Khilafat Centenary Souvenir 1908-2008 — Page 127
Khilafat Centenary Past and Present Amarat: Huzur's Visits to the United States ----- Muhammad Siddique Shahid Gurdaspuri, Former Amir and Missionary-in-Charge In 1976, when I was Amir and Missionary In- Charge of USA and Canada, I was privileged to welcome Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih rn ra and I w as fortunate enough to accompany him during his tour, Alhamdolillah. July 2 5, 1976 was a blessed da y for American Ahmadis in particular and for Americans in general because it was the first time in the history of the United States that the divinely elected Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Jama 'at stepped on U. S. s oil. During this holy journe y, Huzurra was accompanied by his wife , Hadhrat Syeda Mansoora Begum Sahiba, Shahid Ahmad Pasha , Bashir Ahmad Rafiq, Imam of the London Fazal Mosque, and Masood Ahmad Dehlavi, Editor of Al - Fazl. Members of the U. S. and Canadianjama ' ats were present at the Dulles International Airport. Those present included Sahibzada Mirza Muzaffar Ahmad , Khalifa Abdul Aziz Sahib from Canada, Rashid Ahmad, and Muzaffar Ahmad Zafar Sahib. When Huzur's ra plane touched down and Huzurra emerged from the walkwa y, the reception greeted their beloved Imam with, "Ahlan Wa Sahlan wa Marhaba " (Welcome to our home and greetings). Huzur ra very graciously shook hands and embraced the members who were present to meet him, as did Hadhrat Begum Sahiba with the lajna contingent. The entourage proceeded to the house of Sahibzada Mirza Muzaffar Ahmad where Huzur ra w as to stay. Huzur ra later called me into his presence and proceeded to gi ve instructions regarding the agenda for the forthcoming meeting wi th the presidents of the U. S. chapters of the J ama'a t. On Jul y 2 6, 1976 a meeting was held wherein different topics were discussed relating to the propagation of Islam and Ahmadiyyat, the organization, solidarity and strengthening of the Jama' at, and the establishment of a system of tabligh (propagation) in the islands outside the U. S. In each of these areas, Huzur ra gave valuable direction with far reaching impact. On Jul y 2 7, 1 976, Huzur ra visited the Ahmadi yy a Muslim Mission House in Washington D. C. , located at 21 41 Leroy Place. Here, Huzur ra met with two journalists, Lavonia Perry Marie, who represented a local radio station andjohn Novotnay, who represented a religious news service. These journalists interviewed Huzur ra and their questions were given appropriate responses. The discussion included the subject of man's continuous communion with God through Islam, an area where, compared with Christianity, the latter cannot claim any superiority. Huzur ra also discussed the renaissance of Islam and some revolutionary changes in fa vor of Islam, which would occur within five years. After the meeting, an incident occurred which caused me great anxie ty, but Huzurra remained composed. An African American woman gave a letter to Huzur and said that she wanted a response that same da y. Huzur ra told her, without any sign of anxiety, to come tomorrow and a response would be given. He proceeded to put the letter in his pocket without opening it. Huzur ra reached the home of respected Sahibzada Mirza Muzaffar Ahmad and opened the letter; it was from a person named Daud Ahmad who was an Ahmadi but because of his involvement in anti-Ahmadi activities, had been disbarred from thejama'at. Originally from Philadelphia, Mr. Ahmad had also visited Rabwah, but now was living in Trinidad. The letter was mailed from there, and contained information about a planned assassination attempt on beloved Huzur's ra life, which Mr. Ahmad knew more about but would only share if provided with a chance to meet Huzur ra in Canada. The letter instructed Huzur ra to provide a response vi a the woman who had delivered the letter. Huzurra immediat el y called me and respected Rashid Ahmad and gave us this letter so that the appropriate action could be taken, but there was no sign of any concern and worry and we were directed to continue with the planned program. We immediately contacted the FBI and security for Huzur ra w as increased. The ne xt da y, Huzurra and Begum Sahiba visited the Mi ss ion House and the same woman was there again. Hadhrat Begum Sahiba w as worried and asked me why action could not be taken against this woman? Her