An Introduction to the Hidden Treasures of Islam — Page 202
202 Background June 20 and 21, 1897, were declared to be the dates on which the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria was to be celebrated through out India. So the Promised Messiah as issued a leaflet on June 7, 1897, asking his followers to reach Qadian before June 20 for this purpose. The Book The book gives particulars of the gathering, which was held in Qadian. In response to his call, 225 Ahmadis gathered at Qadian on June 19, 1897, from distant parts of India. Meetings were held on June 20, and lectures were delivered in six languages, Urdu, Arabic, Persian, English, Punj a b i and Pashto. The speakers included Hadrat Maulav i H ak i m N u r-ud-D i n, Maulav i ‘Abdul Kar i m, Maulav i Burh a n-ud-D i n of Jhelum and Maulav i Jam a l-ud-D i n. A congratulatory telegram was sent to Lord Elgin, the Viceroy of India, on June 20, 1897. Prayers were offered and the poor of the town were fed throughout June 20-22, and a feast was held on the June 21. Streets, mosques and houses were illuminated on evening of June 22. In short, this blessed gathering continued from June 20 to June 22, 1897 and it was organized with a joint contribution from the followers of the Jam a ‘at. A beautifully bound copy of the Promised Messiah as ’s book Tu h fa -e- Qai s ariyyah was sent to Queen Victoria through the Deputy Commissioner in celebration of the auspicious occasion. Copies of the book were also sent to the Viceroy and the Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab. ( Life of Ahmad by A. R. Dard ra , edition of 2008, pp. 538-539)