Khilafat Centenary Souvenir 1908-2008 — Page 147
General Hospital in North Bergen, New Jersey, where he eventually became the Chairman of the Radiology Department. In 1991 he left Palisades General Hospital to join a private practice. He is still working there today. In 2003, Dr. Zafar was appointed Amir of the Jama'at US after Sahibzada Mirza Muzaffar Ahmad passed away and has served in this post since that time. Through his work with thejama'at, his reflections on the relationship between man and God , which began so many years ago in Gilgit, have evolved into a deeper understanding of the mystery. Much of this evolution is stimulated by the writings of the Promised Messiah as which he tries to incorporate into his every day life. Amir Sahib believes the teachings of the Promised Messiah as reflect the divine and as such are not only universal but relevant to contemporary life. The inherent challenge in understanding God is that He is not readily accessible to us but we are readily accessible to Him. Because of this discrepancy we require ways to understand Him, not only through worship, but through the ways He displays Himself in human interactions. Since immigrating to the US, Amir Sahib has read the New York Times almost every day. As proof of this one need look no further than the floor of the backseat of his car. He remembers reading an article soon after he came to this country in the late 60's about a man who took his son out every winter in one of the New York boroughs to distribute food to the homeless. The image of a father teaching his son empathy and compassion, by example and participation struck a chord that remains with him even now. Amir Sahib believes part of our enjoyment in helping other people is that it allows us, in some measure, to emulate the role of God. Subsequently we understand His perspective better which enriches our relationship with Him. Naturally we seek to share such specific experiences with our children so that they may better their understanding of God. Sometimes, simply the process of sharing time with our children provides further illustration of the relationship between man and God. Since the arrival of his grandson, Abrahim Kashef, Amir Sahib has watched Kashef struggle to learn and express himself. In this struggle, Amir Sahib sees the similarity between the relationship of baby and parent and of man and God. When a baby cries out for basic needs, such as food or comfort, his or her parent(s) rush to take care of the child. Similarly, when man feels he has no options before him he cries to God in utter need and He, in turn, rushes to help His creation. The actions of caring for a baby or helping the less fortunate illustrate basic human interactions. We perform them instinctually without ascribing any higher purpose or thought. However, their significance lies in that they mirror the relationship of man and God in a way that is personal and therefore meaningful. By understanding these human interactions in such a light one feels closer to Allah. Amir Sahib sees this as Allah's way of revealing some of His dimensions to us. This nature of revelation has inspired him to find a deeper relationship with God and an enhanced understanding of Ahmadiyya. He hopes that others in the Jama' at will find similar inspiration through actively searching for insight in the every day, as well as through prayer and reading. 147