A Gift for the Queen — Page 35
35 that gratefulness be expressed in all the languages of the Punjab in which Muslims are well-versed. A statement in Urdu compris- ing gratefulness and prayer was read in the public meeting. Statements were then written in Arabic, Persian, English, Punjabi and Pushto and were read out. In Urdu because it is used in courts and is common in government offices through Imperial decree. In Arabic because it is the language of God, fountainhead of all the languages of the world, and mother of tongues from which all other languages have sprung. Moreover, the last book for the guidance of mankind, the Holy Quran, was revealed in Arabic. In Persian, because it is the legacy of the former Muslim kings who ruled this country for about seven hundred years. In English, as it is the language of Her Majesty, the Queen, the Empress of India, and its respected members, to whom we are grateful for their justice and beneficence. In Punjabi, as it is our mother tongue in which it is imperative to express our gratitude. In Pushto, as it is a link between our mother tongue and the Persian language and represents the glory of our frontier. On the occasion of this celebration, a book was compiled in gratefulness for the Empress of India and was published with the title of To h fa-e-Qai s ariyyah [ ]. A few copies were very beautifully bound. One copy was sent to the Deputy Commissioner for onward submission to the Empress of India, and another was sent to respected Viceroy Governor General, Indian region. One copy was sent to Nawab Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab. We write below the prayers which were offered in six languages followed by the names of all the friends who trav- elled to Qadian for this public meeting. In intense hot weather, they bore the hardship cheerfully and many happily slept on the