The System of Mushawarat in Jama'at-e-Ahmadiyya — Page 242
THE S ystem of M ushawarat in J ama ‘ at - e -A hmadiyya S eating A rrangements for D elegates With regard to the seating arrangements, Hadrat Musleh- e-Mau‘udra said that representatives from each district should sit together, so that they may consult one another when giving their opinion. [Report Majlis-e-Shiira 1950, p. 45] In accordance with these instructions, it has become a tradition o f Shura that the chairs o f representatives are organized district-wise. The arrangements are altered every year so that representatives o f every district get a chance to sit in front o f the stage in rotation. F ollow G ood T raditions The great traditions established by Hadrat Musleh-e- M au‘udra were carried forward by the Khulafa who suc ceeded him. During the first Majlis-e-Shura o f his era, Hadrat Khallfatul Masih IIIrh explained the philosophy behind these traditions: “It is the sign o f progressive nations that the lessons they learn during their lives are moulded into traditions. They stick to the good traditions and forge ahead embracing these assets o f the past. Every day o f their life brings a fresh lesson, and if it is a positive and enduring lesson, they mould it into a new tradition and thus the traditions keep growing. They keep marching towards the future, making conscious use o f the past and preserving their present experiences. The Za’irin sitting in the rear should remain silent. I want to tell those o f you who have come here for the first time about the etiquette o f this Majlis. 242