The Promised Son — Page 35
35 The Statesman As early as 1917, Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad ra was involved in international affairs. In those days India was still a British colony and as such was ruled by the British Government. In a session of the British Parliament on 20 August 1917 it was announced that the transfer of some of the responsibilities for the government of India will be passed to the Indians. In this regard a delegation of offi- cials from the British Government came to Delhi for further discussions on how to move the process forward. Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad ra was invited by the British delegation to present the views of the Jama’at that he led. Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad ra had prepared an address but despite being conver- sant in English he asked Chaudhry Muhammad Zafrulla Khan ra to present the address to the delegation. The address was very warmly received by the British and they fully sup- ported many of the points contained within it. The sen- ior members of the delegation, the Secretary of State for India, and the Viceroy, then held separate meetings with Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad ra where he expounded his views. All parties were fully satisfied with the discussions. Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad ra fol- lowed in the Promised Messiah’s as footsteps and was very strict in making sure that the Jama’at complied with the laws