The System of Mushawarat in Jama'at-e-Ahmadiyya — Page 226
T he S ystem of M ushawarat in J ama ‘ at - e -A hmadiyya D etermining the D ates for S hura Majlis-e-Shura is now usually held in the month of March, as decided by Hadrat Musleh-e-Mau‘udra. In 1958 Mushawarat was held on 25-26 April. On this oc casion, Hudur said: “This time Shura has been convened in an extremely hot month. Had it been held a month earlier, it would have done no harm, and the participants would not have to en dure such heat. Before the Partition, Shura was held in this season to coincide with the Easter holidays, so that the delegates would not have to obtain special leave from their jobs. But now the situation has changed. There are no longer any holidays for Easter, and the delegates have to get leave anyway. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to hold Shura during these days. It can now be held dur ing the month o f March, and the delegates w ill not have to endure such heat. ” [Report Majlls-e-Shura 1959, p. 2] T he O pening S ession When Hadrat Khallfatul Masih, or the Chair appointed by him, steps into the auditorium, all the delegates, who are already seated in their respective places, stand up in his honour. W hen Hudur occupies his chair they resume their seats. The session starts with recitation from the Holy Quran, which is followed by collective silent prayer. Hadrat Musleh-e-Mau‘udra would sometimes say some prayers aloud in his own words before the silent prayer. For instance, on one occasion Hudur said: “In keeping with the traditions o f Shura, and as matter o f necessity, before we begin the Shura I would like friends 226