Africa is changing the way things are done economically and agriculturally:

Saving the World starts in Africa

The current head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jam’aat, 5th Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, did experiments in Ghana to grow wheat to help clear the path to Ghanaian Self Sufficiency:

Sahibzada Mirza Masroor Ahmad Sahib was appointed as the manager of the Ahmadiyya Agricultural Farm in Depali, in the northern region of Ghana, for 2 years. First experiments had revealed that wheat could not grow in Ghana. But Sahibzada Mirza Masroor Ahmad Sahib continued relentlessly. Another Ahmadi Muslim, Mr Qasim Ahmad, joined him in this series of experiments. The efforts of this team of Ahmadi agriculturalists finally paid dividends. The first successful experiment of planting, growing and nurturing wheat as an economic crop in Ghana was exhibited at an international trade fair and the results were submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture of Ghana. It stands as a great credit to his personal efforts in these experiments that successive presidents of Ghana have commended the Ahmadiyya Muslim community for these highly successful experiments which revolutionized the country’s economy and paved the way for self sufficiency.

from: 5th Khalifa of the Promised Messiah

here’s an interesting article:

Ghana Self Sufficiency

Our leaders and commentators have rightly called attention to the growingm shortage of food in the global village. We cannot completely insulate ourselves from the hurricanes which rage around; but we need not be prostrated by every draught. There should be no serious food shortage in Ghana provided we act wisely.

Unfortunately many of us focus attention on what is happening in the world at large and what can be done within the global context. We then look for solutions outside Ghana.

We think of how to get some of the rice, which is short in the global village. Some who do not see beyond the free market economy and self-interest advocate the reduction of tariffs on rice so that the people do not have to pay so much for rice whose price is high on the world market.

It sounds like a wise proposition. Moreover in an election year politicians would like to take or propose measures, which appear to keep the cost of living down. But the proposal for cheaper foreign food imports is a recipe for unnecessary dependence and agricultural decline. The people must resolutely oppose any measures, which promote unhelpful changes in tastes, and suffocate local food production.

Let us deal firstly with changes in tastes and habits. Rice is not a staple food in Ghana. Neither is wheat or bread. Both became important food items while the production of rice which we can produce was not adequately encouraged.

We cannot put the clock back but we should know that wheat products such as bread were delicacies not so long ago. Bread was the present to carry when one travelled into the hinterland. That was how the bread market at Nsawam developed. Before the Accra-Winneba road was constructed, to go to the West and North, one generally had to go to Nsawam and then turn to Swedru for Cape Coast and Takoradi.

To continue with the change in palate, thanks to food aid and change in life-styles, bread and wheat have generally become important items of food at least for a vocal minority. Some workers find bread and flour preparations convenient and affordable. You can wash the bread down with water and no fish is required!

We cannot grow wheat here economically but the people can be provided with affordable access to locally produced food.

So far as rice is concerned, we can grow it.

Rice production grew when the imported commodity became scarce during the Second World War. At school we were introduced to greyish brown rice from the Western Region. We did not like it.

Almost every class was then turned into a seminar on ‘beriberi’, a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin B. Brown rice we were taught had vitamin B. We were persuaded to enjoy the rice from the western region while brown rice became popular in the school.

Local production of rice was not encouraged after the war, as imported rice flooded the market. But rice was not cheap. Even well to-do families had it occasionally say once a week on Sundays while for the bulk of the population rice was enjoyed only at parties.

Rice production picked up again in the forties. I think the National Investment Bank (NIB) had a lot to do with this. Its head, Mr J. S. Addo now of Prudential Bank is a member of the Council of State and has unsurpassed knowledge about the use of credits and monitoring to promote agriculture.

If we really want food security we cannot ignore past efforts; successes and failures and the committed role of investment banks, especially the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) can play. This is not the time to think of getting rid of banks charged with agricultural development.

Rice production flourished during the Acheampong regime. Indeed food production had a major boost with the Operation Feed Yourself programme and the strategy of “Eat what you grow and grow what you eat”. Devaluation arrested the growth of the rice industry in the north and helped to strangle it.

It must be pointed out that the devaluation was necessary but not competently executed. Hardly any measures were taken to prevent necessary industries like rice production and fishing from collapsing.

Rice farmers could not afford the harvesters and other machines and implements required and our fishing vessels could not afford stores required on the high seas because of devaluation. It was a disaster for these industries and we have not recovered from the bad consequences of devaluation policies.

This brief excursion into the past should convince us that we can do a lot to avoid a food crisis not only for now but for the foreseeable future. We should not reduce tariffs on food we can produce but increase them.

Meanwhile, we should take vigorous action to increase production and deliver products in a manner and ways acceptable to the population.

Food should be enjoyed and not only to satisfy hunger. But the people who produce cocoa, gold, and other minerals to enable us to pay our way in the harsh global environment will not for ever look unconcerned while the inadequate foreign exchange produced is used, to import perfumed, super long-grain snow-white rice for the few to enjoy. Those who want such luxuries should pay for it. We should not lower tariffs on rice for their benefit.

It will not be easy to do this. Authority should not be shy to use the apparatus of state to explain and provide the appropriate leadership. It should be made clear that those who would not eat gari would not be prevented from eating rice if they can afford it. Those who prefer fatty imported chicken would not be deprived of their culinary pleasure. All can seek their interest in a free society while the public interest prevails.

Our traders will oppose any measures which appear to be against their interest but they are smart and will find ways and means of marketing Ghanaian produce wherever located. They should be given clear unequivocal notice of policies and time to adjust. We should and can produce and market what we eat here in Ghana and avoid a food crisis in spite of developments in the global village.

We should not only grow corn, yam, cassava, plantain, cocoyam, and other local foods but ensure that what is produced is marketed well to satisfy consumers and producers. We have been talking for too long about post-harvest losses.

Plans and measures to contain losses have not been adequately maintained and sustained. We should be able to feed ourselves if we produce what we eat, market what we produce efficiently and avoid post-harvest losses.

Ghana should give food aid and not supplicate bread from outside. Nobody respects a beggar and we have not experienced a major natural disaster to warrant a request for food aid.

Our major problem is the cost of transportation of food. The administration should deal with the problem created by the high cost of oil. How are we financing the oil we consume? We have to adopt and implement a credible oil policy, however unpopular, otherwise, feeding ourselves will be a problem.

Source: K. B. Asante/Daily Graphic

The Holy Quran on Nuclear War and atomic bombs

Quran on Nuclear War

Quran on Nuclear War — mp3

We stand at the precipice of the 6th cataclysm and as we inch ever closer to the abyss many of us wonder how we got here in the first place.

The Quran has a short chapter, Chapter 104 called "Al-Humazah", The Slanderer.

This Chapter, the 4th Khalifa of the Promised Messiah has said, deals with the Quran’s prophecy of Nuclear War via atomic bombs. The fact that atomic bombs were created in the past century is probably the biggest reason why the people who wrote commentaries on the Quran in many previous centuries were a little puzzled at the inclusion of the word, "hotamah" in the Quran, which is the smallest particle, literally, an atom.

Here is Khalifatul Masih IV, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad’s translation of

Chapter 104, Surah Al Humazah, "The Slanderer":

[104:1] In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
[104:2] Woe to every backbiter, slanderer,
[104:3]Who amasses wealth and counts it over and over.
[104:4]He imagines that his wealth will make him immortal.
[104:5]Nay! he shall surely be cast into the "hotamah".
[104:6]And what should make thee know what the "hotamah" is?

Explaining the word hotamah, the Holy Quran speaks of a blazing fire built within it and confined in extended columns. It goes on to declare that when man will be cast into it, this fire will directly leap upon his heart as though no intervening rib cage existed. This can only mean that this fire would be of a completely different nature which could directly kill the heart before it could scorch the body. Certainly no fire known to man of that age could be described as such.

Unless one is familiar with the scientific description of how an atomic explosion takes place and what changes are brought about within the nuclear mass, one cannot fully comprehend the meaning of the Quranic expression of ‘extended columns’. Nuclear experts describe the state of a critical mass which is about to explode, as something elongating and pulsating with the immense pressure built within it. This pressure is caused by the elongation of the nuclei before they burst and in that process an element of high atomic weight is split into two elements of lesser atomic weight. The sum total of the atomic weight of the newly formed elements is less than the atomic weight of the original parent element, normally referred to as a heavy metal. The small portion of the atomic weight which is lost in this process is turned into energy. This is not the only model of a nuclear bomb but we have chosen this simple one to describe the process of the extended columns.

Then the Chapter speaks of the gamma rays that are unleashed by a nuclear explosion vibrating at the speed of light as the "fuel" which "leaps suddenly on to the hearts"

[104:7]Allah’s fire as preserved fuel,
[104:8]Which will leap suddenly on to the hearts.
[104:9]It is locked up in outstretched pillars to be used against them

The x-rays also travel sideways in all directions along with the neutrons, causing immense heat which burns everything on its way. The speed at which this heat front moves is many times the speed of sound which also creates shockwaves. But much faster and more penetrating than this are the gamma rays which outpace the heat front by leaping forward at the speed of light. They are so immensely vibrant that by the sheer force of their vibration they strike the hearts dead. So death is not caused by the intense heat generated by x-rays, it is the tremendous energy of the gamma rays which inflicts instantaneous death. This is exactly how the Holy Quran describes it.

There is much more information in the following links which I have not quoted here that convincingly makes the case of the Quranic prophecy of Nuclear War or Nuclear Holocaust.

Quran on Nuclear War — extract from Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge & Truth by the 4th Khalifa of the Promised Messiah

Quran on Nuclear War — mp3

The Shooting of Thomas Hurndall Trailer

I still am unaware of how the non-british can watch the film. Your best bet may be a torrent.

Khanverse’s book review of "The Female Solution" by Naimah Latif

Here are some of my other posts on Naimah Latif, her book, “The Female Solution”, and the subject of polygamy/polygyny

Polygyny is the Female Solution?

Polygamy amongst Black Muslims in Philly

The Female Solution

Naimah Latif on Bill Cosby

And about her late husband, my mentor: Sultan Latif

 “I don’t have to listen to you, you ain’t my daddy

Amma do what I waunt.  You cain’t tell me nuthin!”

As we gaze across the American landscape now that we’ve gained a foothold on the 21st century, we can’t help but notice:

Something has gone terribly wrong.

The basic foundation of any society is the family.

A family consists of two parents, a mother and father, and usually some children or offspring.  If the families tear apart, societies will inevitably follow suit.

In nomadic, agrarian societies before the dawn of enlightened “civilization”, the family unit was also part of a larger tribe which consisted of extended family: cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, tribal elders, etc.

In order to survive, members of the tribe all had to rely on one another.  Before the assembly line “innovation” of the industrial revolution, families, tribes, and communities amongst almost all species have had an efficient division of labor scheme.

As we wander ever closer to the looming cataclysm of nuclear war our communities are crumbling apart.  Babies are making and raising babies.  Fathers have disappeared.  Women are becoming Men.  Real men are few and far between.  Slavery has a reemerged like the Phoenix and adopted another alias: Imprisonment. In “correctional facilities.”

Powe’s father left when he was 2. The building in which the family lived burned down when he was 7. Connie Landry, his mother, was in and out of trouble with the law.

Leon Powe, a young basketball player and key contributor in the 2nd unit for the ’08 NBA Champion Boston Celtics, has had direct experience with the racially prejudiced judicial system.  Powe’s mother struggled to keep food on the table for 7 hungry children.  She stole groceries and was locked up for 90 days.  This forced Leon, the eldest of the children to grow up. Fast.  His single mother passed away two days before his high school state championship game.  Basketball was the only ticket out for his entire family and he pursued it as such.

The family - Leon is the oldest of seven siblings - lived in shelters, abandoned houses, rundown residential hotels, even in the backs of abandoned cars. Landry’s husband was in a state prison. Even Leon’s best friend was in trouble.

In game 2 of the ‘08 NBA finals, Powe scored 21 points in less than 15 min off the bench sparking an exciting victory for Celtics.  Leon has arrived, despite all the tall odds stacked against him.  What about the other 8 of 10 children raised by single mothers? How will they end up? What if they don’t have Leon’s talent or responsible guidance to be successful?

To combat the illnesses caused by single parent homes we need fresh, bold solution-oriented ideas.

Naimah Latif, a local Ahmadi author, producer, scholar, educator and Vice President of Latif Communications Group, has written a book that does just that.  She proposes the eradication of laws in America outlawing polygamy/polygyny to combat the crisis that has developed in our society, specifically targeting the Urban Single Mother.

Reactions vary widely depending on whose opinion we solicit.  Many, most likely, will judge “The Female Solution” without ever reading a paragraph.

Naimah Latif’s book isn’t about polygamy. Not even close.  “The Female Solution” is about identifying the roots of the social problems arising from broken homes and enacting proactive solutions based in love, wisdom and responsibility. 

She draws from a wide variety of examples from the social order of animals such as birds, lions, wolves, and buffalo.  Naimah also collects valuable insights from an impressive array of scholarly, ground-breaking, books.

“The Female Solution” masterfully dichotomizes masculine and feminine tendencies and tactfully elucidates distinct roles of mothers and fathers in establishing a supportive environment conducive to physical, emotional and spiritual growth.  This foundation is priceless for grounded, well-behaved, loving children who will exude the values instilled in them.  They will thus become a constructive influence on society rather than being destructively influenced by society.  The home will become the central hub rather than the pub or club.

Peace cannot be established in a society or community that does not have peace in its own homes:

Home is a place of peace and comfort – not a place of confusion, where children don’t know when a mother may stumble into a disheveled house after a drugged out night of partying and remember that there is no food for them to eat.

Home is a place of safety and security – not a place of fear where children have to worry about whether a father will burst in the door in a drunken rage and terrorize the family with threats of violence.

Home is a place where the family gathers together and celebrates the joyful presence of children.  It is the existence of children that reminds a family that their past is connected to a future. (“The Female Solution”, pg 80)

On properly channeling adolescent sexual drive:

When adults are confused in their thinking about sex, they pervert the natural development of children.  Children need physical affection in order to develop the capacity to express physical affection.  As children grow into adolescence, this expression of physical affection naturally develops into a desire for sexual intimacy.  This desire, rather than being condemned or exploited, should be guided towards a whole anticipation of a very special, exclusive relationship.  When sexual intimacy is presented as a natural consequence of reaching adulthood, finding a mate and getting married, there is no shame, guilt or disgust attached to it. (“The Female Solution”, pg 63)

On the need for love in marriage:

Men and women need love from each other to enhance their physical health and emotional well being.  They need love from each other in order to have inner peace and tranquility.  Love stimulates the body’s natural opiates.  Life is stressful, and without love’s soothing effect, the body develops stress related illnesses that can lead to sickness and early death.  Studies show that married men live longer, healthier lives than single men, and married women experience less stress related illnesses than single women. (“The Female Solution”, pg 63)

When women realize the strong influence they have in shaping male behavior, they will be more conscious of how they choose the men in their lives.  The role of the female is to set a high standard for males to strive for and to insure that only the best males are allowed to reproduce life.  This is nature’s way of continually evolving and improving the species.  The females’ selection of the best males insures that each generation produces stronger, more intelligent offspring.  Men should compete with each other in the best manner to demonstrate their superior intelligence, strength, and skills.

When women select men who use their abilities to improve the world and uplift humanity, women are setting the standard of manhood all men will strive to reach.  When women collectively respond to good men who are superior in their demonstration of honesty, integrity, respect, compassion, generosity, courage, and hard work, women will influence other men to strive to reflect those same values. (“The Female Solution”, pg 151, 152)

As “The Female Solution” eases into a relaxed discussion about polgyny and makes a compelling case, it outlines some alarming truths about the exploitation of the female psyche:

Who could be the most beautiful, the most alluring and the most seductive?  The cosmetic industry, the clothing industry and every other industry needed only to advertise that their product would guarantee the capture of a man.  Women rushed to the shopping malls, spending whatever it took to beautify their hair, nails, faces and bodies in order to be one of the few to win that prized possession – a good man.

The desire for the love of a man often drives women to go straight to the path of least resistance: Sex.  So, women offer sex. Men accept sex.  Men leave them after sex.  Women are angry. They want love, they hope for commitment, they get neither.  This crisis causes some women to act out of desperation.  They make bad choices because they believe they have no other options.  Some conclude that the best way to avoid heartbreak is to avoid too much emotional attachment.  They decide to keep relationships casual and non-committal.  That way they are not too disappointed when, even though they desire love, all they can get is a temporary sex partner.

Women need love.  They need love like they need air, water, and food.  They are being deprived of legal spouses for themselves and legitimate fathers for their children, because the current marriage laws in many U.S. states will not permit legal polygyny. (“The Female Solution”, pg 228)

Naimah’s penetrating insight into relationships and psychology yields an entertaining, enjoyable, intricately interwoven gift that is essential for anyone who desires a fulfilling marriage and posterity that will leave positive waves in its wake for generations to come.

"Strong, decent, responsible, God-fearing men must prepare themselves to marry more than one wife."

Book Review of Naimah Latif’s "The Female Solution" about family relationships, social harmony, rearing of children, and polygyny or polgamy as a possible Female Solutions to the societal problems created by single parent homes.

Friday Sermon 10/10/08 - Khalifatul Masih V

Huzur delivered today’s Friday Sermon from the newly built Masjid Mubarak, Bait us Salaam in St. Prix, near Paris in France.

Huzur cited verse 27 of Surah Al A’raf. Its translation reads:

“O’ children of Adam! We have sent down to you raiment to cover your shame, and to be an elegant dress; but the raiment of righteousness – that is the best. That is one of the signs of Allah, that they may remember.”

Huzur said that with the grace of Allah the French Jama’at has been enabled to build their first ever mosque. May Allah make this mosque a strong foundation for building further mosques which may not have any legal impediments and may the members of the Jama’at be also infused with a spirit of sacrifice to build more mosques. Huzur said the construction of this mosque has certainly proven that if one is resolute Allah removes impediments in the fullness of time. Huzur said due to the objections of the local people there has been some restriction on the height of the minarets of the beautiful mosque. However, at least permission has been given for this to be a functional mosque; InshaAllah the matter of the height of the minarets will also be resolved gradually.

Huzur said when this site was just a hall for offering Salat, there would be complaints from the local people and one day the Mayor of St. Prix, who Huzur said was present today, had also visited in anger. However, when Allah changed his heart with His grace it was the Mayor who gave formal permission for the building of the mosque. Huzur said he remembered the Mayor had also come to a Jalsa some years ago and had removed his shoes before coming to the stage and had met Huzur respectfully. In this way the very person who was opposed to the construction of the mosque not only gave permission to go ahead with the construction but was also helpful in removing the impediments and is still being helpful. May Allah reward him and open up his heart further.

Huzur said all this is a blessing of Allah and is something that should make us grateful to Him and the way to be grateful is to worship Him in a better and enhanced way and to adopt taqwa more than before. While a mosque facilitates worship of God and turning to Him it also draws one’s attention towards service to mankind. Thankfulness is likely when we come to the mosque for sincere worship of God and leave all worldly matters outside. He is the Lord of all the worlds and if we fully comprehend this we would think of none other when coming to worship Him and we will be saved from concealed/latent shirk (associating partners with Allah). Having accepted the Imam of the age and having pledged to bring about pure/pious changes in ourselves we should make it to the mosque for congregational Prayers, not just on Fridays but most days.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that the heart is at the centre of all worship and if the heart is not inclined to Allah then what avail would be any worship? He said there are thousands of mosques in the world but the worship that goes on in them is but a ritual. Huzur said the expectations that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) had from us are quite tremendous. He was greatly pained for us, his followers, to reform ourselves and build a connection with Allah and he counselled and advised us regarding this. Huzur said there are mosques that our mosques cannot compete with in terms of beauty. However, the real beauty towards which the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) draws out attentions cannot be found in those mosques because the people of those mosques have not accepted the Imam of the age in accordance with the commandment of Allah and His Messenger. With the construction of this mosque in St. Prix, Huzur said the responsibilities of the Ahmadis have increased. Now the eyes of the Muslims and non-Muslims will be on them. Indeed, Huzur said the Ameer sahib had shown Huzur an article in a magazine of huge circulation, featuring an introductory article on the Jama’at with reference to the mosque. Introduction of the Jama’at opens ways and means for Tabligh as well as creates jealously and envy which leads to enmity. The best way of protection from this is through prayer; turn to Allah with sincerity and pray with humility and earnestness.

Huzur said with the building of the mosque come three challenges. The first challenge is to try and attend the five daily Prayers at the mosque with sincerity. Living in the Western world in general and near the city of Paris, which is associated with the razzle-dazzle of this world, in particular, turning to God would certainly attract His love. The second challenge, Huzur said is of Tabligh. Indeed the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that anywhere an introduction of Islam is needed, a mosque should be built. Huzur said just as a magazine had published a piece on the mosque even before its formal opening. When the opportunities for Tabligh open the eyes of the world will be on us. Huzur said generally Tabligh has borne fruit in France but it is limited to a certain ethnic group, i.e. the Arabs. Huzur said it is the right of the Arabs that the message of the true and ardent devotee of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) is taken to them. It is their favour on us that they brought the message of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) to us and saved our lives and our Hereafter. Therefore it is our foremost duty to take the message of the true and ardent devotee of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) to the Arabs. However, we should always bear in mind that the advent of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was for the entire world and the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was commissioned to gather the world under the banner of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). It our task to pray for this – the fruition is in the hands of Allah, only His grace can accomplish matters. The third challenge, Huzur said, was to keep an eye on our practices, our deeds. The people we do Tabligh to will certainly watch how we conduct ourselves. Today we have to be watchful over our practices and turn to Allah with sincerity and save millions from the earthly and heavenly calamities and bring them under the banner of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him).

Huzur said there should be no feeling of smugness at the completion of the building of the mosque. Each step of a believer towards piety draws his/her attention to further piety and as he/she develops in piety the sense of responsibility increases and there is greater aspiration to do good works. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) gave us the glad-tiding that one who builds a house of God on this earth will have a reciprocal house in Paradise, however it is conditional that the house of God (mosque) in the world is built purely for the sake of Allah. Huzur said one tries to offer Prayer with absolute sincerity in a mosque that is made purely for the sake of Allah and rather than feel pride over it one’s heart is filled with humility and awe of God that He may accept the sacrifice one has made in the building of the mosque.

Huzur said the best way to offer thankfulness to Allah for this new mosque in France is to develop in taqwa and to make each act of one’s worship to attain the pleasure of Allah. Huzur the Quranic verse cited at the start guides one to this by giving the example of clothing/apparel and its two attributes; to cover one’s weakness and to adorn one. Huzur said clothing/apparel covers any physical flaw we may have and protects us from the extremes of weather. Beautiful clothing/apparel enhances one’s personality. However, in the Western countries, especially this country, the clothing of women in particular have become most obscene and the more revealing they are the better they are considered. In particular in the summer months they are extremely exposing. Huzur said the reference to ‘raiment of righteousness’ in the verse draws attention that the function of apparent clothing/apparel is two fold but if there is a lack of taqwa even these two functions cannot be fulfilled. Indeed the best clothing/apparel is that of taqwa. Explaining the Arabic word ‘reesh’ (elegant dress) in the verse Huzur said it also means ‘feather, plumage of birds’. Indeed a bird without its plumage looks quite horrible. However, unfortunately these days the concept of a beautiful dress is in its nakedness. Sadly the odd Muslim and Ahmadi woman is also influenced by this and once they abandon their purdah it leads to further exposure. In response to a question raised by a new Ahmadi recently Huzur had told him that children should be made aware of their personal sanctity from an early age; who are they and what does God want from them. They should be made aware about clothing from an early age of five to six years old that whatever their environment, they are Ahmadis and Allah likes clothes to cover our bodies. Huzur said ‘reesh’ also means wealth and explained the significance of not earning wealth through wrong means, through defrauding the government of taxes etc. Huzur said it is essential to adopt what is permissible to cover one’s weaknesses and for this the clothing/apparel of taqwa is the best. Huzur said just as our father Adam (on whom be peace) covered his weakness we should be mindful of this aspect and continue to protect ourselves with taqwa and Istaghfar (seeking forgiveness). This would save us from much of this world’s absurdities.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) explained that ‘raiment of righteousness’ means that one’s spiritual elegance or beauty is only through taqwa. The raiment of taqwa can be taken on by fulfilling the pledge one makes to Allah. An Ahmadi may fulfil this pledge by adopting the modus operandi that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) gave us in the form of the Ten Conditions of Bai’at. The first condition is to abstain from all forms of shirk. Worldly engagements can take us away form remembrance of Allah. It is in our real benefit to avoid latent/hidden forms of shirk. The second condition is to keep away from ills that we face daily, like falsehood, trespass of the eye, adultery. Huzur said adultery does not just connote the act in itself but also frequent bad thoughts. There is also cruelty, dishonesty, mischief, rebellion etc. that are to be abstained from. The third condition is the offering of the five daily Prayers. Now with the new mosque, Huzur said, this should be especially borne in mind. Attention should be given to offering Tahajjud and to invoke (Durud) blessings and salutations on the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Durud advances one in spirituality. The fourth condition is not to harm creation of Allah in general and Muslims in particular under any impulse of anger etc. Huzur said if this was adopted all the grievances of the world would disappear. The fifth condition is to remain faithful to God under all circumstances. The sixth condition is to restrain all worldly desires and obey God and His Messenger. The seventh condition is that arrogance and vanity should be completely given up and humility adopted. The eight condition is to hold the honour of Islam dearer than one’s life and property. The ninth condition is to try and benefit mankind and the tenth condition is to have perfect obedience and love for the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Huzur said after the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) the rule now applies to Khilafat e Ahmadiyya. Huzur said this pledge is indeed essential for taqwa.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that endeavour should be made to become righteous. He said righteousness if of two kinds; about knowledge and about practice. The truth is not disclosed to one unless one becomes righteous. Salat, fasting and general worship is flawed unless one is righteous.

Addressing the congregation Huzur said may Allah bless them all with the blessings of the new mosque and may they all live with love, affection and a sense of brotherhood, may the office-holders, in light of the system of the Community, conduct themselves with humility and the members, again in light of the system of the Community be compliant. May Allah increase the sincere connection with Khilafat of the old Ahmadis and may He also increase the sincerity of the new comers whose love and affection for Khilafat is evident from their faces. Huzur said just before Jummah Majid sahib told him that it was in Dec 1984 during a visit to France that Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him) had first mentioned his vision of seeing the digit of ten shining on his watch and with this the words ‘Friday the 10th’ coming to his mind. Huzur said today was also Friday the 10th and the inauguration of the first mosque in France was taking place. May all the blessings of ‘Friday the 10th’ the tidings of which were given to Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him), and which Allah fulfils in many ways, be associated with this mosque.

Many centuries ago Muslims came to France through Spain but they faced difficulties. Huzur said materialism had become the dominant factor for them and they had to retreat. However the weapon of love, affection and prayers that the Messiah of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) has been given is a most purposeful weapon and wins hearts and can never be turned away and its effect is life-infusing. The Ahmadis of France, the servants of the Messiah of Muhammad, should be mindful that this time the operation is to win hearts and minds and is not coming from outside but from within France Allah has facilitated arrangements for this. The standards of Tabligh should be raised so that pious souls may swiftly gather under the banner of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). May Allah enable the French Jama’at to do so.

Next Huzur announced the sad new of the passing away of Maulana Bashir Ahmad sahib Qamar. He was the Nazir e Ala of Taleemul Qur’an for Waqfe Arzi in Pakistan. He was 74 years old. He served till the very end and had recently fallen ill. He dedicated his life in 1950 and had served in Ghana and Fiji. He had many good qualities and was very simple-natured. Huzur said in Africa Huzur personally saw him with great love for the Africans and working very hard. He lived alone so he would cook for himself. He wrote to Huzur a day before his passing away and wrote in broken words about his health and added that may Allah always grant Huzur pious, helpful people. Huzur prayed for his elevated status in Paradise and mentioned that he was the father of the Vikalul Isha’at in London Maulana Naseer Ahmad Qamar. May Allah grant patience and steadfastness to his bereaved family, he leaves behind three sons and four daughters.

Another missionary of the Community also passed away recently in Australia. He had served in the Ivory Coast, Fiji and Ghana. He was a very simple-natured person. He was diagnosed cancer recently. May Allah grant steadfastness to his wife and children.

Huzur announced that he would lead funeral Prayer in absentia for both the deceased.

A highly interesting fellow, David Livingstone has written two great books, one of which is available in its entirety online and in PDF - Terrorism & the Illuminati and the other can be purchased at its website, The Dying God

Here are a couple of interviews with him

David Livingstone & Chris Jon Bjerknes - mp3

David Livingstone & Henry Makow - mp3

I will be discussing Islamic eschatology and my own personal beliefs which, as a result of fulfillment of prophecy, are at variance with David’s, in the next few weeks in some audios on the subject. Stay tuned

-KV