Perseverance — Page 31
Part II – My Life as a Muslim 31 and upon my repeated suggestions, M. M. Ahmad crystalized this desire into a scheme called The Zion Plan in 2001. The Zion Plan involves social service, preaching and awareness campaigns to engage the people of Zion with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Although activities had taken place in Zion throughout our history, there was no mission house until the early 1980s. Under the presidency of Dr. Sal ah -ud-D i n Shams, the eldest son of Hadrat Maul a n a Jal a l-ud-D i n Shams ra , the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community purchased the first mission house in Zion, Illinois. Dr. Shams was, therefore, the first president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Zion. CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE KHALIFAH R A I sought a higher meaning in my life and the key to unlocking this higher meaning was education. I wanted to dedicate my life to this Faith. I wrote to the Second Caliph ra expressing my interest to pursue higher education and to dedicate my life. I expressed my desire to visit and attain the necessary training. I received the following reply: Rattan Bagh Mr. Rashid Ahmad Lahore Pakistan 4448 S. Wabash Avenue 24 th of April 1949 Chicago 15, Ill. Dear Brother Rashid Ahmad, Assalaamu Alaikum.