Truth Prevails — Page xi
( v ) be bridged… In spite of the hurdles created by these beliefs, on the part of the Qadian Section, the steady progress of that Section continues… My view is that the reason for lack of progress, on our side, lies in the fact that our Centre does not hold any attraction. We have, before us, a number of young men whose fathers, or grandfathers, were ardent members of the Movement; but that spirit and ardour seems to have flown out of their own hearts. ” (Address by Al-Hajj Sheikh Mian Muhammad, published in Paigham-i-Sulha , February 6, 1952, page 7, column 1) Now let us think. Why doesn’t their Centre hold any attraction for young men, whose fathers and grandfathers were devoted, ardent members of the Movement? As far as we have been able to see, the reason is their Centre lacks the attraction and magnetism of the person and office of a duly elected Khalifa as a strong focal point for the new and old followers of the Movement, a rallying cry, and a propellant force. The Lahore Section has given preference to an Anjuman over an elected head of the Movement, as the final supreme authority in all administrative affairs. The result is their administrative machinery has lost the sweetness and the authority of a compelling personality, and office to inspire sacrifice and endeavour. No wonder then that the inner content of the Movement, and the urge for a sustained endeavour has flown out of their hearts. Matters have reached a pass where even the experienced elders, on occasions, display defiance not discipline. In fact mature minds among them are found to concede that the administrative set up evolved by them has failed in its purpose. This is what one reads in a recent report from the General Secretary of their ideal, one might even say, their Idol Anjuman: Events and experience have borne out of the bitter reality that our success in the field of a proper propagation of the faith depends, in many ways, on the expansion of the Movement, and the strength we gain in numbers and material means available for work to be carried on. The great expectations we had fondly entertained in regard to our own peoples, the general body of the Muslims, that seeing the good work we were doing in the propagation of Islam, and our service to branches of knowledge connected with knowledge of the Holy Quran, they would gladly come forward, eager to join hands with us in these great works, have all proved to be the merest moonshine. (Report of the 52nd Annual Meeting of Ahmadiyya Anjuman Isha’at-i-Islam , page 5) Again we read on the next page: “For consolidation of the Movement, and for promoting goodwill and co-operation among members of the Movement the Promised Messiah had proposed that marriages of Ahmadi young men and women should take place in the membership of the