Khilafat Centenary Souvenir 1908-2008 — Page 181
objectives of the Majlis became more detailed and more comprehensive. Leaders for the American jama'at Since Jama'ats in the United States were not organized in any nationwide network until the 1950s, it is not surprising that the Khuddam auxiliary was not nationally recognized until the late 1960s. In 1969, Imam A. R. Khan Bengali appointed Munir Hamid (currently Naib Amir,Jama'at USA) of Philadelphia as the first National Qaid. (president,leader) The first National Khuddam Cabinet Meeting was held in April 1969 in Dayton, Ohio. Hussain Abdul Aziz started a newsletter that year titled The Khadim. (singular of khuddam, meaning servant) Between 1970-1975, two National Qaideen (plural of Qaid) succeeded Munir Hamid: , Muzaffar A. Zafr and Noorudin A. Latif. In 1976, the first issue of a new Khuddam magazine, Al-Tariq,(the morning star) appeared, and in 1978, the first National Ijtema was held in New Jersey. The Majlis was starting the initial stages of growth, with many "firsts," but at this point was relatively running on its own without any clear guidance or communication. Nasir Malik (National Qaid 1982-1986) revamped the operations of MKA, USA due to his knowledge of Jama'at and his background having been in Pakistan. He said: "The 1980's were a planning period for the Majlis. The Khuddam of the United States lacked the knowledge of how to properly run or host Khuddam events, such as an Ijtema, collecting Khuddam chanda, and in some cases, holding elections for officers. In the 1970s and early 1980s, there was no clear picture of how to run and operate the Majlis, and this was the arduous task given to me. " During his years as National Qaid, National Ijtemat were held for the first time in consecutive years (4 straight), finance collection improved dramatically, and the core structure of the auxiliary was strengthened. While reflecting on his tenure, Nasir Malik remarks, "Many members and a majority of the National Ijtema attendees are second generation Ahmadis born and raised in the US, and many of them have come a long way in understanding Nizam-e:Jama'at (the system of the community) Many of my peers observe that American society will ruin our second generation, but if you look at the level of dedication and closeness among the American Ahmadi youth today, this observation is simply not true. The Khuddam today are bullish about their obligations, and so long as they hang on to the rope of Khilafat, they will do wonders for our Jama' at. " During this historic period, the Majlis realized yet another great sacrifice )Jlade in the cause of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. On August 8, 1983, the entire community was shocked to learn that Dr. Muzaffar Ahmad, National Mo'tamid (secretary)MKA, USA was martyred outside his home in Detroit, Michigan. On August 12, 1983, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrta related the significance of the martyrdom of Dr. Muzaffar Ahmad in his Friday Sermon. "Today I want to tell the Jama' at a piece of happy news cloaked in deep grief. Some of you who hear this will wonder if such news can even exist. I wish to tell them that there is a very happy piece of news that is always presented wrapped in deep grief and that news is of martyrdom. The martyrdom that I am going to mention is one of historical significance. For the first time, Allah has granted the rank of martyr to a young man in America. This is the first time in the history ofjama'at Ahmadiyya that the soil of America has tasted the blood of a martyr. This martyrdom is of great significance. It is of a very dedicated and devoted young man, Dr. Muzaffar Ahmad who lived in Detroit. Because of his devotion and eagerness to thejama'at, he was appointed Qaid Ilaqa,(regional qaid) America and also was serving in the national body at the time of his martyrdom. He was eager to do Dawat Illallah (calling people towards Allah). He would never let an opportunity for tabligh (propagation) of Islam that Allah offered him go by. Martyrdoms are a destiny of the communities that are engaged in calling people to Allah. These martyrdoms are given as a reward and not as a punishment. Thus, I say to those who have been the most affected by this tragedy, that is the people of Detroit, that O' Ahmadis who live in Detroit and in other cities of America; O' you who are ready to sacrifice your lives in the east and the west, do not be grieved by this temporary sorrow. This sorrow is a harbinger of incalculable happiness. Do not say this martyr is dead; he is alive. Do not recede from this path by even an inch. . . the path on which this devoted