Perseverance — Page 117
Part II – My Life as a Muslim 117 DECEMBER 11, 1954 My expected departure from Rabwah to America was December 11, 1954. Mr. Kunze and I were expected to leave Rabwah for Europe together. Mr. Kunze went to Hazrat S a hib ra to talk. Huzoor ra said “Mr. Rashid has written me that he will be leaving Rabwah en route to his country on December 12, 1954 and you say that you are leaving Rabwah on the 11 th of December. There is only one day between your departure and Mr. Rashid’s. ” When Mr. Kunze related that story, I tried to make my program with Mr. Kunze for the 11 th but my work was making this difficult, combined with the statement of the station master of Rabwah. He said there are about five or six people leaving Rabwah on the 11 th of December en route to Karachi traveling second class, and this will make my booking for a seat very difficult. He advised me to wait one day later for travel. With the other things going on, I accepted this statement and on the 10 th made my program to leave on the 12 th. On the day of the 11 th the whole of Rabwah came out to see Mr. Kunze and me leave. Hazrat S a hib ra along with his wife and other family members came out to the station to see us off. When he arrived at the station he asked Mr. Kunze, “Where is Mr. Rashid?” Someone said that Mr. Rashid is not going today. Huzoor ra asked why. The person said that he was not able to get his seat booked. Then Huzoor ra asked why, this could have been arranged. I was at the station but did not meet Huzoor ra. When Mr. Kunze left, I went to see Huzoor ra that evening. I met him coming out of his house. I said As-Sal a mu ‘Alaykum. He said Wa ‘Alaykum-us-Sal a m. I said Huzoor ra I am leaving tomorrow