two had gone to Jamia International, Ghana.
Huzooraa further asked how many waqifeen had completed their studies and education and how many were currently working. The secretary replied that two were working in MTA The Gambia, one person was working at the Ahmadiyya hospital as a pharmacist, three were teaching in schools and one person had currently completed and received his doctor’s degree.
Subsequently, whilst addressing the secretary wasaya, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa enquired how many had done Wasiyyat; responding to this, the secretary said that there were currently 219 who were musis and more than 1,600 members whose Wasiyyat forms were subject to approval.
Whilst addressing the secretary tabligh, who is also serving as principal Tahir Ahmadiyya Muslim Upper and Senior Secondary School, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked how many students studied in the school; replying to this, he said that currently there were 1,306 students. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa also asked what plans were made for tabligh. The secretary explained that they had set various plans in place and were making the best use of MTA. He added that they had managed to establish a good working relationship with government officials and community leaders and had also distributed leaflets spreading the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat.
Following this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa addressed the general secretary and enquired how many jamaats there were in total and whether he received regular reports and wrote his comments on them. The secretary, replying in the affirmative, stated that he made notes and comments on the reports he received. Further, Huzooraa said, “The general secretary should have contact with each and every jamaat and the details of the jamaats should be on the fingertips of the general secretary.”
Addressing a doctor who was serving at an Ahmadiyya Muslim hospital, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa asked how many patients he saw each day; he replied that he catered to between 100 to 110 patients a day.
Addressing a missionary serving in the northern area of The Gambia, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked where he completed his missionary education. The missionary explained that he had completed his training locally and also in Islamabad UK during Hazrat Khalifatul Masih’s IVrh time.
Huzooraa then addressed the secretaries for Tahrik-e-Jadid and Waqf-e-Jadid and gave them a target to achieve before the end of each scheme’s fiscal year.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then asked the secretary for external affairs if he was in contact with each and every member of parliament and those who could be helpful for external matters. The secretary said that he had established contact with most of the national assembly members who also come and participate in Jamaat functions.
Following this, upon recognising a missionary serving in the western region, Huzooraa said, “Muhammad Mbaye Sahib, I know you very well” and further asked him why he had trimmed his beard and said that a beard suited him more. To this, Muhammad Mbaye Sahib replied that he would now grow a beard.
After this, a doctor serving as national secretary umur-e-ama, a pharmacist and administrator in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Hospital and as mohtamim muqami for Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya presented his duties. Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “Masha-Allah! You are serving in various capacities.”
Whilst addressing additional secretary Waqf-e-Jadid nau-mubai‘een, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said, “Try to do proper training of these nau-mubai‘een so that they become part and parcel of the mainstream Jamaat, within three years.”
Following this, addressing secretary talim-ul-Quran & waqf-e-arzi, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked how many amila members do waqf-e-arzi and further said that amila members should be encouraged to take part in waqf-e-arzi outside their local areas.
Then, whilst addressing secretary ishaat, Huzooraa asked if there was any organ, magazine, newspaper or bulletin which was being printed by The Gambia Jamaat. The secretary replied that they printed Al Islam, a monthly magazine.
Whilst addressing a missionary who graduated from Jamia International, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa, in Urdu, asked where he was serving. The newly qualified missionary said he was serving in MTA The Gambia. Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “Masha-Allah!”
After all amila members had introduced themselves, a short video of the printing press, Ahmadiyya hospital, Baitul Salam mosque and MTA The Gambia was presented to Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa.
In the end, Amir Sahib expressed his gratitude to Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa for graciously granting this mulaqat and taking time out of his precious schedule. He added that there were some members, outside of the amila, who had not seen Huzooraa and wished to see him. Upon this, Huzooraa conveyed his salaam to them and to all of the amila members.
(Report prepared by Al Hakam)