USA Souvenir 1989 — Page 3
message continues unto divergent paths and conflicting ideologies? That was the preplexing question addressed by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian under Divine Guidance and revelation. It was revealed to him that all the prophecies regarding the advent of various reformers were no doubt true. They, however, implied that only a single claimant would be raised who would combine in his person the qualities, roles, and spritual powers of all the great World Reformers whose advent had been promised. Indeed, he would be a soldier of God wearing the garbs of different prophets. He also proclaimed that the religion chosen by Almighty God for the universal and final manifestation of His unity was Islam. Thus, in accordance with the Divine command, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad claimed to be that Global Reformer who was destined to be raised in Islam in complete subordination to the Prophet Muhammad - the last Law-bearing prophet- may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. It was an astonishing claim. It was even more astonishing that this solitary voice, raised from a small, unknown village, seemingly insignificant to the world at large, was heeded at all. Some responded to this call with complete faith and devotion. There were many others who raised a storm of hostility, the like of which has seldom been witnessed in the history of mankind. His followers were subjected to extreme persecution. they were deprived of religious freedom and fundamental human rights. Laws were even enacted in some countries rendering Ahmadis liable to severe punishment and prosecution for the mere act of professing and practicing their faith. Yet, this phenomenal opposition utterly failed to arrest the progress of Ahmadiyyat. On the contrary, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is marching forward even faster today than ever before. All the hostile fanatics, be they Hazrat Khalifatul Ma si h IV addres s es American audience Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV addresses European audience 3