Africa Speaks — Page 61
. . . "" "" He arrived in Bathurst, the Gambia's Capital on a 5-day visit on May 1, 1970. The Gambia's leading paper The GAMBIA NEWS BULLETIN front-paged the arrival story and carried it as a lead story in its next issue. It runs: AHMADIYYA HEAD HERE The Supreme Head of the world-wide Ahmadiyya Movement Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad, who is Khalifatul Masih III, arrived in The Gambia yesterday for a five-day visit. He was met at the airport by prominent members of the Movement and other leading personalities. Before coming here, he visited the 1,000,000 Ahmadis in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Ivory Coast. The Supreme Head said that he had been looking forward to his visit and hoped to meet as many Gambians, both officials and private citizens, during his stay. This morning, he will meet the President and will beguest of honour at a reception at the Atlantic Hotel in the evening. At the Gambia High School tomorrow, the religious leader will meet members of the public. A spokesman for the local Movement said the Supreme Head's visit is an historic occasion. He recalled that the Movement's literature had been introduced into this country several years ago but it was not until 1955 when a Gambian, the late Mr. Bara N'Jie, initiated action to get a missionary stationed in the Gambia. The first two overseas Ahmadis to come here were a Nigerian and a Ghanaian, who visited here in 1960. In 1961, the Movement's Mission was established by Chaudhry Moham mad Sharif. It now has branches all over the country and operates a medical centre at Kaur. The spokesman said the foundation stone of a secondary school. which will be located at Bununkunda in the Mombo St. Mary Division, will be laid by the Khalifatul Masih during his visit. He also said that the establishment of many more schools was planned. Khalifatul Masih III was elected to his office in 1965 after a distinguished academic career. He is a former Principal of the Talimul Islam College, an affiliate of Punjab University and a member of the Punjab University Senate. The 61 years old Head is married with two daughters and three sons. 62