A’ouzo billahi min-aash-shaitan-ir-rajeem… Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

With immense pleasure and submission to Almighty Allah, this is to inform you all that the Initiation of Centenary Celebration of Bangladesh was held on Sunday, 25th November, 2012 as the first collective Baiat was started in Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh on 25th November, 1912. I have attached herewith a report on this occasion. Establishment of Jama’at’s Nizam/institution was started from 1913.

Celebration of Centenary of Initiation of Collective Baiat in Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Bangladesh

Bangladesh is fortunate to have two Sahabis (Companions) of Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi (AS) who accepted Ahmadiyya in 1905 and 1906. Hadhrat Ahmad Kabir Noor Muhammad sahib (Ra.) of Anwara police station of Chittagong received the message regarding the advent of Imam Mahdi (AS) while he was residing at Burma. He then went to Qadian to personally examine the matter and being satisfied he took Baiat at the holy hand of Hadhrat Masih Maud (AS) in 1905. Similarly, Hadhrat Raisuddin Khan sahib (Ra.) of Nagergaon village of Kishoreganj district received the news while he was serving as Post Master in Burma. Then he also went to Qadian and accepted Ahmadiyyat at the hand of Hadhrat Masih Maud (AS) in 1906 and later his wife Begum Azizatunnissa saheba (Ra.) accepted Ahmadiyyat in 1907. In 1908 Janab Abdul Khaleque Magistrate sahib of Bharatpur, Murshidabad (now under West Bengal, India) and in 1909 Khan Sahib Maulvi Mubarak Ali sahib of Bogra, Bangladesh also accepted Ahmadiyyat. Later Khan Sahib Maulvi Mubarak Ali sahib was made Missionary, first in London in 1920 and later in Germany in 1922 by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (Ra.).

However, the institution of Nizam-e-Jama’at or formal establishment of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in Bangladesh was established in 1913 at Brahmanbaria. Earlier, on 8th November, 1912, Hadhrat Maolana Syed Abdul Wahed sahib (Rahe.), who was a great Islamic scholar of this sub-continent and a resident of Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh took Baiat at the holy hand of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih I (Ra.) at Qadian. Hadhrat Maolana sahib returned to his own land Brahmanbaria town on 22nd November, 1912 and openly declared about his acceptance of Ahmadiyyat. As he was the Chief Imam of Brahmanbaria Central Jame Masjid and Head Maolana of local Annada High School, he called people to accept Imam Mahdi and announced that he is going to take Baiat of people on behalf of Khalifatul Masih on 25th November, 1912. This created a mixed reaction among the people and a good number of his followers (as he was also a Peer) accepted Ahmadiyyat on that day, at the same time lot of people went against him. Within a short period of time a large number of populations of Brahmanbaria and surrounding villages accepted Ahmadiyyat.

Hadhrat Maolana Syed Abdul Wahed sahib (ra)

To commemorate this historical occasion and express our profound gratitude to Almighty Allah, a special program was organized on 25th November, 2012 at Masjidul Mahdi, the first Ahmadiyya Mosque built by Hadhrat Maolana Syed Abdul Wahed sahib (Ra.) at his residential complex at Maulvipara of Brahmanbaria town about one hundred years ago.

Muhtaram National Ameer Mobasher ur Rahman sahib and his National Majlis Amela, Ameers and Presidents of Local Jama’ats and Murabbian and Muallemeen from different Jama’at of Bangladesh took part in this blessed occasion in hundreds. Many other Ahmadis also participated individually in this blessed program. The program started on early morning of 25th November, 2012 with offering of Tahajjud Prayers at 4:00 A.M. lead by Murabbi Silsila Maolana Muhammad Solaiman at the century old small mosque “Masjidul Mahdi” which is still almost in its original form.

Due to large number of attendees, separate arrangements were made outside the mosque to accommodate people. After Tahajjud prayers, Muhtaram National Ameer sahib led the Fajr Prayer and delivered Darsul Qur’an from the relevant Chapter of the Holy Qur’an: “Sura Jumua” sitting on the century old Mimbar used by Syed Abdul Wahed sahib. After the Dars and collective silent prayers sweets were distributed among the members and guests. Then all went to visit (ziarat) the graveyard of Hadhrat Sayed sahib, situated adjacent to the mosque and offered silent prayers.

Tahajjud Prayers inside the century old mosque.

Tahajjud prayers outside the mosque

Darsul Qur’an by National Ameer sahib.

Ameer sahib delivering Dars sitting on Century Old Mimber

After the ziarat, a program was held inside the mosque conducted by MTA, Bangladesh, where Muhtaram National Ameer sahib spoke on the significance of the day and our responsibilities. After that many participants including descendants of Maolana Syed Abdul Wahed sahib and other pioneers spoke and expressed their feelings one by one. Among them, Syed Mumtaz Ahmad the grandson of Hadhrat Maolana Syed Abdul Wahed sahib and the eldest son of late Maolana Syed Ijaz Ahmad sahib, (Murrabbi Silsila) spoke on behalf of the family. Among others Prof. Meer Mubashsher Ali, Naib National Ameer and grandson of Prof. Abdul Latif sahib (one of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Bangladesh the pioneers), Maolana Abdul Awwal Khan Chowdhury, Muballigh In-charge and descendant of Syed Abdul Wahed sahib (from mother’s side), Ameer sahib Dhaka Muhtaram Afzal Ahmad Khadim, son of late Advocate Ghulam Samdani Khadim sahib (who accepted Ahmadiyyat in 1914-15) and nephew of late Ghulam Mawla Khadim sahib (accepted Ahmadiyyat in 1912-13), National Secretary Finance Hamidur Rahman sahib, the youngest son of late Allama Zillur Rahman sahib (who was 100th in number of initial Mubayeen and father of Advocate Mujeeb ur Rahman sahib, now in Pakistan), and representatives of different Jama’ats spoke and expressed their feelings.

Muhammad Jahagir Babul, National Secretary and the Historian of Ahmadiyyat in Bangladesh gave a short speech from historical aspects. Two guests from Pakistan who were on personal visit to Dhaka also joined us expressed their feelings. They were: Sheikh Sayeedullah sb, an Ahmadi businessman from Pakistan and another Janab Shamsi sahib now living at London. Muhammad Ehsanul Habib Joy presented a self-composed Nazm (poem) on centenary celebration along with Sibgatur Rahman Mukul and Menhaz Uddin Thakur (Alak). The program continued till 7:45 A.M. It was an excellent and faith-inspiring historical session. Ahmad Tabshir Choudhury, In-charge MTA Bangladesh and National Secretary Audio Video conducted the session supported by MTA volunteers: Naser Ahmad, Nasiruzzaman Tipu, S.M. Shumon Ahmad and Jasim Uddin.

Ameer sahib unveiling the Centenary Logo

At 8:00 A.M. Muhtaram Mobasherur Rahman sahib, National Ameer unveiled the Centenary Logo of Bangladesh. National Ameer sahib also explained the significance of the Logo designed. This short program was conducted by Nurul Islam Mithu, National Secretary Publications and Nasiruddin Millat, National Secretary, Sanaat-o-Tejarat.

Press Conference:

At 11:00 A.M a Press Conference was organized by Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Brahmanbaria to formally announce and publish the news of Centenary Celebration. Muhtaram National Ameer sahib presided over the meeting. Maolana Nawshad Ahmad recited from the Holy Qur’an and then Muhtaram National Ameer sahib read out the “theme paper”.

After that, a documentary “One Community One Leader” was showed to journalist in short form. Then general discussions and Question & Answer session took place. Maolana Abdul Awwal Khan Chowdhury, Muballigh In-charge and Naib National Ameer, Professor Meer Mubashsher Ali, Naib National Ameer and National Ameer Mubasher ur Rahman sahib answered the various questions of journalists. There were about 37 (thirty seven) journalists and reporters including local representatives of 4 (four) national TV channels attended the Press Conference. Vice President and General Secretary and former General Secretary of Brahmanbaria Press Club also attended the Press Conference.

Besides explaining the purpose and background of our Centenary Celebration, we also have explained and answered various questions raised by the journalists, such as Amadiyya Belief, differences between Ahmadis and non-Ahmadi Muslims, reason of having separate mosques and Imam, Jihad, success and achievements of Amadiyyat, etc. We also appealed to the journalists to create public awareness for getting back 4 Ahmadiyya mosques being forcibly occupied by Mullahs since 1987 in Brahmanbaria, Bhadughar, Ghatura and Kharampur.

The journalists were also presented with the Bangla translation of Huzur Aqdas’ Friday Sermon of 21st September and Address at Capitol Hill and other literatures.

Alhamdulillah, it was a unique and rare occasion to talk and convey the real message of Ahmadiyyat to such a good number of journalists, especially in Brahmanbaria, the birth place of Ahmadiyya Jama’at in Bangladesh, where in present days people are usually scared to know about Ahmadiyyat due to strong opposition.

Press Conference

Ameer sahib of Brahmanbaria Janab Manzur Hossain also set on the dais and the program was conducted by Ahmad Tabshir Choudhury, In-charge, MTA, Bangladesh. Allah showered enormous blessings to make this historic occasion a grand success. All praise goes to almighty Allah.

Finally, this is to inform you all that the Centenary Celebration of Establishment of Jama’at in Bangladesh will be observed throughout the year in 2013 insha Allah. The main centenary program will be our 89th Jalsa Salana, which is going to take place on 8th, 9th and 10th February, 2013 (Friday, Saturday & Sunday). We invite you all to our Jalsa Salana and request for prayers.

Formal Establishment of Ahmadiyyat Muslim Jama’at in Bengal:

Though Baiat in mass scale started from 25th November, 1912, but the iInstitution of Jama’at was established in 1913. In 1913, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih I (Ra) sent Hadhrat Dr. Mufti Muhammad Sadeq sahib (Ra.), the great companion of Hadhrat Masih Maud (AS) to Brahmanbaria to establish a Jama’at. Hadhrat Mufti sahib came and formed the Institution of Jama’at (Nizam-e-Jama’at) and made Hadhrat Syed Abdul Wahed sahib as first President and Janab Dawlat Khan Munshi sahib as General Secretary of Anjuman-e-Ahmadiyya, Brahmanbaria. This is how the Jama’at in Bangladesh started its journey. Later in 1916 Anjuman for entire Bengal was established and Hadhrat Syed Abdul Wahed sahib (Rahe.) was made the First Ameer of all Bengal Jama’at.

This may also be mentioned here that Hadhrat Maolana Syed Abdul Wahed sahib had been communicating with Hadhrat Masih Maud (AS) through letters since 1902. Hadhrat Masih Maud (AS) mentioned some of those correspondences in his famous book “Baraheene-e-Ahmadiyya” Vol. 5. Commenting on Syed sahib, Huzur (AS) mentioned in one of his letters that he was getting “soothing smells” from Bengal.

However, Syed sahib couldn’t take Baiat during the lifetime of Hadhrat Masih Maud (AS). But he continued extensive study on Ahmadiyyat. He was also communicating with contemporary other Muslims scholars/Ulamas who were mostly anti-Ahmadiyyat. He also met some of them on his way to Qadian. Finally, with his complete satisfaction he reached Qadian and took Baiat on 8th November, 1912 at the hands of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih I (Ra.). Three more persons from Bangladesh who accompanied Hadhrat Maolana sahib also accepted Ahmadiyyat at that time. They were: Qari Delwar Ali sahib, Janab Emdad Ali Chowdhury sahib and Janab Dhonu Munshi sahib. All of them also belonged to Brahmanbaria area. After staying few days at Qadian, Maolana sahib returned to Brahmanbaria and stated taking Baiat on 25th November, 1912. May Allah reward them all with His choicest blessings and raised their status in the Heaven, Ameen.

This may also be mentioned here that in February, 1905 Hadhrat Masih Maud (AS) received a revelation that, “Ahle Bangala ki nizbat jo hokum jari kia gia tha, aab unki diljuyee hogi” (Tadhkera). This is also a great honor and privilege for the Bengalese. Alhamdulillah.

We request you all, kindly remember Bangladesh in your prayers.

Source: Ahmad Tabshir Choudhury, In-charge: MTA International Bangladesh Studios & Secretary, Audio-Visual Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Dhaka, Bangladesh

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