Basics of Religious Education — Page 269
269 269 269 269 269 B ASICS OF R ELIGIOUS E DUCATION - F IFTH E DITION To intensify the missionary work in foreign countries, a new scheme named, Tahrik-e-Jadid was initiated, which was based on observing nineteen prin- ciples or demands. Under this scheme, the Ahmadis were urged to lead a simple life and to make more sacrifices of their time and money for the cause of Islam. Also, they were advised to earn more and to ensure higher education for their children. As a result of this innovative scheme, more foreign missions were opened in many other countries such as: East Africa (1934), Japan (1935), Burma (1938), France (1945), Spain (1946), Holland (1947), Switzerland (1948), West Germany (1949) and Denmark (1956). Later on, a number of mis- sions were opened in Sweden, Norway, Fiji and Guyana. As the community was growing rapidly, it was divided into different age groups to ensure better training of all Jama`at members: Lajna Imaa’illah : for women above the age of 15- established on Decem- ber 25, 1922. Nasiratul Ahmadiyya: for girls of ages 7 to 15 years- established in February, 1939. Majlis Ansarullah : for men above the age of 40-established on July 26, 1940 — Hadrat Maulvi Sher Ali was the first president. Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya: for the youth. of ages 15 to 40-estab- lished on December 25, 1938. Majlis Atfalul Ahmadiyya: for boys for 7 to 15 years of age- established on July 26, 1940. On January 28, 1944, Hadrat Khalifatul Masih II ra claimed for the first time that he was indeed the ‘Promised Son’ as mentioned in the prophecy regard- ing Muslih Mau`ood. In a number of public meetings, he told the commu- nity that his claim was based on various divine revelations and dreams. These meetings were held in Hoshiarpur (Feb. 20, 1944), Lahore (March 12, 1944), Ludhiana (March 23, 1944) and Delhi (April 16, 1944). In August, 1947, when Pakistan came into being, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih- II ra along with the Jama`at members moved from Qadian to Pakistan. Some 313 Ahmadis, called Darveshaan stayed behind to take care of Qadian. In Pakistan, Huzur ra laid the foundation of Jama`at’s new Centre at Rabwah, a waste and barren piece of land, which has wonderfully transformed into a model town with all its religious, educational and social institutions. In addition, there are the headquarters of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Tahrik-e-Jadid (November 23, 1934) Auxiliary Organizations Claim to be The Promised Reformer (January 28,1944) New Centre at Rabwah (September 20, 1948) 7. 4 7. 4 7. 4 7. 4 7. 4 P P P P P R O M I S E D R O M I S E D R O M I S E D R O M I S E D R O M I S E D M M M M M E S S I A H E S S I A H E S S I A H E S S I A H E S S I A H AS AS AS AS AS A N D A N D A N D A N D A N D S S S S S U C C E S S O R S U C C E S S O R S U C C E S S O R S U C C E S S O R S U C C E S S O R S — K — K — K — K — K H A L I F H A L I F H A L I F H A L I F H A L I FA A A A AT U L T U L T U L T U L T U L M M M M M A S I H A S I H A S I H A S I H A S I H II II II II II