The System of Mushawarat in Jama'at-e-Ahmadiyya — Page 103
T he S ystem of M ushawarat in J ama ‘ at - e -A hmadiyya that are placed here, rather its real importance is that which it has in the eyes o f Allah. Can anyone say that the Holy Prophetsa was honoured because o f the dress he wore? N o, indeed, his honour was due to the status Allah had bestowed on him. Although at present our M ajlis-e- Shura does not enjoy any importance in the world, a time comes when the members o f the greatest Parliaments o f the world shall not have the status which the delegates o f this ShurS shall have, for all Parliaments shall be under it. Membership o f Shura is a great honour and time comes when kings shall be proud o f its membership. The Jama'at needs to realize its importance even more, and it should be called twice a year so that the issues can be de liberated upon. ” [Report Majlis-e-Shura 1928, p. 14] The importance o f Majlis-e-Shura can also be seen from the emphasis that is placed on participation in its sub committees. During Majlis-e-Mushawarat 1956, Hadrat Khalifatul Maslh IIra said: “It is only 34 years since the process o f consultation formally began in our Jama'at, but the British have been doing this for the last one thousand years. We have never heard o f their members absenting themselves; they, in fact, consider it an honour to attend the sessions o f Par liament and participate in its proceedings with enthusiasm. But the situation here is that some members o f a committee, which had been set up to discuss an im portant issue o f the Jama'at, did not turn up for the meeting. It would seem that they consider it an honour to attend the meetings o f the District Board, but do not care for the meetings o f the Jama'at. A believer, on the con 103