The System of Mushawarat in Jama'at-e-Ahmadiyya — Page 179
T he S ystem of M ushawarat in jam A‘ at - e -A hmadiyya 1982, on the direction of Hadrat Khalifatul Maslh IVrh, Tehrik Jadid organized a one-day Majhs-e-Shura for foreign countries, in which some women were nomi nated as representatives by Hudur, and they directly addressed the house. In Majhs-e-Shura 1983, some women were not only nominated by Hudur as represen tatives, but were also permitted to express their opinions in the house. On this occasion, Hudur spoke about dif ferent aspects o f giving the right o f representation to women. He said: N “I wish to bring it to the notice o f the Jama'at that from this year the procedure o f representation for Lajna has been changed. Previously they were represented in Ma jlis-e-Shura by a male member who would convey their opinions. Although it was difficult for him to maintain. contact with the women, he would receive small chits from them, would try to understand what they wanted to say, and present their view s before the house. Background to the Decision on the Representation of Lajna: I have made a research into the matter and have learnt that it was in 1929 when this issue was first brought up in the Jama'at. Hadrat Khalifatul Maslh IIra put it before the Jama'at in Majlis-e-Shura 1929. Long discussions were held and eminent scholars o f the Jama'at were divided on this issue. The sub-committee voted with a small major ity in favour o f the right o f women to personally present their point o f view. The committee comprised 19 mem bers, 9 o f whom voted for the proposal and 9 against. The Chairman o f the committee voted in favour o f the proposal and it was, therefore, presented before the Shura for approval. The discussion which was held in the house 179