A Gift for the Queen — Page 34
34 HADRAT MIRZA GHULAM AHMAD June 20, 1897 in Shimla. Then food was continuously distributed among the less affluent and needy from that day to June 22, 1897. Finally, to express our thankfulness a large feast was arranged on June 21, 1897. The less affluent and needy of the town were invit- ed and such elaborate food was prepared as is customarily offered at weddings and was served to all present. On that day more than three hundred people participated in the feast. Illumination was arranged for the night of June 22nd. As soon as darkness set in, lamps were lit in lanes, streets, mosques and homes at every visible place. Less affluent were provided oil from personal funds. As an expression of joy, the general public was included in the feast. This blessed gathering, for which all members donated volun- tarily with great zeal, started on June 20, 1897 and continued through the evening of June 22, 1897 with great fanfare. On the first day, all members of our Community—whose names will be listed later—prayed with great sincerity for the honour and heav- enly blessings for the Queen, the imperial family and the British government. All rites were carried out in accordance with the directives received in a timely fashion. Thanks to Almighty God, our Community—which includes respected government employ- ees—prayed with great sincerity, love, complete fidelity, full zeal and delight, and showed gratefulness and contributed towards the feast for the less affluent. A large amount of voluntary contri- butions was also collected. They thus complied with all the direc- tives of the General Committee so efficiently and delightfully that a better compliance cannot be imagined. A statement, comprising prayer and gratefulness for Her Majesty, the Empress of India, was read out. Attendees cried out A m i n with great enthusiasm. It was stated in six languages so