Khilafat Centenary Souvenir 1908-2008 — Page 187
Ahmadiyyat in America Through the Eyes of Lajna lmaillah -~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DLShID~Bu~Sa~Lajn~USA Who will be my helpers in the cause of Allah? We are the helpers of Allah. We have believed in Allah. And bear thou witness that we are obedient. 3:53 In the 1990s , Khalifatul Masih IV, Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadr 1 •, asked Lajna-USA to document their history from the early da ys till 2000. Special appreciation goes to sisters Nycemah Yaqub, Fatima Haneef Mahmood and Shakura Nooriah who began the research and compilation during the late 1990's and early 2000's, to sister Shazia Ahmad for translating accounts from the "History of Lajna Imaillah", compiled by Hadhrat Syedna Maryam Siddiqa, Sadr Lajna Imaillah Markazia (central) and to sisters Tanvir Ahmad, Asma Siddiqui and Samrah Ahmad for their compilations since 2003. Ahmadiyyat was introduced in the USA during the Depression era, between the years 1920-1940, when unemployment was common and money was hard to come by. This brief account illustrates the active role that the early American Ahmadi women played in firmly establishing Ahmadiyyat on American soil, and provides the readers with some examples of their enormous dedication and sacrifice as they laid down the foundation for Lajna Imaillah-USA to take small and steady steps forward into the 21st century. Early Sewing Circles Attracted New Converts (1920-1940) Even though Dr. Mufti Muhammad Sadiq brought the message of Ahmadiyyat to USA in 1920, American Ahmadi women were not introduced to the name, "Lajna lmaillah" and its concepts for another 15 years. However, the ideals of Lajna Imaillah had taken root in America long before the introduction of its name. It blossomed in spirit, and was exemplified in the work of American Ahmadi women, through prayer, study of the Holy Qur'an and the love of God. Though Dr. Mufti Muhammad Sadiq stayed in America for only three years, he established Ahmadiyyajama'ats in nine cities (Detroit, Chicago, Toledo, Cleveland, Columbus, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Indiana and New York). From 1920-1922, when Dr. Sadiq started preaching, many of the converts were white with several being of Syrian or other Middle Eastern descent from the Detroit area. Toward the end of his mission, he attracted a large number of African Americans and by the 1930's and 1940's, the Jama 'ats in these regions were primarily African American. Around that time, a few Indian Ahmadis also settled there. The women started "sewing circles" as a mechanism to promote Islamic studies, congregational prayer, creating handicrafts for fund-raising purposes, and for building sisterhood through socialization. African Americans were the main members of the Ahmadiyya Movement and even though they were not wealthy, they had a large heart and would contribute generously for the welfare and upkeep of the Ahmadiyya Movement, at home and abroad. Later in the 1930s and 40s, with fund-raising bake sales and craft sales, the women used the funds to pay Mission House bills and other property needs. Women played a key role in financial contributions from their personal funds (called monthly dues or 'chanda'), as well as their collective funds from Sewing Circle activities. After the Central Lajna Imaillah was established in India, the American Ahmadis were asked to raise Rs 50,000 (approximately$ 1000. 00) to build a mosque in Berlin, Germany. Within a short time Ahmadi women raised Rs 70,000. However, due to unavoidable circumstances, the Mosque could not be built in Berlin and the funds were used to build the Fazal Mosque in London, England. From 1928 to 1935, Sufi Mateeh-ur-Rehman Bengali M. A. Missionary USA, instructed women in the teachings of Islam, the Arabic primer, prayers and the Holy Qur'an. In 1935 when he returned from India, he mentioned in his speech at the J alsa Salana, that currently, Lajna Imaillah has been started in