Islam's Response to Contemporary Issues — Page xix
Preface to the First Edition Jam a ‘at Ahmadiyya was founded in 1889 by Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian who claimed on Divine authority that he was the Promised Messiah as and World Reformer of the latter centuries whose advent was prophesied in the ancient sacred scriptures of all great religions. In 1989, this community of Muslims celebrated its first centenary. The last major event in the celebrations was a lecture, delivered on 24th February 1990, at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London by the Head of Jam a ‘at Ahmadiyya, Hadrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih the Fourth rh (Successor to the Promised Messiah as ). This keynote lecture was attended by eight hundred distinguished guests including politicians, Arabists, journalists, professors, teachers, men and women from other professions and vocations and eminent religious scholars. Mr. Aftab A. Khan, National Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association (UK) welcomed the guests. Mr. Edward Mortimer presided and Mr. Hugo Summerson MP proposed the vote of thanks. After the lecture there was a brief session of questions and answers.