Flowers for the Women Wearing Veils - Volume I — Page 229
! ! 229 Address to Lajna Delivered by Haz rat Mirza Bashir - ud - D in Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifat - ul - Masih II ra March 22, 1927 The following speech was delivered on March 22, 1927 , by Ha z rat Khalifa t - ul - Masih II ra at an event held by Lajna Ima’illah in honor of Sufi Ghulam Muhammad and his wife, R espected Ayesha Begum , on their return from Mauritius after twelve years. Haz rat Khalifa t - ul - Masih II ra said: First , I would like to express my pleasure on the address given by the Lajna , which in many aspects, was far superior to previous addresses. Firstly, becau se it dealt with those subjects which are appropriate for an occasion such as this one. Secondly, it dealt with the issues in a simple, straightforward manner without any hesitancy, artifice, and without an unnecessarily prolonged discussion. If there was a ny weakness , it was in its delivery. It appears that women have not yet developed the confidence to speak in public without some apprehension. We still require more help and time. While the devotees of Islam who go abroad and leave their households behind, inspire devotion in our hearts , I believe we should also cultivate a most important notion within ourselves, which is to develop the kind of courage these devotees demonstrate. It is only when we be lieve in this ideal, that we will be able to express our gratitude. It is wrong of us to appreciate that which is distant but ignore that which is close at hand. We hide our indolence behind the excuse of lack of opportunity. Otherwise, w e can find many opportunities similar to those availed by the missionaries who travelled abroad and upon whose return we express such devotion and happiness. I draw the attention of my dear sisters and Lajna members to the f act that propagation does not require a trip to Mauritius, Europe , or America. These opportunities are available not