First Grain of Sand — Page 134
118 FIRST GRAIN OF SAND to keep an eye on me. I responded by telling him that the very day he entered the prison cell, my God informed me that he had come for me. He then proceeded to advise me that I should submit a written request to meet with the prison's new Colonel and tell him everything about me. The spy had now become positive and kind towards me. As he suggested, I immediately submitted the request, and the Colonel called me to visit him that night. It was a small room, inside of which were the translator who was my friend and sup- porter, as well as two officers, including the new Colonel who had spoken to me kindly the last time I was summoned to answer questions. As soon as I sat down on the chair, the Colonel took out a cigarette and offered it to me. I said I don't smoke but fol- lowed that with Спасибо! [pronounced Spa-see-ba], meaning 'Thanks. ' When I met him this time, since I held the belief that the new Colonel believes that I am not a spy, I told him right away that I wish he would take me to his lodging for me to stay there. To this he said in a positive manner that I am still in prison, which means he cannot do that according to their law. I then told them that my master, the Imam of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, has sent young missionaries to many differ- ent countries these days. As a result, we now have our Movement established in countries such as Germany, the United States, England, Iran, and others, and our missionaries are able to freely preach the message of Islam and remain loyal to the country in which they currently reside. I told him that, likewise, my master sent me to this country having good faith in the government that, like the other countries, it would not restrict us from preaching God Almighty's religion and would treat our missionaries well.