Bright Lights of the Ahmadiyya Movement — Page 42
42 BRIGHT LIGh TS OF THE AHMAOIYYA MOVE MEW and spiritual growth by joining members together in loving brotherhood and sisterhood. These associations make the Community strong. He set up an Electoral College to elect the new Khalifa, under Allah 's guidance, whenever the previous Khalifa passed away from this life. Huzoor was very concerned about educationg the women and girls of the community and he himself set up classes for them to learn to read and write, to study the Holy Quran in Arabic and to learn Hadith and English. The women learned to vote in political elections in their districts. He taught his male and female followers to stop thinking so much about jewelry and clothes and theaters. In his wise way, he patiently explained to them that as the Communi- ty could not foresee all future events, it was important that they try to make the Ahmadiyya Community financially secure. Khalifatul Masih II was very careful about the moral upbringing of all children, especially Ahmadi children. There are many examples in his life which show his feelings about children, women and poor people. One day his wife bought a beautiful new carpet which she liked very much. A poor woman from the village came to visit Huzoor. Her bare feet were streaked with mud. She entered the house and sat on the carpet. Huzoor's wife didn't say a word, but there may have been something in her silence which caught his attention. When the woman left, Huzoor told his wife that she had better put that carpet away somewhere else because he did not want it to come between him and his people. Huzoor's daughter Sahibzadi Amatul Qayyum Ahmad recalled her childhood with her father. She said, "As a child I had the impression that Allah talked to him even as you and I are talking together. He was firm and strict, but friendly with all of his children. He checked on our daily Prayers, especially in the morn- ings. He liked outdoor life and often took us on shooting excursions for ducks, partridges and a large water bird which is called " mug" in Urdu. Even the girls