My Mother — Page 117
Devotion and Sympathy 117 political organisation masquerading as a religious body—began to indulge in hostile demonstrations against the Movement and its members imagining that they could do so with impunity. In the summer of 1935 an Ahrari scalawag assaulted Sahibzadah Mirza Sharif Ahmad, younger brother of the Head of the Ahmadiyyah Movement, with a stick. News of this painful incident distressed Mother grievously. She was much concerned about its impact on Hazrat Ummul Momineen, and pined over it. One day she said to me, ‘I keep worrying over this grievous affair and cannot think of anything that I can do about it. Now an idea has occurred to me. I have prayed earnestly about it and I feel sure God will enable me to carry it out. ’ I asked her, ‘What are you thinking of ?’ ‘You know Lady Willingdon professes deep affection for me, and I feel that she has regard for me. If you would arrange for me to meet Lady Willingdon when the Viceroy could also be present, I could tell them how the Provincial Government is treating the Movement. Now the situation has deteriorated so much that an irresponsible youth has assaulted a son of the Promised Messiah. I am an old woman and am permitted a certain degree of freedom in the social sphere. I feel a strong urge to put my grievance to the Viceroy. ’ ‘I am sure a meeting could be arranged as desired by you. I would, of course, accompany you and act as interpreter. I have already mentioned this incident to the Viceroy. Now I shall con- vey to him whatever you may have to say. But you will have to say it yourself. I shall not add anything from myself. ’ ‘You have only to arrange the meeting. I am sure God will bestow upon me the understanding needed for the occasion. ’