The System of Mushawarat in Jama'at-e-Ahmadiyya — Page 127
Chapter IV E ligibility for R epresentation in S hura P rocedure for R epresentation In 1922, when the first regular Majlis-e-Shura was held, the total number o f delegates, including representatives from Markaz, was 82. The next year this number rose to 128. In 1924 an even larger number o f delegates took part in Majlis-e-Mushawarat. The procedure for electing delegates for Shura was also discussed on this occasion. Since the system of Shura was still in a nascent stage, Hadrat Musleh-e-Mau‘udra made the following decision in this regard: “The question is: how should the members be elected? Should the present system be continued or should the • delegates be nominated for a period o f three years? Since we are still at a very early stage, the latter option can be set aside. We may not be able to find many people who can make themselves available for three successive years. At present anyone who is available is sent, and though this may not be very desirable, it is better not to put too many restrictions on the Jama'at considering its present state. What we can consider, however, is that the person who has been nominated by a Jama'at w ill continue to represent it in the Shura until the following year. I believe this is not a very important matter, and we have had enough discussion over it, so let me just outline the various suggestions that have come up. (1) Jama'ats should again be reminded that they should elect their representatives for the period o f one year. 127