The System of Mushawarat in Jama'at-e-Ahmadiyya — Page 121
T he S ystem of M ush A warat in J am A‘ at - e -A hmadiyya nated by various Jama'ats in view o f their ability and their competence in matters that were to be deliberated upon. There was no limit as to the number o f delegates, but as the Jama'at grew and people started taking greater interest in Mushawarat, it was considered necessary to set a limit. Referring to this need, Hudur said: “From this year some conditions have been, laid down under which the number o f delegates has been limited. Jama'ats are no longer free to nominate as many dele gates as they wish. And as our Jama'at increases further, even more restrictions might have to be imposed in the future. N o, indeed, it is not a matter o f ‘may’, this is sure to happen. The time w ill come when we w ill have to in vite delegates from districts or even provinces rather than from Jama'ats, for it w ill not be possible for Shura to ac commodate thousands o f people. When God causes our Jama'at to spread throughout the world, at that time rep resentatives w ill only be invited from various districts, provinces or even countries. The Jama'ats should not mind these restrictions, which are necessary, and the ne cessity is only going to increase. But as long as the small Jama'ats enjoy the privilege o f sending their delegates, they must exercise their right and should elect the most suitable people to represent them in Majlis-e-Shura. ” (Report Majlis-e-Shura 1940, pp. 4-7) This method o f selecting delegates is in place to this day. Only the number o f delegates varies according to the cir cumstances. Amirs o f the Jama'ats, by virtue o f their office, are mem bers o f the Shura, and so are the Companions o f the Promised Messiah35, because o f their privileged position. Various Departments o f the Central Anjumans are also 1 2 1