Khilafat Centenary Souvenir 1908-2008 — Page 80
of members from various East CoastJama'ats came to offer Friday Prayer and to listen to Huzur's ra sermon, which he delivered in English. Huzurra emphasized that Ahmadis should act upon the commandments of the Holy Qur 'a n , become true Muslims and an example for others. This way they can introduce others to the life which they have embraced by accepting the Promised Messiaha'. After the Friday Pra yers, Huzur ra held a long session of individual and family Mulaqats (audiences) lasting over than five hours. On September 20, 1980, a reception was held in honor of Huzur ra at the Washington Hilton. A large number of University professors , reporters and intellectuals attended the reception. Huzur ra exchanged thoughts about economics and other important topics with them and they were very impressed with Huzur 'sra personality and knowledge. A representative of the Mayor of Washington, DC also attended the reception and gave a beautiful present to Huzur ra on behalf of the Mayor. A retired Army general, General Roland Delmar also attended the reception and was impressed with Huzur 's ra conversation on the subject of "World Peace. " The same day , a reception was given by Lajna Imaillah in honor of Hadhrat Mansoora Begum on the second floor of the Fazal Mosque. The reception was attended by a Khilafat Centenary large number of the female members of the family of the Promised Messiah a' and local American Ahmadi wo men. A farewell reception was held at the Shoreham Americana Hotel. This function was attended by 400 men and almost the same number of wo men , w ho were sitting in an adjacent hall and could hear Huzur 's ra address. Huzur ra spoke in English. A brief summary of what Huzur ra said is as follows: "After reciting Tashahhud, Ta'awwudh and Surah Al- Fatihah, Huzur ra recited the last ruku of Surah Al - Hashr. Then he explained that the basic foundation of this uni verse is the Unity of God Almighty. The fact of life is this basic foundation. If one loses connection with this basic reality, then one moves far away from the true purpose of life , It is essential for us to acquire knowledge about the limitless attributes of God Almighty, so that we can live a successful life. To establish this basic truth, and to establish the strong relationship of humanit y with God Almighty, the Hol y Prophet •aw was sent as a Prophet for the whole of mankind. Huzur ra explained the true meaning of how the Hol y Prophet' aw was a mercy for all mankind. He also explained the real purpose of the universe and of life in the universe. He further said that one must avoid copying blindl y what others are doing , and urged everyone to avoid following the morall y bankrupt Western society and values. Huzur ra left Washington for England on the evening of September 24, 1980. (The above material regarding Huzur 's ra tour of America in 1980 ha s been taken from a book in Urdu entitled, "Daurah - e- Maghrib" (Tour of the West), published by Nazarat Isha'at wa Tasneef, Rabwah, Pakistan, 1980) Demise of Hadhrat Mansoora Begum and Huzur's Second Marriage On December 3, 1981, Hadhrat Mansoora Begum, the first wife of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III ra passed away after a brief illness. On April 11, 1982, Huzur ra performed his second Nikah with Sayyeda Tahira Siddiqua. Demise of Huzurra Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III ra delivered his last Friday Sermon on May 21, 1982 at Rabwah. On May 23, he left for Islamabad. He fell ill on May 26, and passed away during the night of June 8 and 9, 1982 at 12:45 am. His body was brought from Islamabad to Rabwah on June 9th, and onJune 10th, Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IV r ta led his funeral prayer in the grounds of Bahishti Maq barah (Heavenly Graveyard). He was buried in Bahishti Maq barah next to Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih n ra. More than 100,000 Ahmadis took part in the funeral prayer.