Ahmadiyyat - The Renaissance of Islam — Page 257
THE RENAISSANCE OF ISLAM 257 names was soon drawn up. In order to furnish the speakers with relevant material on the topics on which they were to speak, a set of notes was prepared of which five thousand copies were printed and were despatched to the speakers and other interested persons. In addition, the AI-Fazal issued a Special Number on 12 June 1927, extending over seventy- two pages, containing articles by the Khalifatul Masih, prominent Ahmadi scholars, men and women, non-Ahmadi leaders and non-Muslims on different aspects of the life of the Holy Prophet, peace be on him. The first issue of the Special Number was immediately exhausted and a second printing had to be hastily put through. The countrywide celebrations proved a tremendous success and were deeply appreciated everywhere by everyone. They helped to clear the air, to remove misunderstandings, to correct misrepresentations and to create a new, wholesome and lovable image of the Holy Prophet in the minds of non-Muslims throughout the. country. These meetings have since been repeated every year and have become a permanent feature of the efforts directed towards the promotion of friendly relations between the different sects and communities of the country. Some years later the Khalifatul Masih instituted the obser- vance of another day in every year for speeches and addresses on the lives of the founders of all the great religions. This was a natural and necessary sequel to the institution of the Holy Prophet's Day, and carried the purpose of interfaith under- standing and appreciation still further. This Day has become known as All-Prophets' Day. The British took over the administration of the Punjab from the Sikhs in 1845. During the last phase of their conflict with the Sikhs they were helped in various ways by Raja Gulab Singh, the Dogra Chieftain of Jammu, who deserted the Sikhs and went over to the British. Once the British control of the Punjab was established Raja Gulab Singh demanded from the British some substantial reward for his