Approaching the West — Page 31
A pproaching the West—31 Body through the process of voting. The elections of the National Am ī rs are approved by the Khal ī fah. In every country, there are local chapters that elect Presidents and executive bodies to minister the local Jam ā ‘at affairs. The office holders are elected through a voting process by the members, and approved by the Khal ī fah. While all other officeholders are elected for fixed terms by the members of the community, the Khal ī fah is elected for life by an Electoral College. The Electoral College consists of all the National Am ī rs, the executive heads and secretaries of Central Directorate, and all missionaries who have worked abroad (in foreign countries) outside for at least three years. The Khal ī fah is elected on the basis of his piety, religious knowledge, and services rendered to the Jam ā ‘at, and not on the basis of his personal agenda. There are no self-promoting candidates during the life of an existing Khal ī fah. As a matter of fact, canvassing in favor of any individual is strictly prohibited before or even during the election process. There is no candidate; names are proposed by the electoral college. While respecting the will of the people to adopt varying political systems that may suit them for administration of their public affairs, the A ḥ madiyya Khil ā fat does not aspire for any political authority in any country. It teaches its members to remain loyal to one’s country, and to respect and obey the laws of the land wherever one may chose to live. They are taught to bring about the desired change in law, wherever necessary, through legitimate legal process, and not by creating chaos and disorder, Therefore, it strongly rejects violence and terrorism for any cause in the name of Isl ā mic Jih ā d.