The System of Mushawarat in Jama'at-e-Ahmadiyya — Page 244
T he S ystem of M ushawarat m J am A‘ at - e -A hmadiyya Ahmadiyya, we would be encouraged to attend Musha warat, even though a child o f that age could not understand what was going on. There would also be other children o f my age with me, but no one would make any noise. It is wrong to hinder other people from the fulfilment o f their duties. If the Za’irin sitting on the back start making noise, the delegates w ill not be able to hear us, they w ill, therefore, become irritated and loose their attention. . . It is important to keep the new-comers abreast o f our tra ditions, and also to remind the older people who may forget. As I have said, what is right must be said without hesitation, but one must also refrain from talking unnec essarily. Do not address one another or talk to one another. It is I who have invited you for consultations, and it is to me you should offer your view s. Do not criti cize what someone else has said, offer your own point o f view and we w ill know that you hold a different view. Do not make noise and listen attentively. Do not speak out o f context and do not waste time. Keep praying as you listen. There are many things which cannot be done simultaneously, but what I am telling you can be done at one and the same time: your ears should be listening but in your heart you should be busy praying. These two things can be done simultaneously. Thus you should take part in the proceedings o f Musha warat praying to God for His favours, His blessings, and His mercy. May God accept our prayers. May all o f you go back to your homes fulfilled, both individually and as a Jama'at, and may you not return empty handed. ” [Report Majlis-e-Shura 1982, pp. 13-15] 244