Khuddam USA Souvenir 1989 — Page 11
HAZRAT MIRZA NASIR AHMAD, K. HALIFATUL MASIH III, MAY ALLAH BE PLEASED WITH HIM He was the eldest son of Hazrat Khalifalul Masih II, born on November 15, 1909, fulfilling the prophesy of the Promised Messiah that he will be bestowed with a grand- son He was elected the third successor to the Promised Messiah (1965) after the demise of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih 11. He was the first khalifa to visit the North American iama'ats (1976). He passed away in 1982 after leading the community for 17 years. He had memorited the whole Arabic text of the Holy Quran by April 17, 1922, when he was only 12 years old earning the honor of being a hafiz of the Quran. He was the third topmost student when he passed the Maulv1 Fazil exam in 1929 He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in 1934 and left for England for higher education in eco- nomics. He earned a Master's degree from Oxford. While in London, he initiated quarterly publication of Al Islam. He was an outstanding educator and initiated many programs and functions contributing to educational and literary activities. He served Jame'a Ahmadiyya as pro- fessor (1938) and then as its Principal (1939-44). He served the Tahmul Islam High School as its Headmaster He served the Talimul Islam College as its Principal (1944-65). First Urdu Conference was held at Tahmul Islam College during this period (1964). He was a mem- ber of the University Academic Council (1945- 46). First na'tiya musha'era was held at Rabwah in 1975 where famous poets from various denominations read their poems in the praise of the Holy Prophet, may peace be upon him. He announced a scholarship scheme for outstanding students the same year. To enc:ourage and reward excellence in education, he started a ·scheme to bestow medals on Ahmadi students showing distin- guished performance in higher education Text book redistribution program was initiated in 1982 to help the needy students. At the partition of the subcontinent (194 7), he played an important role in the safe exit of Ahmadis at Qadian to Pakistan. He served in the Furqan Force for the cause of the freedom of the Muslims of Kashmir (1948) He served the youth in many capacities and helped initiate and organize healthy activities for them He was the president of the MaJhS Khuddamul Ahmadiyya from 1939 to 1949 and vice president from 1949 to 1954 while Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II himself was the president. All Pakistan Basketball Tournaments started taking place at Rabwah in 1958. The name was changed to Nasir Basketball Tournament in the recognition of his efforts in this cause. In 1972 the first horse race tournament was held at Rabwah. In 1973 he initiated the move to attain expertise in bicycling and slingshot. lie was the president of Majlis Ansarullah (1954 - 66) and president of Sadr Aniuman Ahmad1yya (1955- 65). Served as Afsar Jalsa Salana (1959- 65). Aller his visit to West Afnca in 1970, he announced the details of the Nusrat Jahan Scheme Numerous schools and hospitals were established in a number of West African countries under this scheme. These institutions serve the physical and intellectual needs of these third world countries. He announced a plan for the celebration of the first hundred years of Ahmadiyya community in 1 97 4 under which this special issue is being published. (Co mpiled by Syed Sapd Ahmad) Khuddam- ul -Ahmadiyya USA. - I I