Fazl-e-Umar — Page 261
Fazle Umar 261 Abdur Rahman sahib, Amir of the Community at Qadian, who had been elected a member of the Municipal Committee of Qadian, was later elected President of the Municipal Committee by his non-Muslim colleagues on the Committee, and dis- charged his duties as President to the entire satisfaction of everyone. The Community in Qadian is the only Muslim Community in the Indian Province of the Punjab. It has throughout, in adversity and in comparative prosperity, most worthily upheld the banner of Islam and Ahmadiyyat and has illustrated, in practice, the highest standard of moral and spiritual values inculcated by Islam. Needless to say there is complete accord between Qadian and Rabwah, each in turn complements and supplements the other. The shifting of the world headquarters of the Movement from Qadian to Rabwah that became inevitable in the middle of the terrible holocaust of the summer and autumn of 1947, was certainly a part of the Divine design and was accepted as such by the Community. The prophecies relating to that event have unfolded their purpose over the years, they also indicated, very clearly, that Qadian would, once again, become the world headquarters of the Movement. When and how that would be brought about is within the knowledge of God alone, but that it will be brought about is a certainty that cannot fail to be consummated. On arrival in Lahore on the last day of August 1947, the Khalifatul Masih was confronted with many urgent problems. Despite his preoccupation with them, and his constant nagging anxiety with regard to the rapidly deteriorating situation in Qadian, he felt he should give expression to his appraisal of the questions that needed the attention of not only those who were in positions of authority in Pakistan, but also of all intelligent Pakistanis. Public opinion needed to be enlightened and to be led into practical channels so that it could make its due contribution towards shaping policies and putting them into effect. With this purpose in mind, he delivered a series of addresses in Lahore, each under the presidency of a notable public personality,