The System of Mushawarat in Jama'at-e-Ahmadiyya — Page 202
T he S ystem of M ushawarat in J ama ‘ at - e -A hmadiyya Musleh-e-Mau‘udra said: “Our members should get into the habit o f speaking in a more dignified and God-fearing manner. But it has been observed that some delegates, without taking into account the fact that I have already made a decision, say that it re quires amendment. Even in worldly governments, nothing is said against the decision o f the Chairman. Although those people may have no loyalty or religious reverence for their Chairman, and in their hearts they may even call him stupid, but they still show regard for his decisions. The members o f our Jama'at, on the other hand, are quite sincere and devoted, and they only commit such errors due to ignorance o f the etiquette. This has not happened before, but this time I feel as if some o f them consider me to be one o f the Nazirs, whereas in fact the Khalifa is for everybody and not for any particular group. He treats everyone equally. He does not represent any particular Department, and is equally attached to all members o f the Jama'at. You, therefore, need to observe the etiquette laid down by the Shariah in such matters. The Promised Messiah3 3 once began a series o f lectures for women, but when he heard them making noise, he decided to discon tinue the lectures for the women were not paying due attention. It is, therefore, important to bear in mind the eti quette o f Khilafat and o f meetings. ” [Report Majlis-e-Shura 1928, p. 137] T h e K h a l i f a A l o n e s h o u l d b e A d d r e s s e d It has already been mentioned that the delegates should participate in Majlis-e-Shura with an open mind, and to offer their opinions in a brief and rational manner. They should not address one another and should not repeat the 2 0 2