USA Souvenir 1989 — Page 2
SPECIAL CENTENNIAL MESSAGE ( This is a special message of Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, the Supreme Spiritual llead of the world-wide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community delivered by him on the auspicious day marking the commencement of the Centennial Thanksgiving Celebrations all the world over. We feel proud in reproducing this historic message for our readers). One hundred years ago today, an amazing event took place in an obscure and tiny hamlet (Qadian), in the province of the Punjab, India. It was an event which was destined to change the course of history. There appeared a religious leader specifically commissioned by God to lead mankind as the Promised Reformer of the latter days. His name was Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835 - 1908), the Founder of the world-wide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He laid the basis for the unification of mankind in a unique manner. He resolved the conflicts and paradoxes prevailing in the religious world regarding the advent of a global Reformer. The followers of all great religions - Jews, Christians, Muslims , Hindus, Buddhists, Zoroastrians , and Confucians - anxiously awaited the advent of a Promised Reformer, as predictd in their holy scriptures. The Jews expected the Messiah to rejuvinate Judaism; the Christians claimed that the second advent of Jesus would bring nigh the Kingdom of Heaven; the Muslims believed that the Messiah and Mahdi would JOln forces to bring about the final renaissance of Islam; the Hindus awaited the coming of God himself in the form of Kirshna ; and, the Buddhists were hopefully awaiting the reincarnation of Buddha. How could God send different Messengers simultaneously - each calling on the same God in his own diverse way - inviting mankind 2 The Supreme Spiritual Head of the world-wide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community HAZRAT MIRZA TAHIR AHMAD KHALIF ATUL MASIH IV (may Allah be his Help)