Mosques around the World — Page 125
Representing 115 nationalities living in 84 countries. . . 204. 308. INDIVIDUALS SIMULTANEOUSLY joined the fold of Islam at the hand of. Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IVaba during the First International. Bai'at on August 1, 1993 at the U. K. Jalsa Salana (Annual Gathering). The first International Bai'at, August 1, 1993. Representatives from five continents placed their hands under the right hand of Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IVaba. One of the Five Representatives observed. . . (y participation in the 1993 Jalsa Salana, U. K. , was in a private capacity. I had requested Hazoor for a leave on personal grounds which he had graciously granted. I came to attend this Jalsa from Nigeria in West Africa where I was serving as a missionary, on transfer from Australia. When I came to the Jalsa, I had absolutely no idea of what surprise was in store for me there-I was sitting in the main marquis of the Jalsa when a loudspeaker announcement unexpectedly reached my ears, that, I should come to the stage immediately. . I was wondering what could be the purpose of this urgent summon. Then, on reaching the stage, I was told that Hazoor has chosen me to represent the continent of Australia (or more correctly, the whole region of Australasia), for the International. Bai'at. It was a big surprise to me, and then the surprise gave way to thrill at the prospect of my being 'one' of the 'five' fortunate Ahmadis in the world selected to hold Hazoor's hand. My participation that requested Salazna, U. K. , was in a hmadiyya Muslim Association USA: 1994 Souvenir in the first ever historic global bai'at. I said to myself, 'God is. Great. ' Hazoor had given the occasion a great spiritual touch by referring to the Quranic verse: 'The hand of Allah is over their hands. ' (48:11). This had a profound effect upon me. Then there came the. Bai'at Ceremony and a train of hands behind me, which I imagined to be electronically reaching the ends of the earth. It was no doubt a great moment. After the Bai'at, I even ventured to touch the blessed green coat of the Promised. Messiahas, which Hazoor wore for the occasion. Among the people who congratulated me were two elders of the Jama'at, who said to me, 'This blessing could not be had with any personal effort. ' This, too, had a great impact on me, and I said to myself, How true it was !. . . I had done nothing to receive this honor. . Shakil Ahmad Monir, Missionary to Nigeria 125