Life of Ahmad — Page 773
as THE WHITE MINARET 773 Western countries would be dispelled by the spiritual sun which would appear in the East. So Ahmad as decided (28. 5. 1900) to give the fulfillment of this prophecy a concrete shape. To visualise it he began the construction of a White Minaret in Qadian which is situated to the east of Damascus. The White Minaret is peculiarly fitted to commemorate this grand prophecy. Ahmad as lays down its aims and objects as follows: (1) The Mu’adhdhin should call out the Adh a n from it five times every day and thus it may be loudly proclaimed throughout the world that there is only one God and that He alone is worthy to be worshipped and that He is Living and shows His signs even now. (2) Bright lamps shall be fixed on the top of the Minaret to dispel darkness and enlighten the world. People should know that it is the age of heavenly light and spiritual advancement. (3) A clock shall be fitted on the top to strike the hours of the day for the benefit of the people. It shall indicate that the present is the time when the doors of heaven are open and that there is no need of any holy war with the sword. In short, the White Minaret is the ensign of peace which proclaims the advent of the prince of peace. On the first of July 1900, Ahmad as appealed for funds and proposed that the names of all those who contribute towards the construction of the Minaret would be written on the Minaret so that the coming generations might know them and remember them in