Hazrat Ahmad — Page 32
32. HADHRAT AHMAD. Shortly after this debate he paid a visit to Ferozepur. During these journeys he was everywhere harassed and persecuted. In addition to the written matter published against him, wherever he appeared the people combined to annoy and torment him. . Promoting Friday Prayer Services. On 1st January 1896 the Promised Messiah inaugurated a movement for the general celebration of the Friday prayer service, which is one of the most beneficent institutions of Islam, and a symbol of its greatness. He made arrangements for the submission of memorial to the Government of India for the closing of. Government offices on Fridays. This service was for the Muslims a' practical and powerful sign of the advent of the Promised. Messiah but unfortunately, misconceptions had begun to prevail among them regarding it and in view of certain conditions attached to the institution, its obligatory nature had begun to be questioned. . At many places Muslims had abandoned the celebration of the service. . The Promised Messiah wanted to revive the institution and desired that government offices should be closed on Friday. He resolved to approach the Government with a memorial, but before it could be prepared, the Maulvis characteristically set up an opposition and wanted to take the management of the affair into their own hands. The object of the Promised Messiah was that somehow the great purpose should be achieved and it did not matter through whom. At the instance of Maulvi Muhammad. Hussain of Batala, he made a public announcement that if the said gentleman would undertake the responsibility of moving the. Government on the question, he was welcome to do so and the. Promised Messiah would leave the matter entirely to him. It is to be regretted that Maulvi Muhammad Hussain by this means only succeeded in postponing this very useful measure. The proposal of the Promised Messiah had, however, its origin in a Divine source and ultimately found its fulfilment at the hands of his followers. . Conference of Religions. Towards the end of 1896 certain gentlemen resolved to convene a Conference of Religions at Lahore. They invited the advocates of different religions to take part in it. The invitation was cordially accepted. It was laid down as one of the conditions of participation